A rollercoaster of emotions

The Olympic Games are now underway with some Team GB medals already on the board. The dressage riders have all qualified for the Grand Prix Special team final and excitement is building by the day.

BGA member Lucy Scudamore is #supergoom to Team GB dressage rider Carl Hester. We spoke to Lucy as she shares the experiences of her first Olympics and why she got goosebumps.

Monday 26th July

Hello from a very hot Tokyo!

We are almost two weeks into our trip; everyone has found a routine and the horses are settled and getting used to their new climate... if that's possible in this kind of heat?

I should add that, as I write this, I am sat with my feet in a bucket of cold water, which is the closest thing I could find to an infinity pool.

We have had a great couple of weeks with our horses. One of my favourite parts of being away is that you get to spend so much one-to-one time with them and watch their personalities develop.

The spirits are high in the Team GB camp, we have an incredible support team who go out of their way to make sure everyone is looked after and well-fed. From stocking up the supply of chocolate in our tack room, to wheeling shavings and hay to our stables.

Our accommodation has been purpose built and our rooms have been decorated with GB flags, throws and cushions to make it that bit more homely. I'm sharing a room with Steph, and Alan is sharing with Steven. It's been really nice to spend some time together in the evenings, especially playing ping pong in the common room with our ever enthusiastic and competitive team vet Andre!

The facilities are unlike anything I have seen before. They are so well thought out, modified to suit the climate and all on such a large scale.

Everything has been thought of, from air-conditioned stables to large tent like structures that are supplied with mist fans and gallons of iced water to cool the horses down periodically when they are being worked. It's like a Formula One pit stop!

It's been a rollercoaster of emotions during the run up to the Olympics. There has been apprehension, excitement and nerves, but the relief of getting here with four happy, healthy horses outweighs it all.

Once we were through the trot up everyone was excited for the start of the competition and to watch our riders do their first tests.

It was so emotional watching Carl and Vogue go down the centre line. We have waited so long for this and it was a moment I will never forget.

Charlotte and Lottie both rode incredible tests, enough to give you goosebumps. We are so lucky to have such a great team, there was a huge group of us there watching together, cheering, and supporting each other from the side lines.

The eventers have arrived now, so the crowd is growing by the day which is great, and all adds to the excitement and team feel.

Please keep everything crossed for us over the next few days.

Thanks for reading,

Lucy

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