My Blog

Wet, wet wet! - 24th Nov 2009


Its sooooo wet!!! I have hardly been able to ride because of the weather and how dark it is now. I can no longer ride after work and so have to try and catch the dry spells at weekends.

Missy has had her back treated twice now and is coming along nicely. Kazia who is doing it is happy with how she is reacting to treatment and she is now in gentle work again with her next back appointment actually this weekend. Missy has also had her saddle looked at and changed so I have a comfortable saddle and so does she.

Quinney is now back into work also and is coming along nicely the little cheeky pony that he is. He has also had his back looked at and Kazia will look at it again this weekend just to check he hasn't done any damage galloping around the field.

Both ponies are enjoying churning up my field galloping around in the mud and just turning brown!! Quinney is now officially a hippo not because he is fat but because he loves rolling in his mud patches!!!

Me and Mum went out for a ride on Saturday which was nice as neither pony had been ridden in the week. Both behaved well considering although both also had a bit of a jog because they were excited. O and once i had turned them out BOTH rolled in mud!!

This Saturday I have the farrier out to put shoes back onto them now they are back into work and Kazia looking at their backs. I might also have a little boy riding Quinney and taking him over a few jumps for me (my legs would knock the jumps down)

I will keep you updated with any other news as it happens.

I hope everyone is enjoying their winter break!
The end of the season - 2nd Oct 2009
The season is over now until next year. I will be doing some pairs competitions over the winter but do not know the dates for these yet.

Missy is now in light work being hacked out and having a practice in the field every now and then. She will have November off to relax and have her back looked at and then come back into work in December so in January I can start my monthly practices at Pontispool with Sam and also do the pairs that will hopefully be held before the season starts again.

I now have Quinney my other pony back and he is being treated at a special yard. He will come back to me in November, have November off with Missy and then he will start work again at the beginning of December with Missy.

Until then I will be enjoying having a relaxing time hacking Missy out and will enjoy having November off from riding and just try and recharge my batteries and bank balance ready for next season.
D&S Pairs competiton - 12th Sep 2009
Me and Samantha Willis did the pairs together on Holly and Missy. After our first heat we were winning and went into the A final in first place. Unfortunately points weren't carried on and by the last race we were 1 point behind the current winners Seran and Dean. The last race was stepping stones. This isn't my favourite race but is Sam's. She got us a good start and crossed the line at the top just ahead of Dean. I went and managed ot get across the stones and on to Missy very quickly beating Seran. This meant we finished on equal points and so we had to do a run off.

The run off was...entertaining. Sam and Dean both messed up and then so did me and Seran. Just from going to fast and having a giggle rather than concentrating. Unfortunately Seran and Dean managed to correct their mistakes quicker than us and me and Sam came second. We were still happy though as the ponies had gone well and we had ridden well together.
Intercounties Championships- The big one! - 29th Aug 2009 to 31st Aug 2009
Where do I start?

Friday morning after being packed we were on our way to Peterborough where our competition was by 10am hoping to miss all the traffic due to it being the last weekend before school and a bank holiday weekend at that. We were lucky but on our way I had a phone call from Lavinia in her team…her pony Sky had gone lame and did I know of any other ponies that she could borrow. After a lot of phoning around she found one.

Once there we did Missy’s stable and then I rode her around before settling in the lorry, having dinner, reading and having an early night.

Saturday morning we were up and rearing to go. Because Lavinia wasn’t on her pony our team changed and Sam rode with us instead. This meant all our orders changed but we still rode our best. Unfortunately we didn’t have any easy heats and so if we got everything right we still had to fight for a win in each race. We kept on working and finished Saturday on 67 which should’ve been better.

Sunday we hoped our luck would change and that we could pick up more much needed points to get into the A final. Unfortunately silly mistakes were made and we didn’t pick up as many points as we had hoped. Because this competition ran on for the whole bank holiday weekend we had the final on the Monday and so got to have an extra heat Sunday afternoon. Once again lady luck was against us and Boo a team member’s pony had gone lame. That left us with 4. We rode our socks off and pulled up some points but it just wasn’t enough. We went to bed knowing we were going into the B final in 3rd place.

