The Highs and Lows of Norway

8:00 a.m. wake up, breakfast at 9 and by 10 we were on our way to Jarlsberg's track at 11 for a lunch before the races and a short briefing from the officials

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It was off to work I go, warming up the trotters and one coldblood. The first race I finished fifth - got pushed high in the last turn, but that happens, and he raced really well. So I thought it was a good start to the day! Boy, was I wrong!!!

The second race was the coldbloods AGAIN. My understanding was you hold the bit hard in their mouth, or so our interpreter told me! But turns out I might need a new interpreter, because Jason Bartlett and I and a few others had these ponies making so much noise it sounded like hot rods on the street with loud mufflers. These poor horses weren't getting much air, and we're looking at each other saying 'boy, they sure are noisy little buggers, aren't they?' Here they're getting driven the wrong way...

Anyway, I did poorly for rest of the races, but on the other hand I've met so many nice people - especially this one kid, as soon as I saw him I knew he was special and I was right. He was and is a top driver there and had been for the last two or three years, he is 12 years old and he drives in pony races. Great kid. I'd expect to hear his name around soon. I say that because I got my picture with him and my daughters would like some with me removed from them, and because these people love their animals - you could look at any of them anywhere and see that, so I'm sure he's being molded into quite a horsemen.

Hopefully tomorrow I can put my name to it and catapult Canada 'Forward'. We arrived back in Oslo for the Trotting Conference at 8:00 p.m. We had shrimp stew to start, and well, I had it to stare at...then out came the main course. Scallops, potatoes and prime rib! I know. I know. I'm making your mouth water, right? Well I really do love prime rib...only the chef must have thought we were going to the zoo tomorrow, and wanted raw meat to feed the tigers.

Tomorrow we get to see the King and Queen of Norway during the parade - they say it is quite the sight.