So, I didn’t intend to leave you guys hanging on Friday. It was working out pretty well to where I’d get back to our accommodations in the evening, I’d put up a blog post, and the time difference would make things line up just fine.
Until Friday.
What happened Friday? Well, it was the first day that we were at Bundeschampionate, for one. And we met up with Gerd, the breeder of one of Michelle’s mares, who had a horse competing there in the dressage. Like pretty much everyone else we met along the way, we were fast friends, and he quickly took us under his German wing. Mostly at the wine bar. Germans plus alcohol… can you see where this is going?
For most of the day we were on our own while Gerd was with his horse, so we spent a long time hitting up the trade fair (omg, it seriously rivaled Rolex)
then watched a little bit of everything – jumper ponies, jumper horses, XC, and dressage – and got ourselves oriented to the facility. There were A LOT of rings and a lot going on.
At the end of the day we rendezvoused with Gerd again, expecting a quick little chat in the ringside tent over a glass of wine. Ah, that’s cute. Somehow it morphed into a 6 hour wine bar extravaganza where we made a whole lot of brand new German BFF’s and somehow ended up at the rider’s party, which was complete with some serious lights and dance music. Oh, and currywurst, which is super good at midnight with some pommes. The things you learn at BuCha.
Long story short, this is why no blog post on Friday, since we ended up being at BuCha for like… 16 hours total. The next morning was painful too, so I just didn’t have it in me. We learned really quickly that we cannot keep up with the Germans.
But hey, how often do you get to hang out with a bunch of REALLY good breeders (and riders), IN Warendorf, AT Bundeschampionat, drinking wine and attempting to speak some really broken German? The lost sleep was totally worth it.
Oh, and what did I get at the trade fair?
Exactly what I was looking for! Henry got some fancy leather bell boots, too… he’ll model them soon.
breedrideevent.com 
Omg that sounds like fun!! Also, I really wanna hear this 3yo dressage stallion rant!
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who would have thought you of all people would have been sidelined by WINE? LOL. Glad you had fun and yes it was very quiet a few days without you. Glad you are on way back (or back now)?? Can’t wait to see more photos and hear more about it!! Did you wear your new boots back? LOL
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Sounds like a bunch of fun! Seriously, tho, wine drinking far outweighs blog posts LOL
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Are you going to post later your rant about dressage stallions? If not, I request an overview rant if not a pick-apart of each one. 🙂
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Ok, you’re forgiven for your bad bloggerness because that sounds like the best damn Friday ever, ever, ever. Well done. I salute thee.
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Sounds like an amazing time! So glad you found your new boots too!
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Currywurst und Fritten are the best! Especially after some partying and alcohol.
I too would like to hear the rant. Though, knowing how they are shown st the BuCha I think I can at least imagine the direction this is going. Imo it is not exclusively a dressage problem though.
Please, rant away.
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Omg so much fun. Although those next mornings, rough.
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Let’s hear the rant! Probably share a lot of the same opinions.
Looks like a smashing good time and those boots…
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Ugh I’m so jealous hat sounds SO fun and those boots are to fucking die for.
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What brand ARE those boots?!? Wowsa!
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Ego7
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I’m surprised that they had 3 yo classes. I always thought that Europeans were much more sensible about how early they started their horses.
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They do a better job in general, but they definitely start them at 2 or 3 and have them showing o/f at 4. The 3yo’s pretty much just w/t/c around the ring and then did a conformation portion, similar to a materiale class.
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