On Monday we had to be tacked up by 12 for the big parade where every team parades around the arena and then the world individual champions and England team riders. Once they have done the walk around the arena everyone stands in lines in the arena and prizes get given out.

After the parade we untacked again and then watched the Junior A final. It was tight but Middlesex Red the defending champions won for the second year in a row followed my Monmouth. After the juniors it was the opens turn for the A final. Everyone was cheering and had a team they wanted to win. Beds gold went in as defending champions after winning it 3 years in a row and they were favourites to win again. Guess what…they did it!! Bedfordshire Gold have now won intercounties and so have become British champions 4 years in a row. Bedfordshire Gold won on 62 with 2nd place was Shropshire finishing on 48 followed by Warwickshire on 41.

Next it was our turn. In our second race which was tyre we got eliminated due to a line fault so that set us back. In the end after working hard we came 2nd. It turns out that if we hadn’t had the elimination we would have won though. We were still happy to have come second with only 4 ponies and a different team to what was planned.

It turns out that a Bedfordshire team won the Open A, B and C final. That’s consistency for you.

I personally came away very happy as Missy has improved even more and just keeps getting better and better. Hopefully with a winter full of training by next year we’ll be a pony and rider combo to watch out for.
UK Masters - 4th Jul 2009 and 5th Jul 2009
Saturday- Today was a nice day and we weren't in too early. Bonus. West Sussex were in at 9:30 and we weren't in until 11am so it gave us a chance to cheer them on before tacking up and riding ourselves. We rode well and Rosie was FLYING!! she is defiantly feeling well. Clive put me out one in 2 mug in the afternoon which i was worried about because Rosie's owners said she just goes and you have to do it at her speed. She did go and do it at her speed but i got it right and so was very happy! Clive my trainer on the other hand wasn't far from having a heart attack!

In the evening we all got dressed up in PINK for Sarah's 21st and had a big party for her.

Sunday- Unfortunately Boo's pony Honey has lame this morning and so we had to ride on 4. This was ok but it meant we were doing races which we wouldn't normally and it changed the orders. We still rode our best and made it into the A final in 5th place.

The final started off well with us winning the first race (Joust) but then things went down hill with Frodo having a pole down in bending and 3 out of 4 change overs in hug a mug going down. When we got it right it seemed everyone else did as well and so we ended up coming 6th with Shropshire behind us.

Fingers cross Boo's pony Honey will be ok by the Welsh champs which are the 1st and 2nd of August! Boo is giving her some time off now for her leg to rest and we are all hoping she is going to be ok.
British Individuals - 13th Jun 2009 and 14th Jun 2009
The weekend was fab. The weather was great and Missy didn’t put a foot wrong. We even won both the litter race and association. We were taking things easy and I wasn’t pushing her as I was using the weekend to help her gain more experience. That it did and she also showed me and everyone else how well she has come on. People we asking what pony I was on because she was going so well they couldn’t believe how well she was going. I came away from the competition a very happy owner.

She is being borrowed by Laura for next weekend as I will be on Rosie my other pony. Laura is the owner of Speedy who I ride when I go over to America. She lends me her pony and I am happily lending her one of mine. I’m sure her and missy will get on really well together. Im picking Laura up on Wednesday so Thursday and Friday we can practice and get everything packed before leaving for the competition Friday afternoon.
France - 23rd May 2009 to 24th May 2009
From the beginning…

We got to Dover docks at 11am planning on getting the 12 mid-day ferry. After booking onto the ferry and getting in our lane to wait we got told we couldn’t go on the ferry because it was too windy and the horse boxes couldn’t be tided down. We were given a map with where a local yard was in case we couldn’t sail at all that day. We left the ponies in the lorries and went and got some lunch at the café at the docks. We were then told we could get the 2pm ferry so on we got. On the ferry we drunk and played the card game sh*t head (I’d never heard of it and had to get taught!)
Once in France we followed the TomTom nearly all the way to where the competition would be. Frodo from my team had to get someone to drive and meet us as we got lost. After parking up and unloading we sorted the ponies out for the night, had dinner and all had an early night.

