Up early and out to the venue to get ready for the cones. Jessica was up early and had almost finished plaiting Diamond when we got there at 6.30am. Michelle and I got “dressed” in presentation clothes and headed out to the cones warm up area with Diamond. At 7.30 Tim came down and took over the reins to allow Michelle and Liz to go and walk the cones course. Cones course was open between 8.00 and 8.50am. Just after 9.00 Michelle drove Diamond into the cones arena. It was the same area that the dressage had been in two days earlier. The course was flowing, had 20 cones, 3 serpentines but no bridges or boxes. Michelle drove a good round with a couple of cones down and just over time. It was nice to hear the Aussie crowd cheering as we went through the finish flags. i don’t have any pics of us going through the cones but I’m sure there were plenty of Aussies in the crowd who took photos.
At 11.30 it was Liz’s turn to do the cones. She did a good job with a couple of cones down but made the time.
Vin, Liz and Tim in Cones course
After the cones we had a bit of a relax and some of us came back to the hotel for a siesta (we had had a few early starts and they were beginning to take their toll!!). We headed back to the venue for the last of the cones. There was only one double clear for the whole competition, a Polish driver. (They sure had a great party later to celebrate which included dancing on the top of their lorry. Your intrepid blog reporter risked life and limb to get pics and a Polish flag!!!) Climbing up there was easy but climbing down it didn’t seem such a good idea!
Atop the Polish lorry!!
The Polish know how to have a good time!!
After the end of the cones we all harnessed up and there was a Closing Ceremony. Australia was the first to be presented to the crowd. Dot Willcoxson, our Chef d’Equip rode with Michelle and Diana and Ned rode with Liz. Vin and Diamond were well behaved as we trotted past the grandstands with cheers from the Aussie crew. All the countries were introduced one at a time and then when everyone was lined up presentations were made to the Individual and then the Team winners. Germany won both the Individual and the Team prizes. After a few speeches we were sent around the arena again, this time we followed the host nation, Italy. It was a very special occasion!
Closing ceremony
Patriotic Groom!!
After the ceremony was over it was time to start packing for home!! Ugh, how does all this stuff go back in the lorry. There was much celebrating and swapping of shirts and email addresses and Wendy brought out the wine!!
Wendy, Glen and Ned enjoying a quiet moment
The lorry is pretty much packed with 3 vehicles loaded and just the horses to put on, the last vehicle to load and then Tim and I will head off in the morning.
It has been an amazing event, we all learnt heaps, we are all tired but happy.
Well done to all of you. Lorraine, you have done an excellent job with the blog. It has been great knowing what’s been happening. Have a safe trip back to the UK.
PS When’s the slide night?
Congratulations all of you on your efforts to get there and to compete. Fantastic
Also to Paula, who overcame extreme fear to fly over to Italy. Go girl!
Congratulations on a great job, I’m proud to have had both of you representing us all.
The adventure is not over yet, thanks Lorraine for keeping us so well informed, I’m sure there will be a few more posts to come as you make your way back to England and then to home.
Congrats to everyone for getting to follow your dreams!
Have a safe trip back
Congratulations to everyone involved in what has been a wonderful exposure of Aussie sportsmanship to the driving world. You have done us all proud….. Lorraine, it has been amazing following your blog. We cannot thank you enough for keeping us all in the picture, even when you must have been just soooooooo tired! Love from J, G, R & young Jessica.