[pp]2011 Pan American Games volunteer with the pink hat collecting scores from the judges after each round.(photo: Diana de Rosa)

While our camera lenses were focused on capturing the best shots and the judges were focused on correctly scoring every move, our eyes were also wandering around noticing those little things that make a Pan American Games, well a Pan Am Games. There was the volunteer with the pink hat who collected the scores from the judges after each round. In the stands were the spectators who were cuddled up under umbrellas to protect themselves from the sun. In between classes were the crew who watered down the arena.

Spectators cuddled up under umbrellas to protect themselves from the sun.(photo: Diana de Rosa)

Then there were the cool comments from the other photographers, like the one who overheard someone say. “They could have let the Americans save money and just Fedexed them the Gold.” Actually not a surprising comment after watching U.S. rider after U.S. rider put in some very solid tests in both the Prix St. Georges and Intermediaire I.

There were others things; such as a huge police presence inside the arena as well as outside. It hopefully is deterring those that may have thought of this as a great picnic ground for thievery. So far there haven’t been any problems that we’ve heard of.

The helicopter that seemed to drop down low at all the wrong times.(photo: Diana de Rosa)

There were some big things too – like the helicopter that seemed to drop down low at all the wrong times and did so during Cesar’s ride in the Prix St. Georges. Fortunately Grandioso seemed totally unfazed by this big machine hovering over him.

Food was definitely an issue at first for the press. There was none in the press room for the first couple of days and finding anything substantial to eat was tough. At one location behind where the photographers were photographing the caterers had their juice bar set up and there was some clanging going on. When a few of us were spotted facing them they thought we were upset about the noise but it was the thought of getting some of their orange juice that had captured the attention of the media. These were some pretty hungry photographers looking their way. However, by Monday, the second day of competition, food was freely available.

Silvia Regina Roesch Galvez ended her ride with the nicest smile of everyone. As if to support her enthusiasm, her mount Caracol XXIV added his own smile and a whinny to show his happiness.(photo: Diana de Rosa)

Watching the joy of each competitor as they finished their rides was the most fun to watch. You could see how thrilled they were just to have completed their rides at a Pan American Games. Silvia Regina Roesch Galvez is one such rider. In the Prix St. Georges, she ended her ride with the nicest smile of everyone. As if to support her enthusiasm, her mount Caracol XXIV added his own smile and a whinny to show his happiness.

Venezuelan Beatriz Torbay Acevedo was psyched when she finished her ride on Don Royal and gave him the biggest hug with a supporting smile.(photo: Diana de Rosa)

Venezuelan Beatriz Torbay Acevedo was psyched when she finished her ride on Don Royal and gave him the biggest hug with a supporting smile. There was an interesting atmosphere as well with dancing music being pumped in between the breaks. Those 15 minute breaks came after every eight riders, with an hour break for lunch for the Prix St. Georges and for Intermediaire 1 there were half hour breaks, two hours for lunch and six riders in each group. A total of 47 riders took their turn in the Prix St. Georges and that was narrowed down to 25 for the I1 and the range of expertise varied from the lowest score at 58+ to the highest of 80+.

There’s still one more day to go with a free day in between. On Wednesday the Guadalajara Country Club will be a sea of music as the top 15 riders go one more round to see who will win those Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals, which may be an issue. As it stands now the three American riders could possibly take the top three spots but there is some controversy as to whether they would be able to take all three medals OR if in fact each country is allowed to claim no more than two medals. No one seems to know the rule on that here in Guadalajara and so there is a bit of research going on. As it stands now we are being told that if you win, you win.

I guess we’ll find out when the medals are placed around the necks of the winners on October 19th for the final day of Dressage at the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, MX.