Saturday morning we weren’t in until 12:45. Our morning session didn’t go very well at all and we came out feeling a little deflated. Our afternoon session went abit better with us finishing the day in 8th place. We had pulled up but it still wasn’t good enough for the A final just yet as only the top 5 teams went into the A final. West Sussex were happy because they were running 7th and were 2 points ahead of us! They took a picture of the score sheets to prove it.
Saturday evening we all got dressed up and got lifts to the local village hall where dinner was provided for all teams. We had a good giggle drinking and socialising.

Sunday morning we were on earlier and our morning session went MUCH better. We then had to wait and see if we had done enough to make the A final. Nearly! We had to do a run off with 2 other teams to make the A final. West Sussex were in the B final and the other English team ‘Kent’ already in the A final. We all got tacked up ready for the run off race which was 5 flag. It is very much a speed race and I was happy to be sitting out and letting the other 4 do it as it was very nerve raking. The flag went and we were off. One team missed their first put in so it was us neck a neck with the other French team. Then they missed their change over!!!! We couldn’t believe our luck. The French always went for it and would either get it right or wrong but at a very fast speed luckily they got it wrong and our team could just cruse it making sure they didn’t mess up which they didn’t. The B final was a tough final and we were all there cheering on West Sussex. Unfortunately for them all the other teams rode just as well as they did so it was a tough one. Also Becky couldn’t ride Ellie as she has a sore so they were on 4. They kept at it though and did themselves proud.
Then it was our turn in the A final, going in in last place. Luckily the final starts from zero so we were in with a fighting chance. The races started well. Then we had the postmans race. We won it! JUST! But then a team wanted a recall because their sack had a hole in. We were SURE we wouldn’t be able to win it for a second but we worked hard and won it by even more!!! We were happy. Clive needed to know what we points were because they were being read out in French. We were going into the last race in the lead. We couldn’t be caught!!! Good job because Lavinia who went one pulled out all the flags on her lift (I think she did it on purpose because it didn’t matter! haha) off I went last for the team but had to pull up because Bret in Kent’s pony’s had hurt itself. We had won but the victory was over shadowed by our concern for Bret’s pony.
We had our prize giving and stood on a podium with the GB national anthem playing!! It was amazing.
After we went back to the camp and did the ponies and then relaxed. Our celebration didn’t last long though as we heard Bret’s pony had to be put down due to fracturing its leg!

Monday morning we were up and packing! Then we went to the docks by 1pm to get the 2pm ferry. We got told it was too windy and to go back at 3. so we sat around playing cards until 3. then we were told it was STILL too windy so we had to go to a local yard and stay the night. Tuesday morning we were told they wouldn’t take ponies on bored because of the wind and that it looked like would get worse all week. We were not impressed. We all just wanted to get home. We made the best out of a bad situation though and on the Tuesday some of us did some show jumping in the arena whilst others hacked out.

Wednesday morning we were up at 5:45 to get to the docks by 7am and get the 8am ferry. The birds were singing and the wind had died down loads. We were soooo happy. Once there we booked in and got onto the ferry. What a relief. We had breakfast on the ferry and then all went to sleep. Once the ferry was docking at Dover we all said a farewell to each other and made our way to our lorry’s. We had had an amazing weekend competing and it geared us up for our next competition. Chris has offered Bret his spare pony so we shall see what happens.

MGA is like a big family though and we all try to help others when we can.
Spring Champs - 24th Apr 2009 and 25th Apr 2009
Saturday: we weren’t in until 11:50 which was nice. It meant we could stay in bed longer. It started to rain at about 9am and we were worried it wouldn’t stop but it did thank god and we had dry weather for the rest of the weekend. Both our sessions went well and we finished the day feeling happy with how the ponies were going.

