Mary King Olympic Victory parade tonight: Sidmouth

O wow!! Wish I was there!! Have been visiting Sidmouth since I was a child, I have family there and in Sidford too....... Last time I was there I even drove past Marys yard!!!!
 
Um sorry guys no pics BUT suffice to say it was a wonderful evening. The town was absolutely crammed full of people - and a lot of them weren't remotely "horsey" but had turned out just to support Mary.

"Archie" (Imperial Cavalier) looked absolutely stunning/gorgeous, as always, and when you see him up close is a really lovely fantastic horse with a really nice, kind, generous eye, and he just floated through the streets just like he was up there doing his Olympic dressage test!

OMG it was fantastic, and Mary, bless her, just had that bemused look on her face as if to say gosh is all this for me??? She was dressed in her Olympic team GB wear and Archie was immaculately turned out, all plaited up and gleaming. It just took the breath away basically.

She rode him through the town, across the seafront, and back to Kennaway House for a civic reception where it was announced that the Town Council were awarding her the "Freedman" of the town honour. In her thank-you speech Mary praised all those who'd supported her and also hoped there'd be opportunities for young people. It was good to see some youngsters from Axe Vale Pony Club; which is Mary's old pony club - I and others in the area from a neighbouring hunt branch well remember competing against Mary on Butterboy in the mid-seventies and it's very moving to think that she did all that by her own effort. A lot of people (press etc) snipe that equestrian sport is "elitist" but they should have been around when Mary was on her way up because she's basically now what she's always been, which is a down-to-earth, no-nonsense person who works damned hard and is always interested in helping others up the ladder. One of the things that was pointed out last night was her charity work and she also runs a lot of clinics for local youngsters to learn about eventing etc.

After the formal/civic presentations she trotted Archie back up the town to his transport for his well-earned supper no-doubt! He had a real spring in his step, bless him!

Any other HHO's there?

The local TV & radio were there so I guess there'd be some nice piccies on the BBC website.

A fantastic evening: and the rain stayed off - a few spots of rain but nothing more than that!
 
It was amazing! Sidmouth is only a small town but it was packed with cheering people as Mary and Archie strolled through. They both looked so relaxed and happy - Archie clearly thought it was perfectly normal to be greeted love this while Mary just seemed slightly bemused!
They were followed by a with all her family (including her mum, who even though well over 70 does so much, even driving the lorry everywhere....) plus old friends and all her grooms right back through to the early days.

They seemed to have all the time in the world to laugh, wave, chat and make everyone feel involved. An occasion I think they will remember as much as everyone there!
Afterwards may had a big hog roast and party back at the yard for just about everyone who has ever helped her, as unlike time riders she has always had the came yard and been based in the same small village
 
Re write of last paragraph, dam phone!

She has always lived and been based in the same yard and small village so it was lovely to see her celebrating there...though I think there may be a few sore heads!!

We have got come amazing pictures, but need daughter to get home as she has the phone and the technical know how!
 
My mum was there, very jealous of her! Sadly she didn't take any pics as she's a bit rubbish with technology! Mary spotted her in the crowd (they're old friends) and had a brief chat! :) wish I could've been there..
 
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