Today was the final day of competition, and also the day the “elite” group of Japanese riders would come. The competition was about to get really tough, and that every ones ranking was going to be pushed down. Although I knew that the competition was for us to have fun it was still hard to get rid of the competitive spirit.

I saw my name on the board and beside it Tyson. I was got really nervous as he threw of a rider yesterday, and the Japanese girl just before me. So far “none had survived” and after barely controlling him on Friday, i never thought I was going to make it. As I got on I started shivering in both, excitement and fear, but after a while I thing both of use shivered in “harmony” hence I could no longer feel the shivering.

While warming up, the instructor gave me more useful tips on how to ride Tyson, and it really helped me gain better control over Tyson, she probably saved my life. As Tyson’s care taker took me towards the “grand arena” he told me about Tyson’s past, and how to handle him even better. He too made a great contribution to my survival.

But on the other hand I was too quick to judge and say that it’s the horse fault, and not the rider’s, after all you are suppose to treat the horse with lots of respect before it can respect you. In the end, Tyson and I did alright, and although we did not win any of the two events we took part in, I had great time on him and helped him regain his good reputation.

After that, we had jumping 60-80cm power and speed, as usual we had Tanja, Stephanie, Joanna and Jolene. Unfortunately Jolene fell of the horse a few centimeters from the finish line, and I accidentally took pictures of her falling, i deleted that horrible image and rush over to see the situation. It was really bad, it turned out that, she fell in front of the horse and it kicked her head by accident. She suffered a slight concussion and was barely consciouses at first. But with great encouragement from all of us, and most importantly her sister, she was up and walking within 30-45 minutes. And just in time to receive all her medals too.

Her sister did really well and won almost every thing she took part in. From what I heard from Joline they normally ride very seldom barely 2 times a month. And yet they are able to trash other contestants who ride 2 times a week, and even left the “elite” Japanese group in her dust. Those girls were truly amazing and hard working.

Well I sure wish I could have told them this blog. O well, that’s what happens when your too shy to grab opportunity when it passes by. 3 hours had past and it was getting late, we had to return to Singapore soon. As I walked out or the room I saw all the tired horses and instructors teaching beginners again and it was as if there was no competition at all.It came and went just like the wind. Even all the contestants were gone and i was the last one left.

As I got into the car I waved goodby to an instructor that was leaving riderslodge to go around Asia, apparently she worked here for only 4 months and just as everyone was bonding with each other, we had to let one of our “brothers go” it really was not easy. I sat in the car looking back at Lilla the instructor that was leaving today and wished her the best of luck. Hoping that she would come back to riderslodge someday (we are all going to miss her).