London Weekend ~ Bon Jovi & Antiquing

For Valentine's Day this year Kevin & I purchased tickets to the Bon Jovi concert at the O2 in London. It was an awesome concert. Bon Jovi played straight through from 8 til after 11. But as it got closer & closer to the end of the concert I was worried that they weren't going to play 'Livin on a Prayer' ~ you can't go to a Bon Jovi concert and not hear that song, so I was getting a little frustrated... then at the end of the encore performance it happened...

****sorry folks**** clip was deleted by program ****

Ain't it just awesome... Sorry for the short clip but Kevin's phone only records for a few seconds but it does give you a quick glimpse. Awesome concert!

On our way down to London we stopped at an Antique Fair. We are constantly on the look out for items that we can integrate into our home back in Illinois (I will post some updated pictures soon of the construction). This was not a typical Antique Fair; it was more of a DIY with Antique items. There were vendors with beams from castles in Germany & all over England, garden items, nuts, bolts, you name it.

On Saturday we looked at everything & bought a few items but knew that the 'real bargaining' wouldn't happen until Sunday afternoon (time for vendors to pack up plus England was playing in the World Cup at the same time). So we went back on Sunday & started bargaining for the door & windows below. The items came out of Bats Hall in Solihall ~ not a very impressive name for a 'castle' but none the less we will take it :-) Kevin won the bidding war, & we are now the proud owners of a beautiful stain glass door and 16 stain glass windows.

Duffy's "new" front door

you gotta love the lion knocker

Inside view of door
sample of the stain glass that matches the door

I still can't believe we got it all, but I can't wait to see it installed in our home back in America. We have been able to find some amazing items to help keep the memories alive of our time here in the UK.

One Day Event

Last year this time the girls had only been riding for a few weeks and the One Day Event was their second competition. A year later, a few more competitions under their belt, and the girls were more than ready.

Sophie & Bomber

Brittney & Jacko

Dressage was the first part of the competition. It is held in an enclosed arena. The girls and their ponies work together riding a sequence of school movements while in walk, trot, or canter.

Sophie & Bomber were first up. Now Sophie was able to manage almost this entire test without my help. I only walked beside Bomber just in case he didn't want to listen to the boss...

Mom is getting very tired trying to keep up with Sophie & Bomber

Next up is Brittney & Jacko. Now this year Brittney went up a test ~ she had to complete some of the moves while the horse was in canter and she did the entire test without a leader. According to the judges, Brittney made the test look easy on Jacko...

To start the test, the rider must give a salute while keeping their horse still

Brittney & Jacko completing a 20metre circle in canter

Sitting tall & proud as she comes to the end of her test. Brittney & Jacko did brilliant!

Next for the day was the Show Jumping portion. There is a course of 10 jumps varying in height and difficulty. The ultimate object is to have a good time but to clear all jumps with no refusals and no dropped poles. Both of the girls did really well on this part as well

Sophie & Bomber have become quite the Show Jumping duo...

Brittney & Jacko getting ready to start the Show Jumping portion of the day...

what started out so well...

ended up very frustrating for Brittney

However, I think it takes a really big person to know their limits & ask for help.

Jacko just didn't want to listen to Brittney so Chris had to help her out some...

The last portion of the day was the Cross Country Jumping. The riders lead the horses around a large course of 'natural' looking jumps. The idea is to simulate what a rider might experience while out on a hack (downed tree, stream, etc). Also, this is the time that the horse & rider can go all out with their speed ~ walk, trot, canter, and gallop are all allowed.

Sophie & Bomber had lots of fun on the Cross Country Course. First time around dad went with them, but on the second lap Chris bailed daddy out & took Sophie around.

Bomber & Dad jumping the first one...

look at the determination on Sophie's face

look at the height & beautiful form by Bomber

By the end, Sophie & Bomber were very proud of their efforts.

Now as you will remember from the Show Jumping portion, Jacko & Brittney were having some communication problems by this time.

Brittney more than had her work cut out for her when it came to Cross Country. Jacko was more than done & ready to go back to the stables for a rest. It took 2 other helpers to help influence Jacko to finish the course ~thanks Jodi & Chris!

Dad & I are SO proud of Brittney & Sophie. They have progressed immensely in their riding abilities, and their performance at the One Day Event showed it to everyone else. It was a fabulous day and we look forward to many more like it :-)