silvershadow81
Well-Known Member
Hi All,
So it is all over! Since Christmas last year we have spent every weekend and more practicing the display, evenings making the costume.
We got back gone midnight last night,so Gem is now out in the sunny field having a very well deserved break. So thought i would sit down, while all fresh in my head and put our amazing experience into words to share with you all.
_______________________________________________________________
Couldnt sleep sunday night as far too excited. Here is Gem at home all set to go (sporting the team rugs!)
So we got there on Monday, all 14 horses, riders and more grooms. Horses settled really well, and tucked into the hayledge. Gem even went on strike and didnt want any hard food as the hayledge was so good! We were allowed into the arena (which is a narrow walkway with a trainline next to it!!):
The warm up area is in a marquee and it was quite windy, so the sides were flapping, and horses were kept on their toes, we were then allowed to work them in the main arena to get used to the place. What an amazing feeling (even though it is empty) to be riding in such a huge place:
Unfortunalty the only pony on the team had a collision in the practice arena with a tractor, but luckily, with a vet on site, she was able to see to him really quickly and he had five staples in his leg. We all kept our fingers firmly crossed that he would be OK.
We then walked the horses back and set up our trade stand in the shopping village. As we have never done this before, we had made up some boards with a bio of each horse and rider so that people could see the sort of things we usually do with our horses (SJ, XC, hacking- all 'normal' things). Others had merchandise for sale, bout obviously we are not at that level!!
Tuesday began early with most horses heading out to the arena or around the lorry park for a stretch of legs. Here is Gem taking in the sights of the NEC complex during her early morning walk:
We then had a spotlight training in the morning followed by a dressed up practice slot in the afternoon. The spotlight training was interesting! There are some amazing things they can do with lights and some of them reacted and others just ignored them. Gem kept throwing the breaks on and skirting around anything moving, so that it didnt touch her! Here is the practice:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0bttYWt5og
Rockin Horse display were after us and the amazing Guido was jumping the horses standing on the backs and unfortunatly one tripped and he fell off, so this also meant that peoples nerves were really up going into the first day of the competition....
Wednesday- again another really early start to exercise and then the LONG wait till 4.20pm for the first performance. Gem was scrubbed to be as white as possible and plaited by my friend Charlie who was a star at making her look fab: What do you think:
4.00pm and we are on, walking down to the arena. HUGE butterflys in everyones tummies. We all wished Equestrienne good luck as they were opening the competition, and in they went. To hear people clapping when you are next to go, (well i have goose bumps thinking back to it!).
We were then told that their chariot had turned over at the start of their display and to be ready to go (early!). We were terrified. When the girls walked out the arena we all felt so sorry for them, we have all practiced so much and for a display to end so quickly was gutting for them. Pony was absolutly fine, but i think Nicky had hurt her hand quite badly and was very shaken. We later learnt that the scurry which had been beforehand had changed the surface and was very different to when they practiced.
So our display was announced, the crowd clapped, and the music started.... Gem was so keen to get in the arena she has to dig, and rear...just really being impatient (wouldnt think she was 22 when you see her act up like that!!)
The display went REALLY well, horses were amazing and we were all SO pleased! It was really odd, heading back to the tradestand and being recognised (we were still dressed as Romans!) and we were even asked for our autographs (how MAD is that!!!!!) (I signed for Gem too and she is the biggest star between us!)
The horses were then able to have a nice break: (bars on the stables are just about the right height to hang a head!)
The evening we were able to sit and watch the other two acts. The Knights were first, followed by Rockin Horse. All of our vibes were with Guido and the jump again. They had a few sticky jumps, but the rest of the show was amazing as always. How he can go round a horse in flat out gallop and end back in the saddle is beyond me!
Thursday- The longest day ever! We were on at 8.45pm. so so much waiting about and more cleaning of Gem! She didnt like the scurry passing the stable- she still cannot suss out why a carriage follows a horse so closely!
You could hear much more audience noise Thursday, and it dosnt get easier as the week goes on! Music started and the display began. Bad Luck strikes again and Steve, one of the ex-racehorses leaves the display a few seconds in as he is uneaven.... we all carry on and from comments after, no-one seemed to notice we had gone down to 13 riders.
Steve is taken straight to the vets and they dig out an abcess.
Equestrianne follow us and leave the crowd buzzing as always.
FRIDAY- a horse down, we practice on foot how we can change things to ensure we still look neat. Having the early slot again 2.40pm, it didnt give us too long to practice. We were first in, and Equestrianne wished us all the best and somehow, with two riders changing horses mid way (in the tunnel!) it all worked out really well.
