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We will be updating this post throughout the day, so keep checking back for more updates as we get them!

Patti B writes:

Hi Everyone,

It seems that not all of you were bored out of your mind by the step by step ravings of a dressage groupie, and would like more of the same.

First, I have been asked to put a little background to our interest in a less than popular sport – that, of course, is before we won a Gold Medal at the Olympics!

Some of you know that Alice is a professional dressage rider and trainer, who has also trained to Grand Prix level, but you may not know that she worked for Carl Hester for a year before University and has been in continuous training with him for the last fifteen years. In that time, we have become good friends with him and have watched all the hard work, tears and tribulations that have been associated with his journey to a Gold Medal. So we have obviously taken a keen interest in these games. I have also been his chief cake maker – always making sure he has ‘slimming’ carrot cake when he is watching his weight!

Today, I shall be sending you quickie reports as they are happening.

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Our thanks to Patti B, who sends us this report. Patti’s live Tuesday updates can be found here.

Just as Graham and Amanda were delighted to get their chosen tickets, we were over the moon to get all twelve tickets for the dressage qualifiers and finals. I don’t know quite how it happened, as I haven’t met anyone else that has managed to get tickets for all four days – I didn’t dare tell anyone for a few months, as I felt embarrassingly lucky.

Having been closely involved with the team members, we have been very aware of the years of training and campaigning that have gone into getting both horses and their riders to Olympic level and free from injury at the last moment. Not only is Equestrianism the only sport where men and women compete on an equal level, it’s the only sport where teams can be jeopardised by injury from either component.

There is a feeling of excitement and euphoria wherever you go. As you can see from the photo of Alice, there was no doubt who were supporting, and we were constantly cheered on by city workers on their way to their desks as we made our way to Greenwich Park. The whole of London seems decked out in Olympic pink and purple. Thousands of cheery volunteers shepherd you every step of your way. On the first day we took the 40 min Thames ferry – London looked gilded and shining from the river – like a journey through the history books.

Despite all the rumours we had been hearing, we were through the security in five minutes at the arena, where there was not an empty seat in sight. It was packed to the sky with flags and national colours. The red, white and blue of Team GB supporters actually outnumbered the orange blocks from the keen Netherlanders for a change.

Historically, Britain has never been good at dressage – in the 100 year history of the Games, we have never won a medal. But that could be about to change!! For the first time ever, we are top of the leader board at the end of the Grand Prix Qualifiers. Our team of Carl Hester. Charlotte Dujardin, and Laura Bechtolsteimer are currently leading the way from the Germans and Dutch who have dominated the scene for decades. The crowds of supporters screamed and cheered at the end of every test and erupted in an explosion of clapping and foot stamping after Charlotte broke Olympic records on Day Two. Who says dressage is boring?

Tuesday will see the top seven nations riding the Grand Prix Special for Team medals and then after a day’s rest, the top competitors will ride the Kur (dressage to Music) on Thursday for Individual medals. We are thrilled to know that we will be there, to witness the possibility of the first Olympic medal ever for the Brits in dressage. Keep your fingers crossed!

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Thanks to Debbie W for sending us this report…

What an amazing weekend Trev and I had. We had tickets to see the Olympic Tennis, but as the friends we were staying with live at Box Hill, managed to “catch a freebie” and roll up to watch the road race on Saturday.

From our vantage point, the riders went past eight times – then we legged it back to our friends as quick as we could, to catch the end of the race. The people behind us had a stop watch, so we were keeping track of the splits. It was really exciting.

The atmosphere was wonderful – the crowds were happy, everyone well behaved, the police were just fab – I can’t say how impressed I was with the whole thing. I was so proud to be British – even though American by birth.

The next day we went to the tennis. Again, so well organised. Saw quite a few soldiers helping with security and made a point of thanking them – they actually seemed to be enjoying themselves, I think many people were also expressing their gratitude to them.

Andy Murray, for all his grumpy reputation, was really gracious to the crowd and spent AGES signing autographs for children after the match – longer than any other player we saw by far. Boys: Maria Sharipova is very tall, and very beautiful in real life. This does not, however, make up for her funny little squeaks and squeals.

We thanked heavens for the roof on centre court, as the heavens certainly did open on the day.

I urge anyone able to catch a glimpse of the Olympics, either by “catching a freebie” or buying a ticket, to do so. It really is something special. All weekend Trevor and I just kept saying “We are so lucky to be doing this!”

Debs

To scroll through Debbie’s gallery in full size – including an exclusive Andy Murray action shot! – please click on any thumbnail image.

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