CVIO Aachen

9th-11th July 2010

Once again we packed the lorry and we left Moulton College at 7pm on the Wednesday evening with Go Fast, me, Alan, Lucy and 7 vaulters in the back of the lorry. The singing had stopped by the time we reached the M25 ( Thank goodness! ). We arrived at Aachen by 7 the following morning, the last of the Brits to get there ! The sun was shining, Go Fast had a quiet time in her stable and the girls made themselves at home, Alan went to sleep.

In the afternoon all the British horses went through the trot up, by now it was very hot. We had a quick training session in the arena, by this time Steffi was with us and had been looking after the girls. After a good nights sleep we woke up to the heat and with our new Team GB catsuits on went through the compulsories, still room for improvement but not too bad a set.

The following day meant the girls could finally wear their new fresstyle catsuits, made by Christine Davoille and designed by Steffi. The girls looked superb, I was so proud of them, they didn't disappoint and managed the freestyle really well, Megan did a sterling job considering she had only been vaulting for the last two weeks after her broken arm. Each of the girls did a great job and really tried to perform to the music, they finished the day in 8th place.

Sunday came along all too quickly, Lydia had pulled a muscle on Friday and wasnt fit enough to do the freestyle so we did the same as Saturday. Sunday was the Nations Cup and we followed Ross on Softie who did a super freestyle and Joey and Henry who really performed. The team did a good job and we finished in 5th place, only a fraction behind the Swiss team !! We were thrilled to finish well in such good company.

At this stage we had nearly all melted, it was the hottest we had ever experienced at Aachen, 37 degrees! We had the support from three mums in Aachen, Gill, Liz and Penny. It was Penny's first trip to an International competition and she was very impressed. Steffi was brilliant and really helped all of us, Silvie as usual was at my side whenever she could be and Jessie was very supportive, they all thought we had improved.

Joey won the Female Individual Class and had her name put on the Aachen wall - again ! and Hannah was 10th, grateful thanks to all of the Eccles family for their support and encouragement, it really helps.

Thanks to Lucy for Cheffing, Alan for grooming and making me tea !! and for the messages of support from the families at home. I was very proud of my girls, well done, we are now looking forward to the next challenge.