I have survived my busiest month of the year – significantly less fit (not around for ‘boot camp’ sessions), probably half a stone heavier (diet of sandwiches) and with a complaining liver…. but it’s done for 2017.
First up was Badminton, and whilst I missed my usual partner in crime, Ellie, Steph did sterling work and the rest of the team were on great form. It feels like a lifetime ago now, but I do remember Nina chivvying us all out of the Media Centre on the Thursday evening just in time to catch the back end of the Cocktail Party. Badminton House is spectacular, and it is a huge privilege to have a good snoop around the paintings whilst sipping fine champagne and being fed scrumptious canapés.
The total highlight, however, was that Andrew Nicholson FINALLY won, on his 37th completion (must do the sums to see how often he started and didn’t complete). I don’t think there has ever been a more popular winner, or more tears shed by so many people, myself included. Epic.
I got home to find that Angel Horse had patently been partying too hard in the field, and was in dire need of a string of massages from the magic-fingered Sophie. He really is old enough to know better. With no riding I could at least keep on top of work, slip in a sneaky flight or two and spend a memorable, alcohol-fuelled evening with old friends from Lincolnshire days… did we really drink an entire bottle of port?
Before I could blink I was off to Rockingham International and 4 nights in the Best Western, Corby. Rockingham is such a great event, and this year was no different despite a couple of days of truly dire weather. The best hour was undoubtedly the one spent in the aforementioned Andrew Nicholson’s lorry while he was doing a radio interview – very entertaining, he is one happy man.
No rest for the wicked and it was on to Houghton International. The weather was glorious – bar half an hour of such heavy rain everything had to be stopped; horses and riders couldn’t even see the fences – and the Germans were on fire, winning the Nations Cup and taking a 1-2 in the 3*. Luckily client Piggy French flew the UK flag by winning both the 1* and the 2*.
There was, of course, more camel racing, organised by the East Anglian Air Ambulance, and this time I WAS a jockey. I haven’t laughed so much in months – and while I rather let Bertie down (didn’t kick hard enough!), it was brilliant fun; I can live with being beaten by Andreas Ostholt. I also love the fact that Bettina Hoy literally leapt off her winning horse, and on to a camel as the professional rider in the final. Thanks to everyone who sponsored me, am chuffed to say I raised £3,600.
So that was May. I’m now looking forward to a slower pace of life with just Blaston Show at the end of June. I say ‘just’ – it’s the Show’s 60th anniversary so I’d best pull my finger out.