Posted Thursday, June 1, 2006 - 4:52 EST

CDI***/Y Dressage at Raleigh Off to a Rocky Start
On the Scene for DressageDaily by Sue Smithson

It’s move-in day at the CDI***/Y Raleigh. The fact that the Raleigh Hurricanes made it to game seven in the Stanley Cup semi-finals means that tonight’s sellout game at the RBC Center will gridlock traffic in front of the show grounds.

But that minor inconvenience is eclipsed by the tragedy that struck yesterday. Show manager Janine Malone’s husband, John Malone, died suddenly and unexpectedly from a massive coronary. All day Tuesday he was at the show grounds, unloading the cargo trailer and helping Janine set up for the show. Our hearts go out to Janine, and their sons Sam and Ben.

Robert Higgins of Florida has stepped in as show manager pro tem, and all organizational details are complete, despite the overall somber mood.

The five ring show was oversubscribed before closing date, and the roster looks like a Who’s Who as Raleigh solidifies its status as a premier stop on the Eastern dressage circuit. Raliegh is the final CDI for qualifying points for the USEF Festival of Champions, and the Final Selection Trials for the USEF/Markel National Young Horse Selection Trials, Eastern Division, with a record number of entries.

As usual, though, thunderstorms are brewing off to the West and forecasted on and off all weekend. Meteorologists looking for drought busters need only plan a dressage show in Raleigh for the heavens to open…

The horses are lining up for the jog, the traffic is thickening and the thunder is rumbling. Raleigh is off to a rocky start - stay tuned for more details.

Our thoughts and prayers are with her at this difficult time. Condolences can be sent to PO Box 976, Zebulon NC 27597