Longines
Global Champion Tour & Global
Champions League of London 3rd – 5th August 2018
Wow. What
class. A historic weekend for showjumping. The best of the best were in London
this weekend, Britain’s best town, in one of London’s iconic settings, Royal Hospital
Chelsea and the title was taken by Great Britain’s very own Scott Brash. But no
one seems to know?! Why is this not mainstream headline news?!
I took
the weekend out to go and ogle at my idols, breathe in the atmosphere and soak
up a bit more of this gloriously unexpected Great British Summer. Credit must
be given to the show organisers; it really was the best competition I’ve been
to as a spectator. With an access [nearly] all areas vibe, you could watch the
warm up and with unreserved seating you could choose to either sit in the
covered grandstand or ring-side, right in the thick of the action. I now have a
true understanding of just how jaw-droppingly big and wide a 1.60m track is! I
even had the chance to watch the riders walk the course, pacing out the
distances, making a plan. It then occurred to me that all the key attributes
these riders have, nerves of steel, the ability to make a plan and adjust it in
a flash, are all things that I practice on a day to day basis, just in a
different setting.
My role
as an Executive Assistant involves making sure all aspects of the business are
operating smoothly and efficiently. With staff based across 5 sites there are a
lot of variables! Tensions can and do run high so having the ability to remain
calm under pressure is key. This definitely helps me on show days, especially when
tackling the warm up arena.
I build
relationships daily, in the office and at the yard. A well-trained horse will
perform for you, but your best friend will dig that bit deeper for you should
things not go quite to plan. I don’t believe in skill or luck alone.
As an amateur
it is easy to feel threatened by riders who spend more time in the saddle than
you but thanks to LGCT I feel an affinity to my idols and the dream is that
little bit closer. Sometimes, less is more. You can learn just as much out of
the saddle as in it.
(photo Juien Epaillard & Usual Suspect d'Auge, FRA)
