Star Gazing in London

During the last month my husband and I moved from New York to Tryon NC, at the edge of the Blue Ridge mountains.? it’s been a frantic for us, to say the least, and we’re not yet quite settled in.? But I’m already pointing toward my next big challenge, working for the Associated Press at the London Olympics, covering the equestrian events.

This past weekend, while judging at Lake Erie College in Painesville OH. I learned that my job in London has become even more interesting, since Ann Romney?s mare Rafalca and rider Jan Ebeling were named to the U.S. dressage team.? It will mean, among things, some heavy-duty celebrity watching there since the granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth, Zara Phillips, has also been named to the British eventing team.

In the past, celebrities have pretty much flown under the radar at the Olympic equestrian events.? In Sydney, I recall sitting right next to Princess Anne while watching monitors of the cross-country event.? But that won?t likely be the case at London with queens and presidential candidates (not to mention a Boss ? Bruce Springsteen has said that he might be there to spectate with his daughter Jessica) and their security crews in attendance.

I have high expectations for our dressage team to score well, but I think a medal will be out of reach with the Dutch and especially the British challenging German dressage dominance over the last few years.? Steffen Peters, however, has a real shot at individual medal if all goes well for him.

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