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London International Horse Show Olympia
We've did it ! Saith Magical Dream qualified for Olympia in 2005.
Miracles and Angels - Olympia 2005
When Janet Hardy asked whether we could put down in words the exciting day we had at Olympia, I just smiled.
I smiled because the Saturday before Olympia (which was on the Monday) we still didn't know if Saith Magical Dream would be going.
It all happened a week before with me taking Dream on a long hack and organising with Tracey that we would school Dream the week before Olympia, every day and have her "perfect" ! So I thought it would be nice, before she has a week of schooling, which is not one of Dream's favourite things. During this hack we went over a bridle path that was very stony and something spooked Dream and she rushed off. I didn't think anything of it at the time. The blacksmith was coming the next day, so she stayed in that night because of the mud we have in our fields. Come the morning and blacksmith was there bright and early, pulled her out of the stable and he started on her.
Dream was very fidgety and I couldn't understand why as she normally stands and goes to sleep. The blacksmith left and we went to put her back in the stable as Tracey was coming up. She could hardly move. I just couldn't believe it. She just lifted the one foot of the ground and virtually sat back. I just looked at Steve, who quickly rang the blacksmith. He said that she would be better with the shoes kept on and it would go in a couple of days.
Steve and I put her in the barn which has a very soft floor and then we started putting 2 and 2 together. She had bruised her sole and the shoes had made it worse. I was now looking at Dream, who seemed happy in herself, but would not move. Ok, we have 8 days before Olympia; she should be over it soon. On Tuesday 6 days before Olympia she was still the same and now I was getting worried., no riding, and I had to drop the feed right back because obviously she was not doing anything. She was getting better each day, but not enough. I knew that in a couple of weeks she would be fine and working again, but we didn't have that time, we had 6 days, and there's no way that we would go if she was the slightest bit lame.
So were we going or not ? My family had booked hotels, everyone was so looking forward to seeing Dream there, and my ambition from a little girl of being at Olympia was looking like it wasn't going to happen. Steve was brilliant, positive and saying she would be ok. I wasn't so sure. The past six months, after qualifying, had been fantastic, so looking forward to going, planning everything and very excited, it was all coming down around us. I was gutted.
I had to go and fill the water trough in the field and sat on the edge of it. All this time I had been wishing and hoping and so excited, especially as she came 3rd at Horse of the Year Show, maybe we would be placed. I had not realised how I had taken everything for granted, all I was worried about was whether she would hold it together, didn't imagine that we might not even get there to know. It was a powerful reminder how something that was the biggest event in our showing lives was so dependent on Dream being sound, all I wanted now was just to get there, didn't matter about placings, just to be there.
While sitting on the tank, Saith Magical Charm came down and stood next to me and put her head on my shoulder. I must admit that I cried at that point. Just felt terrible that I had let so many people down, Tracey especially, as this was her ambition as well. Then something just clicked inside of me and I remembered the film "Independence Day" (don't ask why!) and thought to myself, its not over until the fat lady sings. I was not going to give up until Monday 3.00am - which was our cut off point to get to Olympia in time.
I gave Charm a huge hug, went and got a bucket and started hosing Dream's foot down. It was very hot. I sat on that bucket for hours, just hosing and hosing and thinking that it has to work. Dream just stood there, it was as if she knew. In between hosing, we flew around the place picking up garlic, seaweed, carrots, chaff with multi vitamins, anything that I could think of that would help with circulation and healing, but obviously nothing that would affect a drug test.
So from Tuesday to Saturday that's all I did, hose and hose and each day she became better, and better, but a bit worried about her hoof starting to look webbed! She was walking and although still stiff, she was moving around. Christmas shopping was out, Peter my husband had to organise kids etc., while I just sat on a bucket, and Steve just dealt with all the other horses and did the day to day things. She was still bright in herself and I think that's what kept me going. On the Saturday she seemed sound, and was trotting around the barn - absolutely fed up at being in. We decided that Tracey would ride her. I hosed her down in the morning and much to my delight she was walking around and doing the usual Dream thing of not standing. First time ever I haven't shouted to her to stand still.
Tracey walked her down to the field and she slowly trotted her around and the test was a trot downhill. She was ok, in fact, brilliant. I was now crying through joy ! Steve, of course, saying, I knew she would be ok! ahhhh !!!
Tracey did one small canter and we left it at that.
Next day, on the Sunday, the box had 10 inches of sawdust on the floor, although she was sound, I didn't want to take any chances. We arrived at Olympia in good time and Dream travelled superbly as usual. I was just so pleased to be there, that I was going to enjoy every single moment. Steve was already enjoying himself nattering to all and sundry !
Firstly the vetting, Rugs off and the vet walks around and then looks at the passport and looks again and again. This is taking too long I thought, panic! He then said that she hadn't had her 6 month injection. I went numb. What next, I thought; Tracey said that we didn't need it, and showed the paperwork from the NPS to prove this. The vet rang "upstairs" and they confirmed that a yearly one was fine. Ann Nicholls came over just as all this finished and asked if everything was ok. Yes it was now. Phew, Tracey and I were in fits of giggles - mostly through total nervousness - at where we would have stashed the vet's body without anyone finding it!
Took Dream down to the stable which was next to the Shetlands and we had dales and fells on either side and Chris Davies with Treforth Ebony a bit higher up, and Floret Angie and Carol Isaacs over the way. The atmosphere was amazing. It felt so comfortable and so easy with every one being so friendly and, of course, excited.
