13/09/2022
On Friday Diamanté qualified for Olympia, The London International Horse Show. We have received our qualification confirmation and the letter says “Your SSADL senior is now one of the top 32 senior horses/ponies in the country” 🤯
This blows my mind because it’s our first year trying and also it’s such a challenge being SSADL Section Champion at one of approx 12 County and National shows. Our first round qualification was at an agricultural show, the second round we entered two shows, as my lovely friend Pamela said having a seat at the table is an achievement in itself!
Mum arrived to help as Onley don’t allow horse trailer camps with tie up. We entered the open in hand veteran competition, there are two judges in every class and you have to perform a set in hand show including figure of eight, set steps in walk and marked points to halt, as well as a confirmation show judged also on manners and a trot go round, all are marked on score sheets and agreed by both judges. The judges gave feedback down the line and said to me keep trying you’re not far off and I was delighted with second place.
At lunchtime the clock struck midday at Onley EC and we bowed our heads and gave our respects to Her Majesty the Queen during a two minute silence. My thoughts turned to my Grandad Stan and also how he will be watching down on me fuming I’m spending all my money on horses again, I like to think the Queen would have disagreed 😬
Into the foreign breed in hand class, Mr D was foot perfect and we placed first then into the championships. You need to be Section Champion to get the ticket to the final and I was already so pleased to get into the final six horses, it came down to us and a lovely mini; when they called my name as champion I couldn’t help crying, I really hardly ever cry, it was seeing Mum watching proudly and my lovely friends both in the ring and at the side cheering and all the emotions running high. Thunder and lightening started and the heavens opened as we left the arena, back at the trailer I phoned Donna in Spain in tears, so happy to make Los Olivillos proud, then time for Buck’s Fizz and a picnic in the rain then home time, what a day!