Sunday: we were in at 9:30 am this morning which wasn’t nice at all. We had a good morning session though and ended on a positive note. After our heat we had to sit around waiting for the rest of the open heats to finish so we could find out which final we had made. It turned out we had made the A final going in in 5th place.
Our first race went well which was bending. Missy did the best bending she had ever done and we started as we wanted to go on. We all worked hard through out the final and in the last race which was joust the Sussex team gave it their all. The final was quick and one of the best I had seen, never mind taken part in. We were stood around not knowing who had come where as we’d been concentrating on the races we had forgotten to listen to the points. Shropshire had won!!! Bedfordshire 2nd. Third place went to…SUSSEX! We were thrilled because we weren’t the fastest team out there but we knew if we kept consistent we’d pick up points and we did. We couldn’t have been happier as we didn’t have all the ponies which we were planning on using this season.

We have started the season as we mean to go on!
Thame County Show - 11th Apr 2009 to 13th Apr 2009
Thame weekend was a great show which we all enjoyed.

The weather on the other hand wasn't great. It seemed that everywhere apart from at Thame had nice weather. We had on/ off rain ALL weekend. The only time we saw the sun was on Monday. Everywhere else had enough heat that loads of people went to the beach. How is that fair? lol.

The competition was great and it was a good way to sort out any problems. It was great getting the ponies out again and it was even better because our trainer Clive was there this time to help us out and to train us. We all had a great time but unfortunatly didn't ride our best and came 5th. This was also due to an unfortunate swelling of one of the pony's legs and so it couldn't be used on the final day.

Despite the rain, accidents and mistakes we all enjoyed the weekend and went away haven't leant how to ride better.
Day 5 - 23rd Mar 2009
Today we stayed in bed until about 9am and then got up and went in for breakfast. After we got changed and packed our suitcases before going to the mall for some shopping. Whilst shopping we got Clive and Carol a gift each to thank them. Then we went for lunch.

Once we were back at Sara and Cassie's we had to try and fit our shopping into our suitcases and then we gave them presents from us to thank them for having us.

Once that was done we packed our suitcases into the car and went to the airport. After checking in we did a little shopping and sat around until we could board. Me and Bex has a seat between us which was empty so we could spread out and Stav and Soph has the same. The plan journey went quicker on the way back than on the way there so it wasn't too bad but I was really cold on the plane and didn't feel great. Once we landed we got all our things, said bye to Bex who was getting a train home and got a lift to Sophie's with friend back to her place. There Stav and Soph went to ride Sophie's ponies and Charlotte came over to a catch up with me. Then me and Stav went home. Once home I rode both ponies, showed mum the photos and unpacked. Then I was asleep at 10pm trying to catch up on my loss of sleep.
Day 4 - 22nd Mar 2009
Today we were up at 7 again and packing our suitcases than down to check FB and eat breakfast!! Went to the horse park and mucked out our stables thinking we had all the time in the world until Leigh was tacking up and we realised we had 5 races until we were in! Then it was abit of a rush to tack up all 5 and warm them up.

Sunday morning really didn't go well. We just weren’t going well. We finished our heat and then went for a walk around the horse park looking at the retired racehorses and sitting on some giant chairs which used to be part of a XC jump. We were peeing ourselves trying to get Bexs phone to balance in a tree and take a picture of us. I think you needed to be there!! lol. i was crying I’d been laughing so much though!

Then we went back and had pizza for lunch and did rock, paper, scissors for who would assistant ref the forever young final. I lost!! So i did it with Leanne from Cassie's team and we talked all the way around and didn't concentrate as much as we should have.

In our final we went. We didn't have a great first few races and then picked up. Colin went at his speed with Bex in 2 mug but Bex got it right and got us an amazing lead and so we won that race. We kept picking up points but were still very close to quick silver and were joint 2nd at one point. By the time we were about to start our last race we were second and couldn't catch first or be caught. So we went for it and did amazing change overs although Bex and Soph's did go on the floor. Our prize was a brush each which Laura Speedy's owner had painted people on ponies doing games on. they are really good.

after riding we washed the ponies off and packed up. I thanks Carol and spoke to Laura on the phone and said good bye to speedy.

On our way home we stopped off to have some dinner and then came all the way back here. After unloading the ponies and feeding hay to them all we went straight to bed.
Day 3 - 21st Mar 2009
Today we were up at 7 and had breakfast before being in the car by 8:30 on the way to the horse park.