We settled Dream down and gave her some feed (still not on much) and just looked around. We are here, and I felt tearful again ! I had bought some ice stickers that you put on your shoulder etc if it hurts and it keeps cold for 8 hours. Put it on her hoof just to make sure that no heat comes back into it - totally over cautious, I know.
We then wandered around as Dream was contended and fell asleep. Wow, showjumpers everywhere. I said to Tracey we are all having one glass of champagne and I don't care how much it costs. Well I did ! £8.50 for one glass!!! So bought one for Tracey, and myself and Steve drew the short straw and had a bottle of water ! It was worth it though, as we watched the finale with our glasses (and plastic bottle) in our hands and again emotions were running high. Spooky thing was that one of the songs in the finale was "Dream ." Definitely shivers down the spine moment.
My family had arrived and so I went off and had a lovely meal with them and then it was suddenly the next day. Up at 6.00am feeling a bit queasy through nerves and praying again that she was ok through the night.
Tracey and Steve already there after having not much sleep, and Dream was fed, watered and asleep - totally chilled by it all. Tracey grabbed my arm and took me down to the entrance of the Olympia ring. She said, just walk into the ring. I did, and the buzz of atmosphere that hit me was incredible. There was no-one there, not a sound except the horses moving around and this feeling was electric. Again the tears! By now I was seriously thinking of investing in shares for Kleenex!
We took Dream out of the stable and trotted her up and down in the collecting ring, YES she was still sound . Happy and bouncy as usual. We were going to do it; we were going to be in that ring!
I took off her cooling strip - oh no - the cooling strip had made her hoof go green ! Oh no what next, I thought; Steve, Steve, quick off to find black hoof polish - at £12.50 a tub !!!
Warm up time and we really weren't sure whether she could do her fabulous cob trot. Tracey started off slowly and then Dream just went. Relief for Steve and myself. She still seemed a bit stiff, but was ok.
Now we had to start getting her shined up as time was flying and I said to Tracey, ok you'd better get your number ready. I had this look given to me. Oh no, what next, I thought; Steve, Steve quick get to the box, so off he went 15 minutes travelling to and from the box and got the number.
Dream was ready for her first entry into the ring. This is when all the natives go around together and walk and trot and then come out. Dream walked in, which surprised me. She then trotted and went well and came out, and the show had started. We waited for our turn being last of the natives and in they went. They all went around and Tracey asked Dream to extend and off she went ! I was over the moon and couldn't talk, could hardly stand and had a fistful of hankies ready. Steve on the other hand was in full flow, telling me exactly every movement Dream did. Just so grateful to be there and enjoying seeing Dream going around and Tracey's smile. Years of trying and dreaming of this moment and it was here. Wow did I feel great. I know Steve did too - a very proud moment.
Everyone lined up and we were third to go. The competitor before us did a lovely show and had, unfortunately for us, a huge clap for it. I was told that no one clapped at Olympia until all the ponies had done their show. Sadly this was not the case and from a very calm Dream, she then just exploded at the clapping and that was it. She wouldn't stand in front of the judge and broke twice during her display.
We were a bit sad, but really didn't mind because we were there, and to be honest that's all I prayed for; for the last 8 days. So these things happen. Tracey was understandably upset as she said that Dream was standing in the line up and, having shown her for this season, she had "the right feeling." She doesn't like noise and even with ear plugs in, it still affects her. Apart from that, Dream went really well and was sound and that's what really mattered. I knew it was nothing serious and it would heal quite quickly, but I think a Christmas miracle happened for her to heal so quickly! We came 5th out of 7 welsh cobs, and 25th overall, which I must admit I was very pleased with, thinking we would be last.
We then went in to get the rosettes which were beautiful and had a rug given to us by Baileys the sponsors, which will be embroidered with Dream's name on it.
At the final presentation, Dream was as good as gold until another competitor's horse turned and back into her which then set her off. Tracey did well to manager her! Dream was certainly part of the entertainment at that stage. !
Once it was all over, I just sat in the stable with Dream and went over everything during the last week and thought, it had definitely been all worth it. It is an amazing show with such atmosphere I have never felt before and we were so lucky to be a part of it. The amount of people who said how well she went, and enthused about her trot, made up for the disappointment. She was there against all the odds and still tried her heart out for us.
We packed up and made the long journey home. When home, Dream was rugged up and turned out with her herd in the wee small hours. First good night's sleep I think all of us had in a week, although I think I smiled throughout the night.
All over Christmas, it was all I could think of and how much I want to be back there again. Very addictive! Steve and I talked and talked about Olympia from the minute we saw each other until we left to go home. Dream was going to be put in foal this year, but now we are going to try again and if extremely lucky enough to qualify, hopefully do things a bit differently, and maybe even go barefoot with her this season ! Or I am being too paranoid. !!!
We just have to say thank you to everyone who supported us during the last year and the many years before. To the NPS committee members that organised Olympia so professionally, and still had a smile on their faces; to Dream and Tracey without each of them, the most memorable and exciting day in our small stud's history wouldn't have happened, and to all our family and friends for being there, when we really needed them.
Also, thanks to the Angel that sat next to me on the bucket and helped me hose !
Steve Randall
Heather Davies
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