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ing at the Games. They practice all types of gymnastic exer- cises on oxers, verticals, liverpools and triple bars, so they are familiar with everything and will not be surprised at the Games. We also try to concentrate on the horse’s weaknesses and try to improve their performance. The horses do basic dressage movements, such as collection, going forward and then bringing them back, to insure that they behave well between jumps. We do not set-up a mock course. To relieve aching muscles and bones, they receive heat, massage, ultra- sound, electromagnetic blanket and chiropractic therapies. Their chiropractor was flown in from the U.S. this week and will stay with them during the Games.


WT: Do you change your horses’ diet for the Games? BM: No, we keep to the same regime. They are on a


low protein feed and timothy hay. They have their diet formulated by a major animal feed manufacturer on a yearly basis. Each feed is made specifically for a particular horse, based on weight, breed and body condition. All the feeds contain anti-oxidants. They are given Vitamin E daily and electrolyte supplementation as needed to pre- vent dehydration.


WT: Which of your horses are you taking to the Games? BM: We are taking Cortes ‘C’ (by Randel Z and Orchidee


Van de Tombeele by Darco). He is at the peak of his perfor- mance level and is jumping beautifully. He is known for his distinctive legs crossed jumping style. His nickname is “Tiny” even though he is the largest horse in the barn. In his next life, he will probably be a dog! He follows you around, nuzzles you and loves pats and hugs.


WT: How do you prepare yourself to ride


in the Final Four? It’s an amazing challenge, riding three strange horses at this level of competition! You only have three minutes with each horse, to familiarize yourself with his/her characteristics and two practice jumps. BM: If I am lucky enough to make the


Final Four.


WT: You are going to make it!! BM: I have been in the Final Four before


in Aachen 2006. This gives me a rough idea of what to expect. I do not consider myself to be the world’s best catch rider, but I have ridden a lot of horses and the jumps will be lowered in the Final Four. These horses are the best in the world and they will have been ridden well all week to reach this level. I have seen these horses perform at other competitions and observed their individual characteristics and needs. You just have to get on the horse’s back and think about the


fact that you are riding one of the world’s best horses. My husband John and our coach Robert Ridland will have some input too.


WT: Once you know who the other riders and their respective horses will be, are you going to look at the video tapes of their performances in the first and second round of the individual qualifiers? BM: Yes.


WT: Thank you for the interview today and the best of luck at the Games!!


Author’s note: Now, all is history from the Games. Beezie and Cortes ‘C’ earned the bronze medal in both the team and individual competitions. I was riding with her in the stands on the first day of individual competition, willing her and Tiny over each jump. That day she had four faults, while everyone else had at least that. She had made the Final Four! At that evening’s press conference, I con-


gratulated her on her success, and I patted her on the shoulder saying, “See I told you so! You


made it to the Final Four!” Then I wished her good luck for the next day. In her first Final Four round with Tiny, they were clear. But on the other


three competitors’ horses she had four faults for each round. Despite the faults, it was still a great—and medal winning—accomplishment. Her partner, Cortes ‘C,’ won the distinctive award “Horse of the Games” with four clear rounds in the Final Four and only one fault for the entire show jumping competition, both team and individual. Beezie was next headed to the Spruce Meadows Masters in Calgary, Alberta, for the Cana- dian Pacific Railway $1.5 Million Grand Prix on September 14. There she planned to ride either Coral Reef Via Volo or Simon. Her WEG partner Tiny went to his European home at Stahl Heins for a well deserved rest.


Warmbloods Today 19


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