Merlotmonster
Well-Known Member
Well, just got back from Pratoni where I had a fab time!!
Getting to the event was a nightmare however the Italians dont seem to have grasped the concept of signage!!! You would think Pratoni didnt exist because it was on none of our maps and the sat nav even deserted us saying recalculating before finally running out batteries!
However, we got there in the end and we ushered into the competitors lorry car park parked up near to Bettinas rather flash lorry and wandered in.
First impressions were that it was like a local riding club event a couple of trade stands and 1 food wagon! Not a patch on Badders and the like, but at least the lack of people meant there was great viewing.
The course itself was beautifully built and you had to see the slope at fence 11 to believe it! The Russian girl who was red flagged (her stirrup leather had broken at about fence 8) went down it nutter!!!
I wished Daisy luck as she trotted off to the start and she rode a fab round! For a long time she was the only one clear so our hopes were high for the rest of the Brits. The course really did sort out those whose horses werent fit enough. There was one guy who jumped out the 2nd water with his horse on three legs it was so exhausted , to go up a steep hill. To everyones horror, he then whipped his horse!!! We all shouted PULL UP and he glared right at me!! His horse climbed over fence 20 before the stewards red flagged him. The weather was scorchio too which didnt help.
We also saw the German get told to stop at fence 24 (the coffin type fence). He had had 2 stops and a steward told him to retire. He trotted angrily off the course right up to one of the FEI officials and I hear there was a complaint made however, they were right to stop him as his horse would have fallen if he had carried on.
We also saw Karen Donckers (is that how you spell it) get eliminated at the same fence. Her horse jumped to the left of the white flag at B and then at C (which was massive at that point!!) She then just jumped the alternative at C, which was weird. Dont think she realised. We saw her being followed afterwards by a load of film crew looking most p**ed off!
Marys and Zaras round were pure class all the brit supporters out there gave them a cheer at every fence.
Other highlights were talking to Lucinda Green on the course and also spoke to Ian Stark at the airport!!! My hero .then had to force myself not to stare at him!! Ha ha
Anyway .now planning my trip to Hong Kong- eek!!
Getting to the event was a nightmare however the Italians dont seem to have grasped the concept of signage!!! You would think Pratoni didnt exist because it was on none of our maps and the sat nav even deserted us saying recalculating before finally running out batteries!
However, we got there in the end and we ushered into the competitors lorry car park parked up near to Bettinas rather flash lorry and wandered in.
First impressions were that it was like a local riding club event a couple of trade stands and 1 food wagon! Not a patch on Badders and the like, but at least the lack of people meant there was great viewing.
The course itself was beautifully built and you had to see the slope at fence 11 to believe it! The Russian girl who was red flagged (her stirrup leather had broken at about fence 8) went down it nutter!!!
I wished Daisy luck as she trotted off to the start and she rode a fab round! For a long time she was the only one clear so our hopes were high for the rest of the Brits. The course really did sort out those whose horses werent fit enough. There was one guy who jumped out the 2nd water with his horse on three legs it was so exhausted , to go up a steep hill. To everyones horror, he then whipped his horse!!! We all shouted PULL UP and he glared right at me!! His horse climbed over fence 20 before the stewards red flagged him. The weather was scorchio too which didnt help.
We also saw the German get told to stop at fence 24 (the coffin type fence). He had had 2 stops and a steward told him to retire. He trotted angrily off the course right up to one of the FEI officials and I hear there was a complaint made however, they were right to stop him as his horse would have fallen if he had carried on.
We also saw Karen Donckers (is that how you spell it) get eliminated at the same fence. Her horse jumped to the left of the white flag at B and then at C (which was massive at that point!!) She then just jumped the alternative at C, which was weird. Dont think she realised. We saw her being followed afterwards by a load of film crew looking most p**ed off!
Marys and Zaras round were pure class all the brit supporters out there gave them a cheer at every fence.
Other highlights were talking to Lucinda Green on the course and also spoke to Ian Stark at the airport!!! My hero .then had to force myself not to stare at him!! Ha ha
Anyway .now planning my trip to Hong Kong- eek!!