Once there we fed, mucked out and groomed the ponies before watching the U17. Then we tacked up, warmed up and went in. We won our first heat by 10 points which we were really happy about. Stav DID manage to fall off after the change over in sword as Fida stopped at the fence and Stav went over her head. Was funny.
All ponies were going well but Becky's wouldn't move very fast. After riding we groomed them and went and assistant ref’d. Then it was "pot luck" for lunch where u help your self to everything there. Clive kept making me get up and get him a drink and pudding. For pudding i didn't know what to get him so got him a slice of every cake. He didn't complain! lol.

After that we sat out in the sun nearly falling asleep. Me and Bex then assistant ref’d again before the 4 of us went to tack up for our second session. We won that one as well but it didn't go as well and we were shocked we won. Sophie fell off in 5 mug because her pony wanted to go one way and she wanted to go another. Bex's pony went much better this time. We realised it goes better if you don't kick and just use your voice.

After riding we washed the ponies off and grazed them in the sun before putting them away for the night with feed, hay, water and a clean bed. We then came back to the hotel to get showered and changed to go BACK to the horse park for the evening buffet.

I'm typing whilst the others shower. I the quickest to get ready. Stav is DEFO the slowest!! hehe.

After the buffet tonight we're coming back here to bed to get up at 7 again tomorrow.
Day 2 - 20th Mar 2009
Today we were up and having pancakes for breakfast. Then we watched a DVD of Sussex at intercounties in 1999 when they won. Sophie's pony arrived last night so she had to have a practice on it this morning. It went well. After the practice we all helped out and bathed Sophie's pony, cit its tail and then Cassie clipped it. It looks 100 times better now.

After that we loaded 20 bales of hay and re-packed our suitcases. Loading the ponies Stav couldn't believe they don't have ramps and just jump into the trailers.

On the way we stopped off at the vets to get some papers needed to travel ponies. We couldn't find the papers for ages but it must be a good job I’m nosey because i found them! After that we stopped off for lunch leaving the ponies outside in the trailers and then made it to the horse park.
Speedy was already at the horse park waiting for me and after doing all the beds and helping set the bending poles out in the arena we all had a practice. It went really well with none of us falling off which always helps. So we took them back to the stables, fed, hay and watered them and then came to the hotel.

At first we couldn't get our hotel key to work so Carol tried and it STILL wouldn't work so me and Bex had to go to the reception. They re-did the keys and it worked but once we were inside the room we noticed peoples stuff was in there. So back down i came and they gave us another room. this time the key DID work but it gave us 5mins to get ready before going out to dinner.

We went out for dinner and the 4 of us drank cosmopolitans (sorry about spelling). We couldn't finish out main meals though as we ate starters which Paul had ordered. As soon as we got back to the hotel we went to sleep!!! Up at 7 am the next morning!
Day 1 - 19th Mar 2009
Well we were up at 5:30 this morning and in Chazza's car on the way to the airport by 6! got there in time and checked in. Sophie and Stav turned up not too long after and we all went through.

After in we had some breaky and went to the gate. Had to get a bus from the gate to the plane and walk onto the plan. Me and bex were sat next to each other and i had a rather cute guy next to me. hehe. soph and Stav were a few rows back. Then we took off and me and bex fell asleep. After waking i watched high school musical 3 (you're right Nibbler...its great!!hehe). i also watched loads of other TV and played games. lol. we landed and Stav and Soph had filled out the wrong visa forms so took AGES to get through but once we did we weren't even waiting 5 mins before Clive and Carol turned up.

At Sara and Cassie's we chilled for abit and then had a practice. Stav is on Fida and Bex on Rooster. My pony Speedy is going straight to the horse park tomorrow and Soph’s pony Maniac isn’t arriving until tonight so I practiced on Hedwig and Soph rode Benny.

We're just chilling out now explaining to Sophie she DOESN'T have to build her stable!! lol. Got a BBQ for dinner and then bed. Tomorrow we'll be getting to the horse park early and practicing.
OMG we fly out tomorrow!! - 18th Mar 2009
I am getting REALLY excited now. Its much nicer getting excited about going away than it is thinking about how I REALLY can't afford this competition.