We then all did our bit on the display stands, meeting so many lovely people and trying to get them to give quadrille a go, before settling down watch the other two acts.
Rockin Horse were first and they did another fun display. There horses were so lovely and mainly stallions, they would wait near to me in the hosing down area (We all had grey horses so met there often!) and the stallions behaved really well.
Then the Knights who did another fast and furious display and whipped the crowd into a frenzy! Unfortunatly, one of the ponies was injured in a freak accident where it kicked itself and had to be put down. (rest in peace pony) :-(
Saturday- Final Day. Sell out day. It was packed, hot and buzzing in the arena! All the displays were due one after another from 3pm, but there was a last minute change to the order, putting the knights to the end spot. we were to go in third.
Few more, on foot run throughs in the carpark, before plaiting up, dashing off to meet friends who had driven up to support us and then getting on for the last chance to perform. We could all really feel the pressure. Steve had been cleared by vet and farrier and had his shoe put back on so that we were a full team again
The perfomance was not as hoof perfect as we would have hoped the last one to be. Gem was very strong, and the audience clapped each time we did a movement, which was so lovely to hear. leaving the arena for the last time was relief and a bit of sadness that that was it.
Horses were sprayed off (as the weather was so lovely) and we headed back to the arena.
We were all told that all teams were to provide a two horse summary of our performance before the results were announced (quite hard when we have 14 in our display!), but Suzannah and Jane did a great job, with Jo reading out a lovely summary of the teams efforts and thanking everyone who had got behind us to support us.
The judges then had their say, couldnt really hear what was said as we had (SW team, Rockin Horse and Equestrianne) been told to stand in the riders viewing area, where you cannot really hear what is being said, but were later told we needed to imporve dressing and make more exciting (Stunt riding anyone?!)
Then the winner was announced as the Knights.
We were then handed a summary of the votes which said we had 44% and knights 47%, so considering they are a professional team, we are really REALLY proud of our horses efforts and how they all coped with such a long show.
Here is my gal in action: (expensive to buy, but had to be done!!)
Soooo..... knackered, gutted, chuffed, proud, but most of all I love my horse for being such a star (and the oldest horse to be at the British Open!!!)
xxxxxxx
So it is all over! Since Christmas last year we have spent every weekend and more practicing the display, evenings making the costume.
We got back gone midnight last night,so Gem is now out in the sunny field having a very well deserved break. So thought i would sit down, while all fresh in my head and put our amazing experience into words to share with you all.
_______________________________________________________________
Couldnt sleep sunday night as far too excited. Here is Gem at home all set to go (sporting the team rugs!)
So we got there on Monday, all 14 horses, riders and more grooms. Horses settled really well, and tucked into the hayledge. Gem even went on strike and didnt want any hard food as the hayledge was so good! We were allowed into the arena (which is a narrow walkway with a trainline next to it!!):
The warm up area is in a marquee and it was quite windy, so the sides were flapping, and horses were kept on their toes, we were then allowed to work them in the main arena to get used to the place. What an amazing feeling (even though it is empty) to be riding in such a huge place:
Unfortunalty the only pony on the team had a collision in the practice arena with a tractor, but luckily, with a vet on site, she was able to see to him really quickly and he had five staples in his leg. We all kept our fingers firmly crossed that he would be OK.
We then walked the horses back and set up our trade stand in the shopping village. As we have never done this before, we had made up some boards with a bio of each horse and rider so that people could see the sort of things we usually do with our horses (SJ, XC, hacking- all 'normal' things). Others had merchandise for sale, bout obviously we are not at that level!!
Tuesday began early with most horses heading out to the arena or around the lorry park for a stretch of legs. Here is Gem taking in the sights of the NEC complex during her early morning walk:
We then had a spotlight training in the morning followed by a dressed up practice slot in the afternoon. The spotlight training was interesting! There are some amazing things they can do with lights and some of them reacted and others just ignored them. Gem kept throwing the breaks on and skirting around anything moving, so that it didnt touch her! Here is the practice:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0bttYWt5og
Rockin Horse display were after us and the amazing Guido was jumping the horses standing on the backs and unfortunatly one tripped and he fell off, so this also meant that peoples nerves were really up going into the first day of the competition....
