Coupe Formation 3 Saverne

Talia did the first part of her "coupe formation 3" yesterday in Saverne, a pretty town about 40 minutes north of here. 

http://www.strasbourg-grs.fr/new/index.php?p=seenews&nid=355

Some of the photos are not great quality. I think I need to check the settings but I noticed that a lot of parents had major SLR contraptions because this is not an easy sport to photograph. The first picture is a professional shot I stole off the Strasbourg GRS site. 

I also did not do that bun. Her coach did and it was a piece of art. It's still firmly in her hair over 24 hours later, without much hair spray I have to admit. What was amusing was there was one move with the ball where all the buns got in the way. They should have made them higher and practiced with them in place first. We'll know for next time! 

They did three "elements"; the ribbon, the ball and the floor (called "free hands" in French). There are also the hoop and clubs in RG which they'll do next time at the second stage of the CF3.

Warming up. Our girls are in pink and you can see some other leotards with other clubs.

A few PSP's and DS's kept the brothers busy during the long wait to go on while the girls warmed up and primped. 

Talia going on for the ribbon.

Talia finishing with the ball. Notice they changed positions which also meant changing judges. 

Talia coming on the floor at the very end (sort of like a retreat in Drum Corps). The two girls in front, Ela and Alexa have a slightly different leotard. These are furnished by the club, at no expense to us. Unlike in the States, where I understand RG girls are expected to buy their own and wear a different one to each competition, the French are a little more frugal. You see the same leotards being reworn to different events. If two girls show up in slightly different leotards because there weren't ones in their size, too bad! 

See, I told you that it was just like a retreat! No "Send in the Clowns" though... (Drum Corps friends will get this).

Then for something Completely Different (any Monty Pithon fans around?) 

Daniel wanted to show us the horses they collected for the SPA (SPCA in France). The owner had to be hospitalized and these poor beasts were underfed when they got them. So sad as you could see their ribs. We took some time to feed them.  Daniel says horses can eat all the time if you let them and not get too upset that they were so hungry.

The one male with all his parts was kept separately from the females and geldings. There was also a billy goat running around, complete with beard which at first, Davina was scared of but then thought was cute and wanted to pet it. He didn't look to "pet-able" though and he was smelly.

Still with her make-up and bun! 

Then we stopped at the other barn to check out the Charolais cows, about 200 of them. This was mirrored on the other side. Just a lot of cows! 

Some smaller ones.

Cows smell! I think this family tradition is coming to an end with my kids. Daniel is a 4th generation cow merchant but I don't think it's any of their callings...