Hickstead Premier League

Well we set off to catch up with Sam at Hickstead. Frank and the Moodys were already enroute. Having made sure that the yard was looked after we were looking forward to a weekend off; even if it was horses again! Phil quite enjoys the show jumping so after a spot of dressage we planned to hop on over to the jumping classes and of course the extended shopping valley!

The sat nav was absolutely useless.... we ended up in nowhere and cutting it really fine to get there to see Sams first test...! Finally we arrived but we were not allowed to go the wagon to collect our parking tickets and of course everyone was busy warming up etc so no-one answering phones. We spied Sam in the warm up and her time was drawing near but still we could not get in. Finally we joined the parking queue, paid our dues and as fast as we could parked and ran to the arena. As we walked closer we saw Sam in the far arena...we crept out the way so as not to distract and watched the test.. Cant believe we are at Hickstead for the weekend. Its fab.

The scores were in and Sam was a credible 4th place - not overly pleased with the test but then again she is rather self critical. It was only the first day. It was great to catch up as we havent seen her for a while with being away from home. Anyway we watched a bit of jumping and then went off to find our hotel. It was a great little place but we could only stay there one night and had to move to another for the second night. We ate at the B&B and then decided we would go to Brighton for thhe evening however when we went to move our car we were greated by lots of Morris Dancers!!! No way were we going anywhere so we decided to stay put and found ourselves in the beer garden a bit bemused!

Music and dancing - took us back to ancient times! What it would have been like and the culture. Everyone was really friendly and made us realise that it was this community spirit that was lacking in the north! Anyway a few drinks later and off to bed we went. Early rise so we would miss breakfast but there was a little tray put together for us so we could have cereal etc before we left.

We arrived on site and Sam was on early. We watched in the warm up and becky had taken her stirrups away! It was a great atmosphere. Fab to catch up with everyone that we had made friends with over the shows and trips away... Time to enter... I always get a bit blank at this point... she rode a lovely test and seemed pleased with the performance today. results were in and a 1st place. In the prize giving Kwad can be a little giddy but Sam loves his spark. He didnt dissapoint with a lovely prize giving. Sam was presented with a fab rug. Very plush. That was it for the day so off we went to watch some more show jumping and then a quick chat with sam and off to the new hotel.

We had yet another early rise... Sam was riding two classes today. AMSQ and Junior Music Freestyle. In the Advanced Medium she was earlyin again and the class was going on for quitesome time so it was a long wait. The result were in and so far she is in the lead... Now warming up for the music and again a super test. So now we wait.. We hae had such a fab weekend, morris dancers, show jumping, dressage and of course spending time with Sam... well it was Paul Hayler who led the class in the Advanced Medium and pipped Sam into 2nd place. It was a shame as Sam has not had the time to try to qualify for the regionals and then the nationals with focusing on gaining experience of the team tests etc. A win would have secured her a place direct to the Nationals. She was not dissapointed though and the weekend was a great experience. Her first Hickstead and very pleased. In the Freestyle she was again in the lead so another prize giving. Kwad was so excited this time.... another party... !

Anyway we left for home, said our good byes and off we went for the 7 hour drive home!!!