silvershadow81
Well-Known Member
I just sat down and typed so sorry its turned out quite long!
So after months and months of sewing sequins, and weekends and evenings spent practicing, the SEIB Riding Clubs Quadrille of the year has been and gone, and normality can return!
I never ever considered Gem to be of quadrille calabre, but after standing in last minute earlier in the year for a display at Windsor, she proved she was up to the job.
Qualifying at Addington back in October was shocking, something we really did not expect to happen, so with the opportunity to head to Olympia, the work began...
We had realised from the photos posted after the qualifiers that the costumes were very dark in comparism to the other teams, so we set to work, attaching over 10,000 sequins to everything!
I still cannot get over that Olympia came round so fast... So, midday Friday we sat in a layby outside Newport waiting for Suzannah and Claire (and grooms!) to lead the way.... It still hadnt really hit home where we were heading, but I kept experienceing waves of adreneline, followed by utter sickness of nerves, followed by adrenaline.. not the best feeling in the world, and it was only to get worse..
Entering London with the horses was strange, unloading in the centre of the city, onto a road and walking them along the pavement (around padestrians!) was even stranger. Luckily the horses co-operated and made out lives easy. The lorries have to be unpacked at the roadside as the lorries are parked over a mile away.
Luckily we were all feeling quite strong so managed to get everything into the venue in only a few trips!
We then had a long wait at the stable managers office, which is located backstage, next to the FEI stabling and collecting ring. It was apparent how many bodies are under one roof as it really is very warm in there!
Horses were checked over and issued with veterinary inspection certificates, and then allocated stables for the night. We were lucky to be allocated four stables in a nice quiet area, with lots of space behind (which was later to become a dresing room/ make up area!)
The horses settled quickly, even Blue was much more settled here then at the qualifiers (although Suzannah had a notice on the door letting passers by know that 'Yes i am a maniac, I do this all the time, please ignore me!') which caused some amusement! photo as for proof.
Gem spent the evening checking out the fancy showjumpers (she is STILL in season!!)
Later Friday night we set about plaiting up and getting as much done as possible, as the turnout inspection is at 9.30am Saturday.
My sister, Tor who had not plaited since selling Poppy (her horse), almost 10 years ago did a fantastic job on Gems highly difficult mane!
With lycra hoods in place and as much of the horses covered as possible without making them too hot, we headed back to the hotel for the night.
5.40am and all of us have been lying awake for most of the night, the alarms sound and 10 minutes later we were up heading back to the horses just around 6am.
Luckily hoods had kept the plaits clean and looking good, so just time for a quick ride about in the arena!
Gem was brilliant, there are thousands of seats, banners, flower, decorations and fairy lights around the outside which she sad a good look at, but soon was focused on working and listening. It dawned on me after about 5 minutes that there we were, RIDING in the Olympia arena!!!! The surface is fantastic, no wonder the horses go so well there!
We tried to run through the display to make ourselves familiar with the surroundings, but this proved extreamly diffiucult with the showjumpers setting up practice jumps, this soon caught Gems eye and she wanted to give them a try (NO WAY!!)
Back to the stables and it was on with cobwebs and spiders for the mane, bats sewn into the tails, spiders and webs on the bandages and polish, polish polish for the grroms and the horses.
Whilst Sal, Suzannah, Claire and I got changed in to the brilliant costumes and covered outselves in glamorous (NOT) make up! Last to go were the false nails...which were a tad difficult to put on. Luckily Julian was on hand (pun ha ha!) to help out with this, although it was soon apparent they were not the designed to touch anything once in place (which i found out when i got on, took up the reins and lost five in one go!)...more glue and all was good again!
Once in the collecting ring, we soon had the attention of the showjumpers stabled next door who all had their noses in the air trying to catch a glimpse of the odd goings on happening in the collecting ring!
The judges walked round, one at a time visiting each team. We made sure we mentioned the 10,000 sequins which had been lovingly attached and they seemed imprssed with the attention to detail and that two of the horses were in their 20's!!
The costumes which the other teams had were fantastic, all very brightly coloured, and one had bells and flashing lights attached.. this did look brilliant and caught the eye (especially Miley's!) of everyone watching.
After the turnout judging had taken place, it was straight on with the performance, we were 2nd to go, behind last years winners, Moat View and their fantastic 'Call to Arms' display. They all left the arena with huge smiles and we knew it had gone well for them.
