June 15, 2018

After a solid nights (much needed sleep) we are up and getting ready to headed out to Future Stars competition. Our hosts (Mel and Andrew’s) girls, Grace and Lilli are riding in this competition and we are going to help out. They do so much for us, as does MGAGB, that we are happy to have the chance to return the favor. I also think this will be an excellent opportunity for the team to get warmed up for the competition set up over here before we go to the one we are competing in next weekend.

A little video from out the door of our camper. One of the amazing views at Mel’s House.

There are a lot of neat things to learn about Wales. For example, all the signs are in English and Welsh. And Welsh is a rather complicated language. The kids can go to a Welsh speaking school or an English speaking school. And there is proper Welsh, which the girls are learning in school, and “slang Welsh” which Melanie says is what Andrew speaks. It also sounds very different in various parts of Wales. Last year when we were in the northern part of the country I thought the dialect sounded very melodic, almost like they were singing to each other. And in that particular area it seemed like everyone was chatting in Welsh.

A book on the kitchen table to help with school.

Today was a lot of driving to the show grounds in Newark. Not the “Newark” grounds but another grounds just a few miles away. I am whipped.

Video

I indulged in fish and chips for lunch. Although I peeled off the friend layer and ate the fish out.

We also managed a grocery trip. Which is always an adventure.

I saw some Jam from my employer. Which was exciting. I would have missed it if the girls had not said “OMG, that is the best jam ever!” And pointed. Top shelf stuff that.

I grabbed some clotted cream and scones from the grocery store for later. Yum.

Of course we got tea too. I can’t wait.

Emma and I seem to compliment each other very well. Yesterday I drove, she organized and got everyone settled in for the night. Today I drove and she cooked and cleaned the place up.

The camper came equipped with dishes and cookware but now that it’s time to eat we can’t remember where the utensils are. So there was a little improvising necessary. (Emma is using the giant cooking spoon to eat her soup).

(Ps. Just tried the scones and clotted cream – soooo much better than I even expected. I used my finger as a butter knife because of the missing utensils).

Briefing is done and our tasks for tomorrow are assigned. It was also awesome to see so many old friends! Who would expect to get to see friends from – omg, what, 1994, 1995, 1996 time frame? (has it been that long), from other countries, and still be friends? It’s crazy! I love those ladies. And they are still the same lovely, smiling, friendly people they were then. It’s so special.

This venue is pretty special too. It’s a western facility. Which is so odd over here in the land of English riding. The cafe/bar is called “The Slide Inn”. I love it. It is all western with country music playing. You wouldn’t know it is in England except for the English breakfast menu posted.

We are all showered, the team is watching a movie, and we are settled for the night. I am about to tuck in and I just noticed that – although I grabbed a sleeping bag at random from the pile of seven matching red sleeping bags, I apparently grabbed the same one I had last year. Wild. I love when things fall out like that.

June 14, 2018

The flight was normal. Good movies. I watched Black Panther, Jumaji, and The Last Jedi. Well I slept through those movies. I noticed Fenya watching Peter Rabbit.

Some airport antics video:

Our car to take us to the camper didn’t show up…

I am updating this post (at least so far) as the day proceeds. We have our ride sorted out now and are expecting our driver, Mark, shortly. The camper place forgot to book the connection and feels horrible. While we wait I am going to indulge in my first Costa of the trip.

Is my nose getting bigger?

I also swapped my SIM card while we waited. Just got to rave about the $30 for 13gb deal with unlimited talk/text. And it works in Europe too. Nice. It really beats the Verizon global $10/day plan.

in route to get the camper with our driver Mark.

This camper is so nice.

Sadie navigated for the drive to meet up with Emma.

We made it to Mel’s (with several pitstops for Krista to wake up). Wooo! And Mel got us right onto ponies.

We got to take Smokey, Gem, and Jasmina for a spin in the manage.

We kept it brief but it was fun!

Then we hurried off for a bite to eat down the road at the pub before they closed.

Steak and ale pie. Yum

we are back at Mel’s. It’s 10 and still light out. Emma is organizing everyone unpacking into the camper and I am sacking out for the night.

Tomorrow we head to The Future Stars competition.

Good night.

June 13, 2018

Today is the day. I am sitting in terminal 7 at gate 5 at JFK airport with the five riders waiting to board our flight to England. Charlie kindly dropped four of us off (brave man driving home from New York in early rush hour traffic), and we met the two other riders at the gate. We will meet up with the other team manager, Emma when we get over to England.

This year’s team consists of three veteran team players, Eliza, Steph and Caroline. These three have made the trip before and know the program. I am very excited to have them manning the ropes.

They are joined by fellow MGAA riders Sadie and Fenya, who I have no doubt will both hold their own with no problem.

This is a really good team in both personality and in riding.

We will be blogging here during our trip. We will try to keep it as updated as possible. We hope you will follow our adventures and feel free to share these posts as well.

Now to wait for our plane to board ( I tend to be chronically early).

August 25, 2016 

In the US we use light weight hula hoops for the “Tyre” race.  Up in Wales, and many other places, they use an actual tire.  Here is Rob helping the team learn the tyre technique. 

Click here to video the video
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August 22, 2016

We managed to get so busy on our trip that we didn’t get to blog post much. 

Here is a wrap up of the trip by team rider Mackenzie. 

The mgaa international trip was definitely the highlight of my summer and the greatest experience of my life. In the 2 weeks that we were in england/wales i have learned so much and i know that i grew as a rider. Competing at world individuals was such an amazing opportunity for me, i am so thankful for krista and melanie for helping me ride such a difficult pony with all the amazing riders from around the world. This trip has given me so many memories i will never forget and i know that if i was ever asked to do it again i 100% would.