I don't suppose the Brazilian team is really from Ipanima, but I thought it was a cute title. I was told to look for interesting things for the "Roving Reporters", so when an unfamiliar accent popped up at the pre-ride vet check I thought, "What could be more interesting than that?"
I spoke with the Brazilian teams head crew-man, Jerson, while his charges went through the check. Lica, Mariana and Leo, along with their crew flew in to town Monday to be introduced to the horses they would be riding. Dominic Freeman was kind enough to supply three very healthy looking steeds to the trio. This is Leo's second Tevis, and Lica and Mariana's first. Mariana has only been riding endurance for a couple of years, but it's been about ten years of insanity for the other two.
It wasn't hard figuring out what Jeron was saying as soon as I remembered my high school Spanish classes and changed the way the vowels are pronounced. Leo was getting a laugh out of my confusion and I couldn't help but say everyone should be speaking English just to make it easier for us language challenged (I have trouble understanding American accents too). Anyway, I didn't see the girls, but Leo is gorgeous, Jerson is very handsome, and the other crew-men are to die for. I want to move to Brazil!
Good luck to all.