Looking out into the huge arena knowing we were about to ride out there was really exciting, all the nerves had dissapeared and I could feel Gems heart beating, though her her ears were forward and i knew she was ready...
Gem and I lead the team into the arena, the first thing she spotted were the odd looking Christmas trees (which were not there first thing when we had exercised, she always notices little things like that!) but we pressed on and hoped the others were following! Round and round we trotted, whilst the commentator introduced us (firstly as Bury St Edmunds riding club..... i was a little confused!), it was really good to take this opportunity to look into the crowd and see so many familier faces of all family and freinds who had come to show their support. I was quite amazed at how relaxed I felt, even with so many eyes on us!
The music started and we were off!
I kept hearing the audience clap at points throughout, so felt confident that it was looking OK!
Then the final salute... and it was all over .....the quickest 5 minutes of my life!
Back in the collecting ring, We waited for the other two teams to go (which felt like eternaty) who both came out the arena with huge smiles all round....it really is an amazing atmosphere in that ring, and i think the relief of months of practicing being over with is another high!
We were all called back into the arena for the results to be announced. We all felt quite happy that the peformance had been really good and the horses had been excellent and done a fantastic job.
So we sat and waited for the commentator to announce the results in reverse order...
Our name was first to be called.
We were all a little disapointed as felt it had gone so well, but all things taken into in consideration about how we didnt even expect to qualify, let alone get to Olympia we left feeling extreamly proud of all of our achievements and our horses efforts.
A huge well done to the other teams, I think you all did brilliantly, so a massive well done.
I really loved every second of it, and although I havent had a good nights sleep for months I have absolutley no regrets and would do it all again tomorrow... if i was asked too!
I know Gem loved it too, she really rose to the occasion and felt as if she was 18 hands high. The look on her face here when the audience clapped...
A massive thank you to all the team, grooms, supporters, horses and especially Gem for being such a tolerant girl and giving me yet another ride of a lifetime in an amazing arena!
For those who would like to see the performance, it can be viewed on youtube HERE http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=_oz9LOjXQ-I
and a few photos..
seeing yourself on the screen!!!
Our rosettes..
(Gem- Grey and I- Green witch!!)
Bagsy a place on next years team please????!!!!!! xx
So after months and months of sewing sequins, and weekends and evenings spent practicing, the SEIB Riding Clubs Quadrille of the year has been and gone, and normality can return!
I never ever considered Gem to be of quadrille calabre, but after standing in last minute earlier in the year for a display at Windsor, she proved she was up to the job.
Qualifying at Addington back in October was shocking, something we really did not expect to happen, so with the opportunity to head to Olympia, the work began...
We had realised from the photos posted after the qualifiers that the costumes were very dark in comparism to the other teams, so we set to work, attaching over 10,000 sequins to everything!
I still cannot get over that Olympia came round so fast... So, midday Friday we sat in a layby outside Newport waiting for Suzannah and Claire (and grooms!) to lead the way.... It still hadnt really hit home where we were heading, but I kept experienceing waves of adreneline, followed by utter sickness of nerves, followed by adrenaline.. not the best feeling in the world, and it was only to get worse..
Entering London with the horses was strange, unloading in the centre of the city, onto a road and walking them along the pavement (around padestrians!) was even stranger. Luckily the horses co-operated and made out lives easy. The lorries have to be unpacked at the roadside as the lorries are parked over a mile away.
Luckily we were all feeling quite strong so managed to get everything into the venue in only a few trips!
We then had a long wait at the stable managers office, which is located backstage, next to the FEI stabling and collecting ring. It was apparent how many bodies are under one roof as it really is very warm in there!
Horses were checked over and issued with veterinary inspection certificates, and then allocated stables for the night. We were lucky to be allocated four stables in a nice quiet area, with lots of space behind (which was later to become a dresing room/ make up area!)
The horses settled quickly, even Blue was much more settled here then at the qualifiers (although Suzannah had a notice on the door letting passers by know that 'Yes i am a maniac, I do this all the time, please ignore me!') which caused some amusement! photo as for proof.
Gem spent the evening checking out the fancy showjumpers (she is STILL in season!!)
Later Friday night we set about plaiting up and getting as much done as possible, as the turnout inspection is at 9.30am Saturday.
My sister, Tor who had not plaited since selling Poppy (her horse), almost 10 years ago did a fantastic job on Gems highly difficult mane!
