H&C

3
Sep
2009

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Pas de deux at the Europeans

Woody decided to canter out of the arena
(c) www.caroline-finch.co.uk

"On Wednesday we took Woody to Diana Barley’s yard to run through our pas de deux for the gala evening at the Europeans. Having demonstrated it twice before including Blenheim 2008, we knew where we were going but needed to sort out our lefts and rights - it wouldn’t have looked good if we were crashing into each other on the night! After one awful run through we got it spot on for the second go, so felt fairly confident about performing it in front of thousands of people on Friday evening. We left Erin and Diana to go home and pack, for a very busy two days that were ahead of us.

After a very late night of panicking, and what ifs we had a very early start to make sure we got the best parking space for the horse box, the adrenaline took over and me, mum and Sacha (my trainer) were all very excited.

We arrived at Windsor and got the nearest spot next to the bridge that led to the stables, then settled in and found our bearings. I was very pleased to borrow an electric scooter – it was MASSIVE!!!! We managed to watch Edward Gal ride Totilas in his test and in the warm up. What a horse - he is breathtaking and gave me shivers down my spine. The main arena was overwhelming, and there was a fantastic atmosphere.

After tacking and warming Woody up we went to the demonstration arena to complete our first display. Sacha and Diana walked the horses around the arena so it gave Erin and I a chance to introduce ourselves to the audience. Unfortunately for our first display we clashed with Carl Hester doing his test in the main arena, but we still had a lot of people come to watch us which was really nice. Whist we were riding, David Hamer, our discipline co-ordinator, explained about Para-Dressage, the four grades and the World Class Development Squad. He then showed the audience how we train our horses to our individual needs and gave us tips on how to improve.

The second display was exactly the same set out as the first however this time we were lucky enough to have our arena surrounded by people watching which was fantastic as there was much more of an atmosphere. When leaving the arena however, the Shetland Pony Grand National was coming in and Woody got rather excited! I think he wanted to join in…

On Friday the wait was finally over. The excitement had quadrupled overnight! Woody looked fab and fit for a non-stop day. During our demo in the display arena we managed to practice our pas de deux in front of a smaller audience - a great opportunity for us and the horses to have one last go despite the arena being completely the wrong shape and us ending up way in front of the music!

We had arranged with the organisers that at 5.30 we could have an arena walk around to familiarise the horses and have a sound check. We turned up only to find the arena buzzing with machines, people building stages and no sight of anyone we knew! After a while we managed to get in for a walk around. Woody took it all in his stride.

Erin and I decided that we would jazz things up a little, so we went out and bought a Union Jack quarter marker and some glitter. Both boys looked very classy with glittery bottoms and wore them with pride. We had Woody’s ears stuffed with ear plugs as he can get rather excited by loud music, and we thought with the atmosphere adding to the excitement, we were probably going to be safer. It then dawned on me that he listens to my voice to go forward!

As we headed down to the warm up arena, words cannot describe how I was feeling. Everywhere was animated and nerves had started to kick in, but however they were overruled by the atmosphere and anticipation. There were four sets of carriage drivers in the holding arena, so we kept well out of the way of them, not to excite the horses.

When we were called to go in I could see all the people watching in the stands and I couldn’t believe what I was about to do, everything froze and seemed so surreal. When entering the arena I said to Erin as we were trotting along outside of the arena “Oh my Gosh – can you believe it?? We are actually at the Europeans!” with a massive grin on my face. We received a huge applause from the audience, which excited both the horses a little but Woody felt amazing.

The audience was incredible, they all clapped along to our music which made me feel relaxed knowing that people were enjoying watching us and felt involved in our performance. Everything went as planned, even down to the last halt, when Woody normally tenses up because of all the clapping. He stood completely still, taking it in and feeling very proud of himself. Erin and I waved to the audience and left the arena, me in canter with Sacha holding on, as Woody then thought he was two again!

Looking back everything seemed to go so quickly, but the experience and the feeling it gave me to ride at such an amazing place will never leave. To be able to have that experience at such a young age and so early in my career I feel truly honoured and would love to thank everyone who made it possible, especially David Hamer who organised it for us. Lets just hope at the next Europeans, I will be competing and winning a medal for Team GB."