Guess who was flagbearer for Team U.K. at WEG...

well, according to the blog here, http://hoofcare.blogspot.com/ (credit where it's due):

The rider who carried the flag was elected by the riders. I saw Karen O'Connor carrying the US flag. I saw dressage great Isabell Werth carrying the German flag. The Crown Prince of Dubai carried the flag of the United Arab Emirates. Eventing rider Andrew Nicholson carried the flag of New Zealand.

So I did a double-take when Great Britain gathered at the in-gate to march in. I scrambled for my camera, even though it was totally dark outside. I hoped for a super-flash, just this once. And I got it.

Farrier Brendan Murray was carrying the British flag. It really was Brendan! I found out later that Brendan is retiring as the eventing farrier for the British team; he's been to who-knows-how-many World Equestrian Games and Olympics as the team farrier, and this WEG will be his last. So, apparently, as a show of support and appreciation, the riders elected him to carry the flag.

Isn't that excellent?! :) :) :)
 
kerilli said:
nope, but you're on the right lines, it wasn't a rider, surprisingly!
Click to expand...

ETS: just seen your post. That's awesome :D And I think a testimony to how much Team GB appreciate the behind the scenes team.

Can't say you hear many other nations thanking the support staff so much...
 
Brendan is my farrier, and really is a totally lovely guy who thoroughly deserves this recognition imo.

Cant wait to see his photos of it all (and all the stories).
 
Lovely gesture, does that mean you were there Kerilli, we were for the eventing and had a fantastic time met quite a few GB supporters and had a long chat with Lee pearson while waiting at the water jump for mary king. How come we top the medals table and not even get a mention on the news it is wrong. I hope that all the riders know how much we enjoyed their fantastic peformances.
 
brendan is also my farrier, and i'll second what scally said... he's the LOVLIEST guy ever, always full of fabby stories about his exciting life... i'm very cross though... he did promise to take me on his next adventure... :D

it really couldn't have happened to a more deserving chap!

you just wait til i tell iggle his farrier is famous (mind you, he was already a bit famous... he's in all the horsey films... and taught orlando bloom how to shoe a horse for a film *swoon*... though he complained that he wasn't dressed properly... apparently he tuend up in sandals with a floaty scarf around his neck....)


WOOOOHOOOO GO BRENDAN!!!! :D :D :D

(he'd better not put his prices up now he's a sleb)

ets: he's also an amazing farrier. but i guess that goes without saying... :p

:D
 
I agree that it was a lovely gesture but, teapot, we probably don't hear about the other nations appreciating their support staff so much because the information is not available. In my experience they are every bit as appreciative in their own way even if they have a smaller back up team and they have to do more for themselves. The majority would also have considerably less financial support. We are very lucky in this country to have so much available to us with facilties, training, back up, etc.
 
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