With lycra hoods in place and as much of the horses covered as possible without making them too hot, we headed back to the hotel for the night.
5.40am and all of us have been lying awake for most of the night, the alarms sound and 10 minutes later we were up heading back to the horses just around 6am.
Luckily hoods had kept the plaits clean and looking good, so just time for a quick ride about in the arena!
Gem was brilliant, there are thousands of seats, banners, flower, decorations and fairy lights around the outside which she sad a good look at, but soon was focused on working and listening. It dawned on me after about 5 minutes that there we were, RIDING in the Olympia arena!!!! The surface is fantastic, no wonder the horses go so well there!
We tried to run through the display to make ourselves familiar with the surroundings, but this proved extreamly diffiucult with the showjumpers setting up practice jumps, this soon caught Gems eye and she wanted to give them a try (NO WAY!!)
Back to the stables and it was on with cobwebs and spiders for the mane, bats sewn into the tails, spiders and webs on the bandages and polish, polish polish for the grroms and the horses.
Whilst Sal, Suzannah, Claire and I got changed in to the brilliant costumes and covered outselves in glamorous (NOT) make up! Last to go were the false nails...which were a tad difficult to put on. Luckily Julian was on hand (pun ha ha!) to help out with this, although it was soon apparent they were not the designed to touch anything once in place (which i found out when i got on, took up the reins and lost five in one go!)...more glue and all was good again!
Once in the collecting ring, we soon had the attention of the showjumpers stabled next door who all had their noses in the air trying to catch a glimpse of the odd goings on happening in the collecting ring!
The judges walked round, one at a time visiting each team. We made sure we mentioned the 10,000 sequins which had been lovingly attached and they seemed imprssed with the attention to detail and that two of the horses were in their 20's!!
The costumes which the other teams had were fantastic, all very brightly coloured, and one had bells and flashing lights attached.. this did look brilliant and caught the eye (especially Miley's!) of everyone watching.
After the turnout judging had taken place, it was straight on with the performance, we were 2nd to go, behind last years winners, Moat View and their fantastic 'Call to Arms' display. They all left the arena with huge smiles and we knew it had gone well for them.
Looking out into the huge arena knowing we were about to ride out there was really exciting, all the nerves had dissapeared and I could feel Gems heart beating, though her her ears were forward and i knew she was ready...
Gem and I lead the team into the arena, the first thing she spotted were the odd looking Christmas trees (which were not there first thing when we had exercised, she always notices little things like that!) but we pressed on and hoped the others were following! Round and round we trotted, whilst the commentator introduced us (firstly as Bury St Edmunds riding club..... i was a little confused!), it was really good to take this opportunity to look into the crowd and see so many familier faces of all family and freinds who had come to show their support. I was quite amazed at how relaxed I felt, even with so many eyes on us!
The music started and we were off!
I kept hearing the audience clap at points throughout, so felt confident that it was looking OK!
Then the final salute... and it was all over .....the quickest 5 minutes of my life!
Back in the collecting ring, We waited for the other two teams to go (which felt like eternaty) who both came out the arena with huge smiles all round....it really is an amazing atmosphere in that ring, and i think the relief of months of practicing being over with is another high!
We were all called back into the arena for the results to be announced. We all felt quite happy that the peformance had been really good and the horses had been excellent and done a fantastic job.
So we sat and waited for the commentator to announce the results in reverse order...
Our name was first to be called.
We were all a little disapointed as felt it had gone so well, but all things taken into in consideration about how we didnt even expect to qualify, let alone get to Olympia we left feeling extreamly proud of all of our achievements and our horses efforts.
A huge well done to the other teams, I think you all did brilliantly, so a massive well done.
I really loved every second of it, and although I havent had a good nights sleep for months I have absolutley no regrets and would do it all again tomorrow... if i was asked too!
I know Gem loved it too, she really rose to the occasion and felt as if she was 18 hands high. The look on her face here when the audience clapped...
A massive thank you to all the team, grooms, supporters, horses and especially Gem for being such a tolerant girl and giving me yet another ride of a lifetime in an amazing arena!
For those who would like to see the performance, it can be viewed on youtube HERE http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=_oz9LOjXQ-I
and a few photos..
seeing yourself on the screen!!!
Our rosettes..
(Gem- Grey and I- Green witch!!)
Bagsy a place on next years team please????!!!!!! xx
