Having spent quite some time earlier in the year thinking that it would be an impossible feat - we finally got there!!

Thirteen teams accepted the challenge of quadrille this year and, after going first last year, we were delighted to see that we were drawn last this year. This also gave us the latest rehearsal slot on the Friday evening of 5:30pm, however, it was to prove an impossible time to make for me who, by some happy coincidence, also had a RE OfSTED on that very day. Fortunately, crew stalwart, Michelle Collins, agreed to ride Eric for the run through. Observers noted bemused looks from other teams who had come to get a sneak preview of our routine when our ‘team’ performed a selection of “random trotting and cantering to music”. At least we were certain that the audio system could read our disc although the feedback emitting from the PA did cause alarm in all quarters.

Good entries in the earlier DTM and Pairs classes meant a later than usual start for the quadrille – for us turnout at 5:15pm and performance at 7:40pm. Whilst meaning that we didn’t have to up at the crack of dawn – the late start presented other difficulties for our older horses not least Troy whose sore back Frances and Juliet had been nursing for several days.

Our crew showed their experience by ensuring that we were mounted and ready with minutes to spare (often it can be seconds!). The turnout inspection was far more cursory this year with barely a hand being laid on horse or tack. Nevertheless the judges were clearly impressed by the spectacle – overall, the standard of costuming improves year on year.

Our late draw meant it was difficult to see more than a couple of other routines. I was keen to watch Shropshire South (the club features in Horse magazines Project X for which yours truly had been asked for some Tips from the Top!) they did a competent, accurate routine called Last Night of the Proms. Then it was back to the stables to start getting horses prepared.

A really good atmosphere exudes in the stable area during the whole competition and we were stabled just next door to the Faversham team giving us the chance to catch up with friends. Their vivid costumes certainly caught the eye as they left to do their Olympic Flame routine. It became clear on their return, however, that things had not gone entirely to plan – a great shame after such a lot of hard work and disappointing for all involved – no doubt they’ll be back even stronger next year.

By the time it was our turn the atmosphere had really built up in the arena. We knew we had a routine worthy of going through to Olympia but we all knew how easy it would be to throw it all away. The music and costumes were great – now we had to produce an accurate routine and add in the theatre to provide the entertainment.

We are blessed with 4 of the most saintly horses around - well, we all know that Eric’s halo can slip a little if he deems the occasion beneath him; and Kuba has the happy knack of rearranging costumes with only moments to go before entering the arena – as soon as they set hoof in that arena they seem to know they are there to do a job, and what a fantastic job they did!! Everyone seemed to have squeezed into the gallery as the commentator announced “Moat View Riding Club – last year’s champions” all wanting to know whether we could match the Furious Angels. Well we rode our hearts out, wielding our spears as much as we dared. Donald Kear, the judge at ‘C’ seemed to be smiling everytime I looked his way but as we left the arena to rapturous applause I wasn’t sure we had got the routine as tight as we could. Buddy’s face was a picture though – beaming from ear to ear – a mixture of delight at riding in that arena again and knowing, from her position towards the back, that our dressing had been pretty much spot on.

We just about had time to take the horses back to the stables to be undressed before we would be needed back in the arena, unmounted, to hear the results. Our crew set to work feverishly for the umpteenth time that day carefully removing costumes and tack before making the horses comfortable.

We all hurried back to the indoor school just in time to be ushered into the arena for the announcements. It’s not quite as nerve-wracking as Strictly… but a horrible wait nonetheless. The commentator read out the first 3 teams selected in what seemed like quick succession  - St. Edmund’s Mystick Krewe, Saffron Walden’s Double Trouble and Wey Valley’s Fairground Frolics – by this stage Frances was muttering her mantra of “it’s not going to be us, it’s not going to be us . . .” while I was countering with “yes we are, yes we are” and then we heard no more than “They knew they’d done it, reigning ch . . .” before we set of on our own little war dance amid squeals and tears of delight.

Yes, we are going to Olympia to defend our title!!!

Now the hard work really starts. Apart from practising the routine, cleaning all the costumes and adding the Olympia polish and sparkle to everything – we also need to raise some much needed funds thanks not least to the charge for non-LEZ compliant vehicles going into London. There is to be a Nosh and Knowledge evening at Blean Primary School on Friday 21st November – info from Sarah or Jo; and for just £1 you can buy a quiz on a War theme – again details from Sarah.

Having won last year, the Club has gained a great deal of publicity and now has a very high profile not only in Quadrille and DTM circles. We need to keep Moat View Riding Club at the forefront  - we need your support! And if you can be at Olympia cheering us on we would love to hear you!

Finally, a huge thanks to our long-suffering team who put up with so much and for whom nothing is too much trouble:

Sarah, Jo, Michelle, Juliet and Annie, Clare, Askley, Nat and Sam. Behind the scenes Rita and Alec.

Team: Nicky Murrell & Limerick, Amy Williams & Horton’s Pink Panther, Buddy Williams & Old Park Rose and Frances Wilson & The Marked Man.