The trip to La Baule

The airport waiting room was in a festive mood in San Francisco. KLM & Air France were celebrating their merger (cookies all around)?.and simultanneously this was to be the final flight for our retiring captain. We landed almost 10 hours later under a canopy of water as offered by the local fire department water guns and with applause from the passengers and staff for our Captain.

The fast train (TVG) sped me from Paris to Nantes in 2 smooth hours, while the landscape changed from urban Paris to the growing center of France. The sky was so filled with puffy clouds, it looked as if we were inside a giant popcorn popper. The large view windows of the train car revealed brilliant colors of new green wheat, rain-boot yellow safflower and white Charolais cattle. At Nantes, I changed to the local train to La Baule. I am always impressed by the efficiency of the French train system. This car was brand new, and almost as smooth to ride in as the TGV.

My hosts, as arranged by French journalist, Joycelyn Bécé, were there to greet me and take me home to dinner. Jean-Claude and Marie-Hélene live in the 14th century village of Guérande, just 10 km from La Baule, where three of the endurance vet stops will be held. They generously had opened their home to me, agreed to make sure I got some sleep and point me in the direction of the Equestrian Center at La Baule.

Though sunny today, it is still cool here on the Atlantic Coast of France, with a stiff breeze. If the weather is like this tomorrow, the day of the ride, it should make for excellent riding conditions.

The resort town of La Baule has the air of a grand dame from another era. The ride tomorrow begins in front of the Hotel Barriére, a grand hotel in the old style, more like old Long Island then new Miami Beach. It is about 4 km from the Equestrian Center, and is surrounded by old Brittany style homes, many with the wood beams that were the style when they were built several centuries ago, and used mostly by people who live here only during their weekends and vacations.

The expansive white sand beach (9 km) is more like the Eastern Coastal beaches in the US, and truly makes a lovely wide bowl inlet. The tide was out when I was there, but it seems to be shallow for quite a ways out, with no true waves or surge, ideal for swimming and bathing. I saw cabanas and railings being painted all along the beach, in anticipation of the tourist season that will soon begin. Today, the day before the ride, the riders were taking easy gallops down the beach.

This area is known has been known for centuries for salt production, fishing and religion. It has added tourism to the list, and I am told that the price for a house is almost as high as in Paris.

The ride trail visits some of the charming surrounding areas - from Guérande, with it's 14th century stone walled village center, to Penistin and on to Herbignac with the medieval Chateau of Ranrouet, the riders will have a lovely view of the Brittany countryside.

Friday afternoon - on to the Vet-In...I had to to pass on the fresh oysters they were serving in the press room (lack of time) and head to the trot -out paddock, which happens to be a nearrby lovely park among the surrounding houses, I immediately run into Dr. Dane Frazier from the US. He was extremely genial as is his habit, and very complimentary of his treatment by the highly organized, Organizing Committee. Dr. Frazier is here as one of the 9 veterinarians from as many countries, as a line vet...he said, "his favorite job".

The first surprising news is that the UAE is now sending only 1 rider, Mohammed Ali Al Shafar. There is no official statement as to why last year's winner, Sh Rashi, will not defend his title, nor the rest of the Royal family make an appearance. That leaves the number of starters at 40, and the French have the obvious advantage of home turf and numbers. Indeed, French Chef d'equipe, Pierre Cazes, said the French Team's challenge will be the other French riders … as all the Frencch riders will be riding their best, looking to win a place on the WEG team for Dubai.

The horses looked good, in great form, many with the shiny coats of good health. I'll send the final starter list as soon as it is available.

Until then. A la prochaine fois, Pamela

[More to come]