Last fall when I learned that the Green Schools National Conference, which I present at annually, was being held in Palm Beach in February, I let out a hoop and did a little “happy dance.” My excitement wasn’t due to the fact that it would be warm in Florida versus most certainly frigid in New England, or that beautiful, white sandy beaches waited. No, my first and only thought at the moment was: WELLINGTON! I can finally make it to “The SHOW!”
For Phelpssports readers who are over 40, baseball fans, or both, you may recall the 1980s movie “Bull Durham.” In a nutshell, Kevin Costner stars as “Crash” Davis, a veteran catcher brought in to teach misfit apprentice pitcher Ebby Calvin “Nuke” Galosh (Tim Robbins) about the game in an effort to prep and get him to the Majors, or as Costner refers to it, “The Show.” Baseball groupie Annie Savoy (Susan Sarandon) romances Nuke but finds herself increasingly attracted to Crash. In any event, you know Kevin ends up with the girl, as he always does and really, why shouldn’t he? I mean who could forget the bathtub scene– candles and all?
But I digress.
In my rendition of this story-line, “The Show,” is Wellington, with me as the novice athlete with grand prix aspirations. As one can imagine, I have been planning for the WEF horse shows ever since I first heard about them three years ago. But alas, for one reason or another, my going never seemed to pan out. That is, until now. Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t actually plan on competing at “The Show” this year. I admit to having big dreams, but I’m not delusional (though some may disagree), having just taken up the sport only a few years back.
So with the enthusiasm that one can only get in anticipation of watching the best riders and horses compete at one of the best show jumping venues, I finalize my plans— adding a full 24 hours to my tight conference schedule. Sadly, with two young kids to care for and a business to run, I do not have the luxury of any more time than this. But happily— I will take it!
When I arrive at the Palm Beach airport, I upgrade my rental to a sporty red cross-over and head straight to Wellington. I booked a hotel there as opposed to one near the conference so as to not waste any of my limited time driving. So I pass on the luxuries of the Palm Beach Ritz-Carlton in lieu of the convenience of local lodging. I arrive at The Stadium in record time where I proceed to spend a glorious sun-filled afternoon watching the $30,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup, while mixing it up with riders and spectators alike from all over the world.
Previous photos at the WEF grand prix at The Stadium
That night I mix it up with the locals shooting ‘stick’ and listening to rock-n-roll so loud it would rival a Justin Beiber concert (this I can personally attest to having been with my eleven year-old daughter last summer). I have a total blast—winning best three out of five.
The next morning’s weather proves just as beautiful as I grab a breakfast sandwich and head over to watch my girlfriend from back home, Mindy, compete in a 1.1 meter class. Upon congratulating her for an excellent ride, I make my way over to the International Arena to watch Cian O’Connor compete. After which, he graciously sits down with me to answer a few questions for my April column (check out his great advice for me next month!).
Left: Mindy ready to compete (with trainer Cormac Kennedy).
From there I catch up with my show jumping mentor, Peter Leone and spend the afternoon watching him work with his clients. It is so great to hear Peter’s insights first-hand, as he guides rider after rider, through course after course. Wow, what an education! I can only dream that one day Peter will be directing me around a course of fences at Wellington.
But it ends as quickly as it began, and I find myself back on the highway heading to the conference. I arrive just in time to catch the opening ceremony, but as I wind my way through the crowd to find a seat in the overflowing auditorium, I am not thinking about the event or the speakers or even about my presentation the next morning. My all-consuming thought is: “When can I next make it back to ‘The Show?’
