Paralympics Beijijng Monday 15th Sept

Hello Everybody, sorry for the delay in writing, time ran away with me in Hong Kong. I was a bit upset after writing my last blog but I took it easy the day after ie Tuesday the 9th, I rode Youri around 7pm the night before my freestyle and he was pretty tough work and he spooked and bolted on my a few times and started bucking every time I tried to get him up in front of me but he ended up going well. Niall headed back to the hotel and Paul and I stayed at the stables and had a bit of craic with Finland and South Africa and England. Mum and Dad and Kelly and the gang went to Ocean World for the day. We also found out after a meeting that morning that I would be competing at 10am the next day and originally we were supposed to be on at night. I had bought 8 tickets for the night time and so at 9pm Aron rang and we had to run around looking for tickets for the morning competition. Treamy our helper said she would pick up the tickets and get them to Mum and Dad in time. I also bought tickets for them to go into the Federation tent where I could meet up with them and they could get out of the sun.

Wednesday - 10th September - We got to the stables at 8am, Niall warmed him up and I got on at half nine. It was that hot that we decided to warm up in the indoor and spend as little time as possible in the heat. Just before I went into the arena Paul poured a bottle of cold water down my back. Youri started to back off on me and I had to smack him to get him to walk. He was up tight but the music fitted him well and I rode my heart out and he didn't give me an inch and we ended up with 65% and placed 8th out of a class of 18. So all in all a good day, I met up with Mum and Dad and Shannon and Zoe and Aron and Leon and Grainne and had a cry (I thing it was relief that the pressure was off!). We had a few hours together and they headed off. Paul and I spent the afternoon having a few beers and chatting. Paul fed Youri and we had a water fight and then went to see the grade 4's competing and the prise giving. A big congrats to Phillipa from South Africa who won gold, you were both amazing. We met up with Nick (the lady who ran the Federation tent) and Grainne Willis(an amazing Irish lady who climbed mount everest and who is currently working for the Hong Kong Jockey Club) we have been having great laughts with them). I finally got back to the hotel about 2.

Thursday - 11th Sept - I went and did a bit of shopping in the morning and at 2 I picked up Paul and Niall and Nick from the stables and we went to Beas River Country Club. The gang from South Africa and Ireland (including my family) were invited and we had a lovely lunch and a grand tour, and saw where the eventers competed at the Olympics. A huge thanks to Nick for being so kind and great company. We got back to the stables and sorted Youri out and Paul had just started packing for the journey home. Treamy rang to say I had to go to the 5th floor and get my prize and I didn't understand what she meant so I went along and I was presented with a certificate and a rosette and a plack for Youris stable (apparently prizes went to 9th place) so that was a cool surprise. Treamy and I went to Mum and Dads hotel with some of my luggage which they said they would bring home and we brought over my prieses to show off!! It was the last night of competition and so I headed back to the stables and I was just in time to see the medal ceremonies and I couldnt stop crying and every time I looked at Nick she was crying too!! Afterwards we all headed to the media hotel and danced the night away and we had a great time. I lost Paul and Niall somewhere along the way and finally made it back to the hotel around 7am. My lovely pal Orti from Finland and some Chinese friends walked back to the hotel with me and my little scooter and we had some fun.

Friday - 12th Sept - We were supposed to go to a farewell lunch which Niall and Paul and I all missed!! Paul met up with us at the hotel and we went shopping for the afternoon. We went for a pizza and met up with Treamy and headed for the Peak. We had a great evening and the view of Hong Kong from the Peak was out of this world.

Saturday 13th - All Youris luggage was collected at 10.30. Niall and I met up with Treamy and Lewis and went to the stables to collect Paul and Lewis took us off to a little fishing village and we had a walk around and then went for lunch. The chef came out to take pictures when they heard we were here for the Paralypmics!! We got back to the stables around 3.30 and let Youri out for a final run around and at 5.30 the trailers started to arrive to take them to the airport. We all waited to see him off. Once Harvey got on the trailer Youri was mad to get on with him and loaded fine. It was near 7 before Niall and I got back to the hotel and we and for dinner with Lianne from Holland, and Omer and Dror from Isreal. Niall and I got back to the hotel at 8.30 had a quick shower and back out to a party at Grainnes house. We stayed for a few hours chatted to some good people.

Sunday 14th - I was dragged out of bed at 5.30 am to get to the airport to catch a flight to Beijing most of the athletes were heading in the same direction. We flew with Chinese Air and all the athletes got to go first class which was exciting. We got to the village about 3 and I got my room and had a chat with some of the guys and then had a shower and Kathleen and Alan got me and my scooter to the workshop to get fixed again!! We then watched our swimmer Darren from Gorey win a sliver medal at the tender age of 14!! WELL DONE DARREN. I went for some dinner and then met up with my pals from Singapore and spent the evening with them.

The Paralympic village is huge and swarming with bodies from all nations, I am sharing a room with Liz the swimming coach, its just all so different from Hong Kong and I miss home and I am a bit lost now!! Paul went home with Youri, Niall went home to work. Today I had a lie in and made my way to the laundry and got to the post office and went for luch with liz and here I am at the computer finally catching up. We have a night out at the Irish Embassy tonight and tomorrow I hope to get some shopping done and we are all going to the birds next to watch John compete. So thanks again to all for your great messages, cant wait to get home now and see you all. Get Well soon Denise.