It was sad as always to be heading out of the UK and Ireland onto the last part of my journey - homeward bound via Kentucky to watch as a spectator only at the World Equestrian Games. I was very lucky to have my accommodation sorted - staying with ex-pat kiwi's Rod and Natalie King - who live about 15 minutes from the grounds. Rod is a farrier at the huge vet practice Rood and Riddle and Nat works in the office there too.
The opening ceremony was quite spectacular - with plenty of the hoop-la one would expect from the USA. It was amazing to get to see the warm-up arenas for the dressage - often at big shows these are not open tot he public, but at WEG the spectators could freely mix with their idols and their horses.
I spent some of my time working on a trade stand for my dear friend Reisa Bonnetti who runs http://www.dressagetrainingonline.com and the rest of my time watching as much dressage as I could. I must say it was a bitter-sweet experience being there as a spectator - I got to see many other riders who like me had reached the FEI minimum eligibility standard - but unlike me their Federations supported them in their ambitions to compete. Yes it was great to watch the likes of Edward and Steffan competing - but it was also great to see riders of similar ability as myself getting out there and strutting their stuff with their country folk behind them 100% of the way.
It was great catching up with a few old friends from around the globe. The eventing was great to watch and the Kiwi team really did us proud bringing home the bronze in what was a nail biting finish. The cross country course was spectacular and very well presented, and there were some very special horses competing. Finally after many years of seeing her on the international circuit, I managed to get my photo taken with my "twin" Pippa Funnell - even a lady from the UK I sat with on a bus one day commented on how alike we were!
It was more than fantastic to catch up with Australian horseman Guy McLean - Guy and his partner Emily had flown over with their horses to the USA on the same flight as Whisper and I, both of us filled with hope and excitement for our differing USA adventures. We had made a pact in LA months earlier to meet up at the WEG - and to see that Guy had fulfilled his ambition ad was indeed one of the presenters in the trade halls of WEG bought more than a tear to my eye. Guy and Emily are such special people - their support, humility and kindness will forever remain with me. I wish their were more people like them in this world.
One highlight of WEG was the NZ team party we threw at Rod and Nats place - sponsored by Robin Naylor of Innovative Travel in Christchurch. The house was absolutely packed with kiwi riders and supporters and it was a great shindig indeed. I even made the desserts and everybody tucked into it! It was awesome to see Maurie Beatson get the chance to compete at the WEG, and Katie McVean and Delphi were absolute super freaks!
I also got the chance to visit a very old Irish friend of mine Mary Leahy who I used to work with at a vet practice in Ireland many year ago. She now lives in Kentucky and runs the yearling barn of an amazing stud Castleton Lyons. They stand the thoroughbred stallion Bernstein - a son of Storm Cat. The stud is owned by the Ryan family - as in the Ryan Air Ryan family. It was like a little slice of Ireland in the heart of the USA.
It was with a heavy heart that I headed back to New Zealand - excited to be re-united with Whisper again, but back to reality, breeding season, taxes and some serious ground to make up after the expenditure created with my efforts to ride for New Zealand at the WEG. As they say - things can only get better...