Gold Gold Gold Gold!

I am so glad I decided to go to Rotterdam! What a fantastic 2 days! I only wish I was still there and could see the individual medals too but alas work and judging back here called. FEI TV will have a new member tonight as I do not intend to miss a thing!
We arrived late Tuesday night and took a taxi to the Van der Valk hotel which was superb. Everyone was so friendly and helpful although I must remember next time to take the lap top and plugs as even though 3 pin plugs were on the desk station it was impossible to plug in hair straightners or phone chargers! The first person I bumped in to was David Holmes who is now Chef d'equipe for Italy. I have to admit to be so excited that I didn't sleep at all well the first night. We took the shuttle early to the show ground and were lucky enough to catch Carl just finishing working Utopia. He stopped to say hello and advised us to go to the pancake house!Obviously good food is always a priority when going for gold! Utopia walked around on a long rein as relaxed and calm as he is at home. Everyone looked so chilled and happy, the sun was shining and history was about to be made.
The stadium and arena were really good although having to show your ticket every 5 minutes was a bit of a pain, those bracelets we have are a much better system. We met up with Claire Hester, Isobel Barber, Glynnis Hemming and Tommy and became the official cheer leaders in our section of the stands. We had great support from the Dutch fraternity who were very keen for us to do well. Many had not seen Charlotte and Valegro but they sure knew who she was after her test. Cool dude our Charlotte! Her test was amazing, she rode her heart out and Valegro took everything in his great big stride! We watched as the 8s appeared in droves and held our breaths until the last salute, then we cheered and whistled and waved the Union flag. And Charlotte? Well she just walked around on a long rein smiling and waving to everyone while the commentator complimented her on her riding! Poor Mr Hester was hanging on to a telegraph pole throughout the test and admits to shedding a few tears to see his protegees do so well. 78+% went up on the score board and stayed in the lead all day! Emile rode a soft test and vindicated the choice to send him. There were a few mistakes but the horse never lost his cool and Emile rode classically well for 70+% we were on our way to a medal for sure! Only Isobel Werth got close on the first day and went into 2nd place with 75% on a horse few of us had seen before. His piaffe let him down a bit but her zig zag and changes were high scoring.
We were now in a celebratory mood so set off to the central bar which was situated behind the stand at A and was made up of decking with a central bar and shops and food stands around the perimeter. There was a huge stage with a big screen where we could watch the dressage from the main arena whilst sipping chablis. This would be great at Stoneleigh! Bruce and I slipped off to the pancake house in the woods and enjoyed Grandmas cooking. The pancakes were huge and came in savoury and sweet toppings. One pancake would keep you going all day! Der Big, as the shack was called, became the most popular place on site. Where else would you be able to sit with the likes of Kyra Kirkland, Richard White, Patrik Kittel and the British team at a CDIO? We really felt a part of it all. We all got a bit tipsy and when the DJ started up the music Im afraid we all partied by boogying on the decking while the rest of Europe looked on obviously bemused by the British!We took a taxi back to Claires Hotel to continue our celebrations and to let Tommy eat! Six ladies and one guy crammed into a cab and giggling hysterically with the radio blasting would not happen over here! The taxi driver was an elderly chap with a good sense of humour and refused to let us pay! Later we met up with the Brits at their hotel but they were so good and went to bed at 9 30pm. Quite rightly so! By midnight I was ready for bed and did sleep like a log all night!
For those who like bling...there was masses of it! They even had crystal brow bands with earrings to match! But, as I have said before, these will not get you submission or throughness!
Carl was on at 10 38 am so we got our seats early and watched some superb combinations. And then it was his turn. You could here a pin drop. We all held hands. From a good halt he came out in a fabulous trot and then extension for 8s and 9s. Please just watch the rest since it was so amazing I cannot do it justice. The last extension could not have been executed any better and I let slip the word TEN rather louder than I wanted! In the next moment the score board flashed up 10 and a murmur went around the stands. Carl said he heard it and thought there must be a bird in the arena so had a look around just in case! He then realised he must have got some tens and relaxed and finished the test in spectacular style. The crowds went crazy! Cheering and clapping a standing ovation from every nation! We were crying and laughing at the same time, we knew it was a good score! 82.8% went up and into the lead. Just to prove that the Hester horses really are relaxed Utopia walked out on a long rein with out turning a hair! Carl went out to masses of photographers and reporters but still had time to stop and thank his supporters or hug a friend. What a truly talented and grounded man he is and how lucky are we to have him! He even joined us for lunch at the pancake house!
All we needed now was a clear round and we had worked out that Laura would only need 72% to keep us in gold position. Alf got a bit tense and strong and Laura had to rescue him a few times but she kept the lid on for 77% Job done! We cheered her home! Totilas was as always extraordinary and the partnership is beginning to grow but there were some expensive mistakes and Carl had made history in earning more marks than Totilas. What a proud day for Britain! How sad to return home and find nothing in the papers and very little on the news. I am writing to the daily mail and offering my services as their equestrian reporter! At least I know the difference between show-jumping and eventing! Whilst I am singing praises, tributes to Fiona and Alan who looked after Valegro and Utopia impeccably and who I did not get to see due to the fact that they worked so hard!To owners, Roly Louard and Sasha Stewart who along with Carl own Valegro and Utopia. Also to Dicky Waygood a real gentleman and envoy for our country. By the way it was Dicky who informed me that the union jack is only called that when aboard a ship, otherwise it is known as the Union flag! You live and learn!
So congratulations to our wondrous team and very good luck for the individual medals!
Tomorrow is another day but enjoy this reflected glory and be inspired...be very inspired!!!