Our Trip to Olympia

In December 2006 S.E.V.T. were invited to do displays in Olympia’s Finales. To get there we had to catch a train at 5.30am from Edinburgh to London. We got there on the 11^th of December but the first actual performance was on the 13th. We had to go there a few days before to practise where we stand and what to do. There were lots of things the horses had to get used to, like the spotlights which were always changing suddenly. The aerialists (from the BBC ads) who used their long silks beside the horses were a bit of a worry for us but, the horses didn’t seem to even notice them! When we were finished our bit, there was not a lot of time to get the horses to the other end of the arena because a small fire engine would come in with clowns in it and its bells ringing.

People would come and go a lot because of work so there was not a lot of props. Stephanie, Louise and Niffy had all gone from Eagles. S.E.V.T. brought four horses Henry, Baroque, Guinness and Softie who were all very good and well behaved. Olympia had asked us to have a Christmas theme and they thought it was a good idea for us to be Santa’s elves. Olympia gave us red and green cat suits to make us look like elves. We had to put elf make-up on with red cheeks and lips.

We did 11 performances one at about 4pm and one at 10.30pm. There were lots of things we had to learn and do. Once we had done our performance we had to sing The First Noel, dance and then do like cartwheels and handstands out of the arena.

When we had spare time, we could watch what was going on in the arena. The police horse display was my favourite. Also there was a display by the Hanoverian State Stud which was OK. The Shetland ponies also did some racing over little jumps which was really funny. We watched the big wall being jumped as well, which got to 7’4’’. During the day when we were in the practice arena, we saw all the Whitakers and Robert Smith and Zara Philips whose horse tried to kick Baroque!

We all had a really good time and it was a great experience. I hope we are asked back again next year.

Becky Hamlyn