Teaching in the USA

I have just returned from my second visit this year to the States, and it all went well.  I was doing an appearance for Equistro through Gautier Bedouin. It was very interesting being there and seeing an unbelievable number of equestrian products, and it was great to meet lots of interesting people.  I then went up to Aiken to visit Barry Oliff and to have a look at his courses.  This year he ran his first Advanced in October and he is looking next year at producing an Intermediate track, but it needs building from scratch.  Stable View is an incredible centre and I have been there before, but it was very strange this time to see it completely empty - my last visit there was to host a busy clinic, so it looked very different.  I then went to Ocala for a days teaching with the Trayfords.  They have created a perfect facility there with a brand new cross country course.   I was kept quite busy with the teaching and all went well.  I then travelled down to Miami to speak at the US Eventing Association Annual Convention.  I was speaking in front of a big crowd which made me feel quite tense, but all went well.  Everyone was very friendly  and I probably ended up talking far too much.  I had a quiet day on Sunday, and spent most of it shopping for the family before flying home arriving back on Monday.  

I am going to Olympia to see Vallegro off, it will be a very emotional evening.

We are looking forward to the Club Open Day on Tuesday, it will be a good chance to catch up and look at some of the horses for the New Year, in their winter woollies.