Where to start really, so much happened this weekend! After a weekend of showing last weekend it was back to hanging out with my buddies in Jakeira for a weekend of partying and polo down at Silver Leys Polo Club in Bishop Stortford. I've not been there before so I was looking forward to seeing what it was like and meeting it's members.
Luckily the weather this weekend didn't disappoint as it was scorching hot and very sunny. With an afternoon match planned it meant a lay in and spent my morning packing and sorting things out ready to go.
Good old Mum and Dad lent me their tent, air mattress, pump and kitchen sink. Oh wait, no kitchen sink but they may as well have after all I borrowed, thank you to them!
The tent is pretty cool and is a large 4 person space with a bedroom compartment each end and a bit of living space in the middle, and personally I like it as it's nice and roomy!
Like a small annex really.. Sort of...
So after putting the tent up we got the horses ready for their first match. They hadn't played against this team before so it was going to be interesting to see how everyone fared.
The match kicked off and it soon became apparent it was going to a scrappy sort of match rather than fast and wide open. By that I mean the ball spends half it's time under the ponies legs rather than being hit long and fast. These matches can be a little frustrating for players as it's hard fishing a ball from under your or someone else's pony.
Alas the team did what they could to open up the game and with the 7 minutes per chukka whizzed by and each one more and more goals were racking up, it became apparent that Jakeira we're going to be the winners, so with the final whistle Jakeira came away victorious 7 goals to 1 against the Wycombe Wonderers .
50 Shades of Grey?
It was a wonderful result after an off weekend the weekend before and I think confidences we're rebooted and everyone glad to be back on form. The ponies were washed down, equipment packed away ready for the next days match and ponies taken to their paddock for the night to settle in.
With everything sorted we could have a drink and get ready for the party, which had already started by the time we got there!
Everyone absolutely starving were straight to the hog roast for a bun and some yummy roasted pork! Delicious! Thank you for having us Richard!
I won't go into the shenanigans of the night, but after a pretty good, if not absolutely arctic, nights sleep I woke to bright sunshine and what felt like I was actually cooking it was so hot in the tent. Freezing at night boiling in the morning, what's up with that? So much for a lay in! But now everyone being awake in the morning sunlight the day was started nursing sore heads, taking some pain killers and heading off to the nearest cafe for a fry up! I've not had one in literally about 2 years so it was so good!
Everyone's bellies now full of yummy fried breakfast we made our way back to Silver Leys for a morning of watching the polo in the sun, and how it was glorious!
Well done to all the other teams who played, it was really enjoyable watching some wonderful fast polo.
Minutes ticked by and in no time it was nearing time for Jakeira to play their finals match to see who would win the Printondemand-worldwide plate.
The ponies now were well rested and with full bellies were bought in and brushed, bandaged and tacked up, they did look rather smart as usual don't you think?
2.45 pm was the time of the match so the team made their way out on the pitch for a little team talk before the whistle blew to commence the match.
After the previous says scrappy 'tip tap' back and forth game it was nice to see that this was not going to be like that and Jakeira and the printondemand juniors were make it a great fast moving match with lots to watch while on the edge of your seat. Or like me if you prefer to stand, who can't sit down from nerves and anticipation!
Much to the credit of the the printondemand juniors who played really well, trying so hard to keep Jakeira away from the goal posts but alas couldn't as when then final whistle blew Jakeira they walked away from the match the winners 7 goals to 2.
Go Francis and Elvis go! Hot on his heels being chased by Marcus Cork
Maybe 7 is their lucky number this weekend?
It was nice to see everyone stick around for prize giving and having a good chat about their matches and how they enjoyed the day. Good to see!
With the day now getting late and everything already packed away earlier it was time to load up the horses and take them home after a very tiring weekend - they deserved it.
The sun drained everyone yesterday, so getting home and into a cold shower felt glorious!
Thank you everyone at Silver Leys for being so nice and welcoming, hopefully we'll be back soon. Thank you as ever to Carl and Jo for having me along, I always enjoy it! And for Francis, Emma, Emily and Steph just because!
Again well done to everyone who played this weekend, you all did amazingly!
Until next time... Sophie x
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