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On Saturday the 21st of July, I began my journey at 5am to Heathrow airport where I met the rest of the Great Britain team and our chaperone. We were all armed with our United States pony club manuals to keep us busy during the 9 hour flight to O’Hare airport, Chicago where we would have a 6 hour wait before getting on another plane to Kentucky, soon we were all chatting together getting to know each other, the revision manuals were put away and our new friendships began. The Pony Club Team

Once we landed in Kentucky, we were met and taken to the University of Kentucky where we stayed. On arrival we met the Canadian team and United States international team who we stayed with for the duration of the trip.

Before the competition began, we had several days of sight seeing. A private bus took us where ever we wanted to go! Over the few days we visited several breading barns, a research centre, the largest equine clinic in Kentucky and a baseball game. I feel very privileged to have visited some of the most famous stud farms in the world. Everyone we met was full of enthusiasm and seemed to enjoy showing off their prize stallions and amazing facilities! One of the highlights for me was seeing a horse on a treadmill at the medical research centre having his heart rate tested.

The evening before the first day of competing, we participated in the opening ceremony. Parading around the huge indoor arena with our country’s flag, felt like the Olympics!! We all felt very proud. Once every team had walked around the arena, everyone lined up. Two pony club members sang their national anthem, followed by the reading of the pony club pledge; the atmosphere during this ceremony was full of passion and excitement.
After receiving 3rd place in the competition, we then went on a river boat for a tropical cruise where we had a buffet and live music.