I had a FAB weekend! I've done YHL day trips for years and always leave feeling like I have missed so much. So when I discovered that some of the girls at the yard had booked two days and an overnight hotel, I muscled in on the action! The other three went the whole hog for Saturday and booked VIP tickets whereas I could only run to Standard Plus. Sadly on the day, one of the VIP girls was unwell and couldn't attend so she gave me her ticket! So mid-morning the remaining three of us went to the VIP lounge and received a glass of bubbly. Jen's lovely new fella had done her a YHL Survival Box which included two bottles of Prosecco, so we borrowed the glasses from the VIP lounge and opened one bottle whist watching demos in the afternoon! How very luxurious!!
Saturday was mainly browsing the shopping stands and watching demos. I watched a good spookbusting sesh by NH trainer Jason Webb. He has his own horse, Diesel, who came into the arena at the end for a little liberty work. Whether it was supposed to happen or not, it was hilarious to watch him drop to the ground and roll copiously....covering his black coat in sand!
Lunch was covered in the VIP lounge as part of the ticket cost, as well as free tea and coffee all day.
In the afternoon (glass of bubbly in hand) we saw Mary and Emily Kings' jumping masterclass which finished with Mary riding the infamous Hovis!
Straight afterwards there was a Grand Horse parade which included Big Star, At Arko III, Neptune Collonges, Barbers Shop and Uthopia! He was ridden by his groom of 11 years, Alan, who told us that when there was all that furore over Uthopia's ownership, Alan had slept on a camp bed outside his stable for a few weeks with his passport under his pillow! He then broke into the most amazing dressage trot and there wasn't a dry eye in the house!!
As part of our weekend we also booked to see the evening performance which was a 3-hour audience with Geoff Billington. I've seen Geoff there a few times before and he's akways entertaining but I must confess that I wondered how he'd fill 3 hours. In the end, my fears were unfounded and it was hugely entertaining, including lots of jumping - some VERY high!! - and a very VERY moving tribute to his famous It's Otto..... his horse of a lifetime (more tears).
The overnight hotel was only 4 miles away from the venue and easy to find. £66 for a twin room and as my room mate was poorly I had the very comfortable room to myself. Not bad for £33! And a lovely big an suite too!
On Sunday we had all bought the cheaper 'shopping' tickets but unfortunately the other two girls had to drive back to Shropshire. I wasn't fazed by this as I've been there loads of times solo and I was able to look where I wanted, when I wanted. I didn't buy much, to be honest and just as I decided to leave at lunchtime, I happened to pass the Equine Learning Zone and did a double-take to see Mary and Emily King answering questions. There were a few spare seats so I plonked myself down to listen.... they were only about 4 metres away from me!! #starstruck
After 15 mins they finished but Mary had some of her books and gave them a plug. I was first in the line and got a lovely dedication written...
I got back to the yard in time to hack out with Jill and Albi so it was a perfect weekend all round really.
Saturday was mainly browsing the shopping stands and watching demos. I watched a good spookbusting sesh by NH trainer Jason Webb. He has his own horse, Diesel, who came into the arena at the end for a little liberty work. Whether it was supposed to happen or not, it was hilarious to watch him drop to the ground and roll copiously....covering his black coat in sand!
Lunch was covered in the VIP lounge as part of the ticket cost, as well as free tea and coffee all day.
In the afternoon (glass of bubbly in hand) we saw Mary and Emily Kings' jumping masterclass which finished with Mary riding the infamous Hovis!
Straight afterwards there was a Grand Horse parade which included Big Star, At Arko III, Neptune Collonges, Barbers Shop and Uthopia! He was ridden by his groom of 11 years, Alan, who told us that when there was all that furore over Uthopia's ownership, Alan had slept on a camp bed outside his stable for a few weeks with his passport under his pillow! He then broke into the most amazing dressage trot and there wasn't a dry eye in the house!!
As part of our weekend we also booked to see the evening performance which was a 3-hour audience with Geoff Billington. I've seen Geoff there a few times before and he's akways entertaining but I must confess that I wondered how he'd fill 3 hours. In the end, my fears were unfounded and it was hugely entertaining, including lots of jumping - some VERY high!! - and a very VERY moving tribute to his famous It's Otto..... his horse of a lifetime (more tears).
The overnight hotel was only 4 miles away from the venue and easy to find. £66 for a twin room and as my room mate was poorly I had the very comfortable room to myself. Not bad for £33! And a lovely big an suite too!
On Sunday we had all bought the cheaper 'shopping' tickets but unfortunately the other two girls had to drive back to Shropshire. I wasn't fazed by this as I've been there loads of times solo and I was able to look where I wanted, when I wanted. I didn't buy much, to be honest and just as I decided to leave at lunchtime, I happened to pass the Equine Learning Zone and did a double-take to see Mary and Emily King answering questions. There were a few spare seats so I plonked myself down to listen.... they were only about 4 metres away from me!! #starstruck
After 15 mins they finished but Mary had some of her books and gave them a plug. I was first in the line and got a lovely dedication written...
I got back to the yard in time to hack out with Jill and Albi so it was a perfect weekend all round really.