I rode Quin for the last time before i go away this morning and it was a really nice ride. Missy decided to gallop around the field doing a bucking bronco but it means she is being exercised without me doing anything. lol.

I had to unpack and re pack this morning taking out a pair of shoes (taking 6 pairs anyway. Best not take 7!thats just OTT! hehe). This lunch time i got the last of the presents for people and will be checking in on line in a second.

I am soooo happy I am going away again. When I get back it’s straight into MGA having a practice and then competitions starting every weekend. Can't wait :)

Not much else to say apart from that I’m getting more and more excited by the minute.

See you when we get back :)
Quinney's make over - 28th Feb 2009 and 1st Mar 2009
Saturday:
Today I was up at 7 and out hacking Missy by 7:45. Was a really nice hack. I love getting up early and going for a ride. Then at 9:30 I had the farrier Dave Matravers out to shoe Quin. Quinney had all his shoes off over the winter and it was time to put them back on. After Dave had been and gone me and mum clipped Quin and groomed him loads. He now looks even more gorgeous than before!!! Once we were done I took Quin for a nice hack which he enjoyed loads and then went and got the ponies some hay. Afterwards me, Mum and Oliver my brother went for a nice walk with the dog.

Sunday: Today I managed to stay in bed abit longer. I was still waiting to clip Matt's pony Blaze again by 10:15am. Matt got there and I gave Blaze a full clip which Matt was impressed with. We then went out on a hack, Matt on Blaze and me on Missy, through the woods. I was really worried about Missy's legs because she didn't have her boots on and it was really uneven ground but she seemed to enjoy herself. Once home I had a little sleep (had a late night Sat night) and then got up and went for a ride on Quinney whilst mum kindly poo picked for me. After riding Quin I fed the ponies and put their top rugs on.
Home at last - 23rd Feb 2009
Monday 23rd:
I was up at 7am this morning to shower and get to work. Was not impressed to only be getting 3 hours sleep. Only doing half a day today though as booked the other half off as holiday. At 11 I will be going home and riding Missy before going to bed and trying to catch up on some sleep.

I had a great time in Sweden and it was a really nice experience but I am happy to be home now.
Day 6- The final day - 22nd Feb 2009
Sunday 22nd:
This morning we all had a lazy one and once up me and Boo cooked a brunch for us all with our left over food. Was very yummy though.
The DVD of the final kept being played and we all had a watch at some point. Some of the line faults were REALLY bad!!!!

I did some packing and then Me, Mum, Rupert, Lisa, Carol and Clive all got dressed and walked to the local shop which took about half an hour each way. We got some food for dinner and all got an ice cream. Although it was cold outside the ice cream was actually very refreshing!!!

Once back I went to the chalet to have a sleep. Lavinia and Chris were back in bed already. I tried to sleep but couldn't as i was really cold (because was so tired) and have a sore throat and a cough so just couldn't sleep. I got up at 6 and finished packing and then we all had some dinner and sat around talking. Most of the Scottish and Irish had gone by now. At 8pm Me, Mum, Janey and her Dad Alan got a lift to the airport and got on our plane at 8:50pm. Once in the air me and mum listened to my ipod. Me and Mum ended up being nearly last off the plane because we were sat at the back thinking that they would open and front and back door to get off. They just opened the front so we had a long wait. Once off we had a long walk and a little tram ride to the passport bit. Because I have a new passport its got a chip in so i could go to the automatic one which there wasn't a line for and went straight in, got my bag suitcase and then waited for mum. We then got a bus to the car park ready to go home. The driver’s side front wheel was as flat as a pancake!!! So out we got the foot pump and i was pumping away whilst mum was busy moaning at Ian on the phone. We then went to the nearest garage to top it up but the air didn't work there!!!! We got some fuel and food though. Then we tried a second garage down the motorway and it turned out my pumping had nearly put the tyre to the right pressure!! Go me!!! hehe.

