Day One at the Olympic Games

It’s been crazy as I landed from one fire (NAJYRC) into another - trying to get my brain to switch over and into Games mode. 

So far it has been great. Considering it started by me flying from Lexington to Chicago to Boston to Washington, DC to London in one day. It’s a complicated story without a really logical explanation but ground stops in Chicago = desperate. The UNITED staff couldn’t have been more accommodating and they worked it out every step of the way. Landing as part of the Olympic family means you fly through the airport and we wanted for nothing as I was through and out in less than an hour. 

I spent yesterday running around getting the lay of the land watching the horses train and tying to get my head around being back at the Olympics. We walked the course which was pretty spectacular - not the scopiest track I’ve ever seen but there is plenty to do - it reminds me of Red Hills, lots of jumping and turning. The time will be a mega factor. 

After a low-key dinner in the hotel with Christy Baxter, Fiona Tibone and Richard Picken, we were joined for ridiculous laughs by Will Connell, who is the British Chef d’Mission and has is own blog... http://equestrianteamgbr.blogspot.co.uk/

This morning we were gearing up for the jog for the eventers. The stables look great thanks largely to Dougie Hannum - Americana decorator extraordinaire. Sharing the aisle with the Canadians and three Italian stalls sandwiched in between makes for a lively aisle. All of the horses look spectacular - they seem to be thriving in the weather and relished their time at Lavender Hill. Their grooms have them looking awesome. They all jogged very well in the main arena - a spectacular setting with the skyline behind it. 

Because the USA drew first - we were done just after 11 am. The dressage riders showed up as they are going to Opening Ceremonies and we got on the bubble to bubble bus and headed to the Olympic Village. It is really cool to wander around the Village, there are athletes everywhere and they are truly in all shapes and sizes. The British Jumping riders were kicking around there as tourists. Steffen, Jan, Tina and Adrienne are spending the night in the village after Opening Ceremonies and then will head to the Main Press Center tomorrow at 9 AM for a pre-competition press conference. 

We are going to try to see them on TV. 

The dressage horses arrive on the venue tomorrow afternoon.

Will Coleman's Olympic Selection Jams

These 20 songs got Will from Virginia to England, through the Mandatory Outing at Barbury Castle, and through a long day of vet evaluations, deliberations and finally - being named to the 2012 Olympic Eventing Team. 


1. Congratulations by MGMT
2. Ahead of the Curve by Monsters of Folk
3. All The Best by My Morning Jacket
4. The Handshake by MGMT
5. Money Saves by Delta Spirit
6. So He Won't Break by The Black Keys
7. Welcome to the World of the Plastic Beach by The Gorillaz
8. Patience by Guns N' Roses
9. Take Me With You When You Go by Jack White
10. Excitable Boy by Warren Zevon
11. Wrecking Ball by Gillian Welch
12. The Man Who Would Speak True by Blitzen Trapper
13. Off The Record by My Morning Jacket, Okonokos
14. Missing Pieces by Jack White
15. Guess I'm Doing Fine by Beck
16. Race For The Prize by The Flaming Lips
17. La La La by Deer Tick
18. Dry The Rain by Beta Band
19. All You Ever Wanted by The Black Keys
20. Wordless Chorus by My Morning Jacket