Today started off grey and cold with rain, not quite what you expect in India, but we took it as a good omen for the British as this is our weather.
First up was Indian file, which we have been training hard for. This is the event where you ride one after another, as close as you can and pick up the correct peg in a single row.
The horses all arrived and the original plan was to put Sarah's horse first, as it was the fastest. However the grooms advised against this as said it wouldn't run straight so we quickly changed the order to me in front, Sarah, Michael and Rachel with the hardest job at the back.
First run with lance was good and we were level pegging in the lead with Sudan and no time penalties.
Second run was with sword, and we knew what Sudan had done and yes we picked up and were elated as we knew we couldn't be beaten by remaining teams, cue lots of celebrating in the GB camp as we had taken the gold.
Team lance followed, and whilst we put quite a few points on with Michael and I hitting 5/6 targets it was not quite enough to put us in the medals and Sudan won in style with multiple full houses.
I would also add that it rained hard at lunchtime and the event was delayed until the rain stopped, and then delayed further by a guy doing a display with a parachute and a fan strapped to his back.... frankly we were surprised the horses didn't panic as he was also dropping, confetti, rose petals and business cards all over the ground.
The overall championship and best rider went to Sudan, who are now a force to be reckoned with in the tentpegging world.
We got back at the hotel at 8pm and the gala dinner was at 8.30pm, however delayed to 9.30pm and we didn't get to eat until past 11pm. There is a strange tradition of presenting all the other teams with gifts for turning up, which is bizarre as you should really be thanking the organisers for hosting.
In all this was a good event for GB, and showed that we can hold our own against profession and government funded countries.
It would be great if the success here can help promote the sport back home in the UK.
No comments:
Post a Comment