I tried to stay awake for the long drive home but somewhere on the M4 i fell asleep and didn't wake up until we were passing junction 24 of the M5. I was then in and out of sleep until we got home. By the time we got home it was 2:30am and the front tyre was flat again. We got our suitcases out and went straight to bed. I didn't manage to fall sleep until 4am though because I was feeling so ill. Was not impressed.
Day 5 - 21st Feb 2009
Saturday 21st:
Today we didn't get up until late again and we then had a fry up for breakfast again. Frodo got up at 4am to go pick his little brother up from the airport who had been on a school skiing holiday. We chilled out in the morning playing Uno and Extreme snap before setting off to Gothenburg Horse show for the last time. Me, Mum and Boo had to get a lift with the Scottish in their lorry as we couldn't get there any other way.
Once there we unloaded the ponies for the last time already tacked up and went down to the warm up arena. By now Empire was alot better than Thursday with his pulling but he still wasn’t easy. We warmed up for hours because there were dogs in the arena before us but we could watch it one the TV screens in the warm up arena.
We went into the final to just do our thing as we knew we wouldn't win. We rode better but so did the other teams. There was a bit of unfriendliness with the Swedish supporters because they were banging the sides of the arena when the Scottish team, who were in the lead, were trying to stand to do 4 flag. Also, an extra race was added. In the end Ireland won and Scotland and Sweden had to do a run off for 2nd and 3rd. Sweden's first rider missed her put in and so Scotland just relaxed and took their time and got it right.
Everyone was really happy for the Irish and Scottish.

We untacked and me and Boo thanked Ditte and Lea for lending us their ponies. They had to drive all the way back from Denmark!!

Once we got back to Allaby I went straight to the chalet to get my stuff and jumped in the shower so i didn't have to wait for other people again and it worked!! :) I had a lovely shower and then went to try and have a bit of a sleep before the Gala dinner in the evening.
That didn't happen though because then Boo came in to sleep and then Rupert came in to read and then Frodo came in and he wanted to watch the video mum had filmed of us riding so i had to get out of bed to get it and then Frodo was laughing etc... so i just gave up on trying to sleep and went to talk to mum and Lisa in their chalet. We did each others hair and Rupert came in at some point and went to bed but he was snoring within seconds.
We then did our make up and got changed and at 8pm went down to the Gala dinner. We had pork in a mushroom sauce and these nice potato things. It was very yummy and all teams then did a little speech thanking people and giving out gifts to the other teams.
Then the party started and we had live music and were all up dancing and singing along. Pear cidar was very yummy as was the wine i drunk. hehe. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.
Day 4 - 20th Feb 2009
Friday 20th:
Today we had to leave earlier so meant having to get out of bed BEFORE 11am this time. Me and Ditte tacked Empire up before we left this time so it would be easier and they left before us. Once we got to the car park where the ponies were Me, Boo and Clive tried to open the jockey door to unload the ponies but we couldn't. We thought it was locked (turns out it wasn't. We obviously didn't have the magic touch) so We took the ramp down and Clive gave Boo a leg up onto the back of Boo's pony, Red Passion. He had to shuffle along Reds back to the front of the trailer so he could untie red and then once we got red out i could get Empire out.
Walking down Empire wasn't AS bad as he was the day before but he still gave me a dread arm. We went into the arena and did better but still not as good as the other teams and finished 4th again. Scotland won this heat.

After, Me, Frodo and the Scottish team stayed and had a McDs for a VERY late lunch, watched dressage to music for a little (not to sure why but we kept being shown on the big screen) and then had a walk around the show before heading back. Once back we had dinner and played Uno. Ended up having 11 of us playing and cheating was happening but was good fun. We kept running out of cards though because so many of us and it was a very long game!! After our final game of Uno we went to bed.
Day 3 - 19th Feb 2009
Thursday 19th:
Today we were up at about 11am again and just sat around until Mum, Chris, Carol, Rupert and Lisa turned up. Once they got there me and Lavinia cooked breakfast again. After that we had a practice so we could practice with Chris. He was riding a pony called Nick which he rode last year as well.

