Monday July 19, 2010

We had our officials' clinic this morning.  No big shakes.  This year, most of the clinic emphasis has been on three issues: administering the ‘clinch' in both styles; defining ‘fleeing the mat' or ‘fleeing the hold'; and protocol for the video challenge.

There are around 80 officials here, which will put 20 on each mat.  That means you don't many chances to be seen.  Some view that as a good thing, because you don't have as many chances to screw up.  I am not of that mind set, which I'm sure does not surprise you.

Last night, the organizers took us out in the country for dinner.  We were at the estate of a family called the Lazar Brothe

rs.  They are known for producing World Champion Show Horses.  Nice place!

The crowd included the members of the FILA Bureau, who are here for the prelude meetings of their upcoming Congress in Moscow.  All of the officials and team leaders were invited.  Many of the local people who make up the Organizing Committee brought the group to a total of about 200.

After drinking a toast with the Hungarian native drink, called Palinka, we had a large hours dourves kind of plate out on a huge patio.  Most of us thought this was dinner.  We were wrong!

We had champagne and moved down to the arena for the show.  We saw ‘four in hand' carriages, Medieval warrior riding, ox-drawn carts and a variety of, what I would call, trick riding.  Much different that what we think of as a ‘horse show', in the states, this was a pleasant cultural perspective.

Moving back to the patio, we found out we were in for the real dinner.  Wow!  With several types of meats and side dishes, this was a real feast.  At the advice of some of my Hungarian friends, I focused on the traditional Goulash.  It was wonderful.

We got back to the hotel and pulled up the draws for the first four Greco weights today.  If you haven't already, follow Gary, Jason, Craig, in their front page articles.  They will give you links to updated brackets.  I will give my focus to more of a ‘color commentary'.

OK, then.  I'm off to borrow Jerry's travel iron and tackle a pile of light blue shirts.  The arena here is huge, but not air-conditioned.  So, we'll go through some shirts.  We start tomorrow at 1:00.

PS... Those draws look favorable for our American four.  This is one of the most talented groups of Greco Juniors we've produced in a while.  Keep high hopes... or maybe I should stay with Fraser's line... "Expect to win with relentless intensity".

Ciao