Immediately after the conclusion of the Galway Downs CCI*** we all huddled together in organiser Robert Kellerhouse’s office for warmth for a press conference with the winners. Please excuse the poor quality of my video, I think I may have pushed my iphone too hard in the rain, it prefers perfect conditions! Regardless, I give you Jolie Wentworth, second on GoodKnight, and James Atkinson, Alliston, (not sure how I made that mistake after typing his name a hundred times a day this weekend, but thanks for pointing it out!) the winner on Jumbo’s Jake.
I also spoke to Andrea Leatherman before we all rushed off in separate directions; as anyone in eventing or horse sports know, it can all change so quickly – it looked like it might have been Buck’s weekend at one point, leading the dressage on his experienced four star campaigner, and with two nice back-ups, but in the end it wasn’t to be. I put poor Andrea on the spot and asked what it’s like to help a rider you’re close to cope with disappointment.
Many thanks to Andrea, and wishing her and Buck a very Happy Thanksgiving, unbelievably just around the corner! I hope everyone who made the trip out to California enjoyed themselves as much as Lily and I did, and wish them a safe journey home, and to you lucky buggers who live there – you don’t need my blessing, you already live the life! Go California and go Eventing!
