Sports in Pony Club
Aug 4-9
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Well, here we are safe and well in Ireland and having a great time. The journey here was a nightmare but we made it! We are all staying in and around the market town of Kilkenny and so far we have raced go carts, swum and sauna'd at a private exclusive club. We have been interviewed on the local radio station live! Today we are visiting the castle, attending a reception for us held by the Lord Mayor and going to the driving range! All are in good spirits but the girls are coming down with colds. The weather is less than ideal with overcast and rain every day but what can you do. The boys are off swim training now and they went for a good run yesterday. The day before they met the girls and ran in the castle grounds. We had a dinner party yesterday for 15 and another tonight for I think 22, so we are well fed!!! We leave by minibus early on Friday for Mallow County Cork for the final competition. Then home we come!
Sarah Read, Chaperone
August 16 A big Hello to everyone. We are having a grand time! Our first Competition was last weekend and the Canadian Team came 2nd. The Irish Team came in first. I'm not sure of the placings for the Brits or the Americans. The next competition takes place this weekend at Hartpury College (University of the West of England). We are all there now after a time spent with our Host Families and some training and sightseeing. Hartpury has an Equine program with an amazing X-Country Course. Today we did horse selections. The International Competitors will only be doing a stadium course. It is also a National Competition with 185 Members competing. The National Competitors will be doing the X-Country. We shoot and swim in the morning with the riding taking place in the evening. We have a day of rest and then the running happens. Then to Ireland on the 19th. The Canadian team is having a wonderful time travelling, training and competing with the other International Teams. Thanks to you all for your support in getting us There! The USA Team has a daily up date and you may be interested to check it out. Mercedes McLean August 15 We had a wonderful day. Everyone shot a personal best and the riding was a sight to see! Our lads stole the show with fantastic vaulting after the slip rail and 2 clears. We had about 500 spectators who cheered and clapped a lot and we received nothing but praise for out horsemanship and impressed everyone. The swim was a success too, so I am very pleased. Sarah Read, Chaperone August 10 Things have been very busy here and I have not had a chance to get near a computer. The first competition (UK Regional Championships) is over and the team did very well. Mathea was first overall and first in the girls shoot. Jordan Maynard came first overall in the men's run. The girls' team came second overall to Ireland, while the boys came third overall. Now all off to billets for three days, boys to the coast and girls to the city of Bath. More news and details when I next get to a computer. Sarah Read, Chaperone Day 1, August 5 The team arrived safe and sound at 7:30 am at Gatwick Airport. Gillie Summers met us and the US team at the airport and we all were delivered to our billets. We are meeting here at 2 for a training run and swim before a fun evening racing remote electric cars before supper at Antonias. The 2 girls here with me are down at the local barn with the pony clubber here. It is raining but warm. All is great so far! Sarah Read, Chaperone |