Wednesday- again another really early start to exercise and then the LONG wait till 4.20pm for the first performance. Gem was scrubbed to be as white as possible and plaited by my friend Charlie who was a star at making her look fab: What do you think:
4.00pm and we are on, walking down to the arena. HUGE butterflys in everyones tummies. We all wished Equestrienne good luck as they were opening the competition, and in they went. To hear people clapping when you are next to go, (well i have goose bumps thinking back to it!).
We were then told that their chariot had turned over at the start of their display and to be ready to go (early!). We were terrified. When the girls walked out the arena we all felt so sorry for them, we have all practiced so much and for a display to end so quickly was gutting for them. Pony was absolutly fine, but i think Nicky had hurt her hand quite badly and was very shaken. We later learnt that the scurry which had been beforehand had changed the surface and was very different to when they practiced.
So our display was announced, the crowd clapped, and the music started.... Gem was so keen to get in the arena she has to dig, and rear...just really being impatient (wouldnt think she was 22 when you see her act up like that!!)
The display went REALLY well, horses were amazing and we were all SO pleased! It was really odd, heading back to the tradestand and being recognised (we were still dressed as Romans!) and we were even asked for our autographs (how MAD is that!!!!!) (I signed for Gem too and she is the biggest star between us!)
The horses were then able to have a nice break: (bars on the stables are just about the right height to hang a head!)
The evening we were able to sit and watch the other two acts. The Knights were first, followed by Rockin Horse. All of our vibes were with Guido and the jump again. They had a few sticky jumps, but the rest of the show was amazing as always. How he can go round a horse in flat out gallop and end back in the saddle is beyond me!
Thursday- The longest day ever! We were on at 8.45pm. so so much waiting about and more cleaning of Gem! She didnt like the scurry passing the stable- she still cannot suss out why a carriage follows a horse so closely!
You could hear much more audience noise Thursday, and it dosnt get easier as the week goes on! Music started and the display began. Bad Luck strikes again and Steve, one of the ex-racehorses leaves the display a few seconds in as he is uneaven.... we all carry on and from comments after, no-one seemed to notice we had gone down to 13 riders.
Steve is taken straight to the vets and they dig out an abcess.
Equestrianne follow us and leave the crowd buzzing as always.
FRIDAY- a horse down, we practice on foot how we can change things to ensure we still look neat. Having the early slot again 2.40pm, it didnt give us too long to practice. We were first in, and Equestrianne wished us all the best and somehow, with two riders changing horses mid way (in the tunnel!) it all worked out really well.
We then all did our bit on the display stands, meeting so many lovely people and trying to get them to give quadrille a go, before settling down watch the other two acts.
Rockin Horse were first and they did another fun display. There horses were so lovely and mainly stallions, they would wait near to me in the hosing down area (We all had grey horses so met there often!) and the stallions behaved really well.
Then the Knights who did another fast and furious display and whipped the crowd into a frenzy! Unfortunatly, one of the ponies was injured in a freak accident where it kicked itself and had to be put down. (rest in peace pony) :-(
Saturday- Final Day. Sell out day. It was packed, hot and buzzing in the arena! All the displays were due one after another from 3pm, but there was a last minute change to the order, putting the knights to the end spot. we were to go in third.
Few more, on foot run throughs in the carpark, before plaiting up, dashing off to meet friends who had driven up to support us and then getting on for the last chance to perform. We could all really feel the pressure. Steve had been cleared by vet and farrier and had his shoe put back on so that we were a full team again
The perfomance was not as hoof perfect as we would have hoped the last one to be. Gem was very strong, and the audience clapped each time we did a movement, which was so lovely to hear. leaving the arena for the last time was relief and a bit of sadness that that was it.
Horses were sprayed off (as the weather was so lovely) and we headed back to the arena.
We were all told that all teams were to provide a two horse summary of our performance before the results were announced (quite hard when we have 14 in our display!), but Suzannah and Jane did a great job, with Jo reading out a lovely summary of the teams efforts and thanking everyone who had got behind us to support us.
The judges then had their say, couldnt really hear what was said as we had (SW team, Rockin Horse and Equestrianne) been told to stand in the riders viewing area, where you cannot really hear what is being said, but were later told we needed to imporve dressing and make more exciting (Stunt riding anyone?!)
Then the winner was announced as the Knights.
We were then handed a summary of the votes which said we had 44% and knights 47%, so considering they are a professional team, we are really REALLY proud of our horses efforts and how they all coped with such a long show.
Here is my gal in action: (expensive to buy, but had to be done!!)
Soooo..... knackered, gutted, chuffed, proud, but most of all I love my horse for being such a star (and the oldest horse to be at the British Open!!!)
xxxxxxx
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