Practice went ok so we left it with a little more hope. We then had to get the ponies ready to travel and we left for the competition at Gothenburg horse show. Once there we had to lead the ponies to the show to be vetted. Turned out empire had no manners and was pushing me all the way. By the time i got down there i had a dead arm and his owner Ditte had to take him for a little for me. He was very excited. We then tacked the ponies and waited around alot until we were allowed into the warm up arena. Once I got on Empire he calmed down which was nice because my arm was killing me by then. We warmed up and then went into the arena. It was mad. There were people all around the arena screaming as we cantered around the arena for the parade.
Then the serious stuff started. We didn't get off to a good start because in the first race which was bending Chris hurt his ankle so couldn't put any weight on it and things just didn't go how they should. We ended up coming 4th but because we were on borrowed ponies we didn't mind to much. After the show we went back and had some dinner and then went to bed.
Day 2 - 18th Feb 2009
Wednesday 18th:

Today we didn't get out of bed till gone 11am we were so tired. once up me and Lavinia made breakfast which was a fry up and then I washed up.
We relaxed and then at 1 had another practice. it went better because we had started to get used to the ponies a bit more.
After the practice we got changed and all the riders from the 4 teams went disco bowling, car track racing and Duck shooting. Was madness but SOOO much fun. I wasn't great at bowling. Found I would either miss all the pins completely and gutter the ball or I'd get a strike. Weird!!! We all had a giggle though. I was on a lane with Lavinia and Brian.
As we were leaving bowling we texted Clive to let him know and by the time we got back to Allaby Clive had our dinner ready. Couldn't ask for a better service than that now could you?

After dinner was pub night and we had live music and a good dance. Was good fun. At 1am i was sneaky and went and had a shower. I knew no-one else would be because they were all drinking still so it meant I didn't have to wait for others and it meant there was hot water. Thought i was being very clever!!! hehe. I had a nice shower and then went to bed.
From the beginning - 17th Feb 2009
Tuesday 17th:
Today we were up at 3am and had left Chris and Lavinia's house by 3:15am to drive from Sussex to Stanstead. We got there and then got the bus to the airport. When we were in the airport just before checking in Lavinia said "Jess didn't you have a hand bag?" Turns out i had left it on the bus with my passport, money in etc... So i had to run out the airport and catch the bus to get it. oooops!! not a good start. once i got my bag back we checked in and went through to duty free and got some breakfast and then had to board the plane straight away. The flight was boring but not too long. Clive, Lavinia and Boo all slept and i just listened to my ipod.
As we were landing you could see where we were going to stay. Once we had landed and collected bags we got our lift to Allaby and had a sit down before going food shopping and buying some beer and wine from the off licence. Once back we had to get changed and practice on our ponies. I was riding one called Empire who had only been doing games since December and was about 14.3hh (alot bigger to what i am used to!!!!) Lavinia was on one of Frodo's pony's (our team mate) and Boo was on this little chestnut which was mad. We didn't do much in the practice because had a competition that evening.
After practicing we got changed and then left for the competition. Once there we had some food and watched the other age groups before tacking our ponies up. it was FREEZING!!!!!!! in the competition the ponies went well but because we were on borrowed ponies and everyone else was on their own we just didn't have the pony/rider partnership and trust and we came 4th. Then we untacked and all bundled in the car to get warm. on the way back we realised it was actually -16 outside. No wonder we were so cold!!! Clive got a lift with someone else back and got us all a McDs so once back we had that and then me and Boo crawled to bed. Lavinia and Frodo came in alot later than us.
So close but so far - 13th Feb 2009
Friday the 13th today...scary!!!

I've started packing for Sweden now and can not wait!!!!! Have got my new sleeping bag and tomorrow after riding I’ve got to go and get some new jodhpurs and Jodhpur boots. I'm packing slowly because otherwise knowing my luck I’d pack everything and then realise I need to wear it BEFORE I go so I’m playing it safe and taking my time.

I have found out I am meeting my team mate Boo at 2pm on Monday 16th at a round about on the M49 so we can then share a lift up to my trainers house where we are meeting 2 more team members Lavinia and Chris and staying the night. We'll have a very early morning Tuesday as we'll need to be at the Airport by 4:55am the latest as our flight is at 6:55am!!!! Nice early start!!!

I am REALLY excited about going.

Will keep the blog us updated as I can whilst I'm away.
 
 
 
 
      
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