August 2, 2013

Today was the start of the Welsh Championships in Chepstow Wales.

The grounds are packed with lorys, trailers and tents and there are games ponies everywhere.

We tried to catch Makenzie in her first session in under 17 but missed it. We did do arena party and take photos of our friend’s team, Dorset Red. During their heat it pour. The rain came and went throughout the day.

Our first session was pretty sloppy. Just stupid mistakes. But by the end of the short 7 race session the nerves seemed to settle a little.

Mark stopped by while we were having lunch and we discussed me picking up some equipment later that evening.

The girls want me to explain (they are dictating right now) that Mark Devit is a mounted games celebrity. He is like the Leonardo DeCaprio of the mounted games world. (Back to me talking) He was really nice and welcoming and made them really feel a part of the bigger games world. He even let the team borrow his extra towel since we did not remember to bring one.

The second session of seven races went a lot better. We got more than double the points we received in the first session. For the most part everyone rode well with very few mistakes.

We spent some time socializing and making new friends. It was tons of fun. I ran into some more old friends including Marilynn Hackman and Elizabeth Draper. I was so happy to see them. They told me that another old friend, Richard was out on his stag night (bachelor party) but would be back in the morning.

A little after the last heat of the day they had a veterans showcase competition. There were 8 teams and they were amazing with tons of spectators. Some of them were vaulting like champs and others not so much. There were a few tumbles and a few riders walked off the field. Rob looked fantastic out there and his team won. I know my team at home, and other fellow adult riders would have really enjoyed it. It made me itchy to join in that’s for sure.

Megan and I met up with Mark to finalize the equipment order and discuss it with the French guy, who’s name eludes me at the moment. It was a good discussion ad everything is square to pick up in the morning.

After a little bit more socializing it was time to get ready for the social (called a disco and a fancy dress). Basically it was a costume party with clubs/teams all dressing a like.

We were cheerleaders, complete with pom-poms. Annie painted USA on our tanks tops and everything was red white and blue, including our makeup, done by artist, Leah.

Juliet, Sophie, and Colin joined us and dressed up as well. We had a special vest and blue wig to top off Colin’s out fit. He even let Leah apply his makeup while Sean puffed my pigtails up.

We marched up to the party and presented ourselves to the costume judges complete with a cheer that Colin made up and led. “1, 2, 3, 4, who’s that knocking on my door?” Lots of fun.

The costumes at this event were amazing. And some clubs had so many people to dress up the same it was crazy. There were crayons everywhere. Mackenzie was a pink one.

There were two separate sets of Smurfs, and some were still Smurf colored the next morning during the final. There were also minions (the yellow things from despicable me) the flintstones and various other cavemen also made an appearance. There were cowboys and Indians, Spartans and Spartanettes, the Harry Potter Gang, a ring master and performers, bachelorettes from my gypsy wedding, and tons of others.

I’ll try to load a little video on another post all it’s own.