The Wooden Spoon Unsaddling Enclosure & Willie Carson

I've been hanging on a little to try and get some good photographs of our Royal visit yesterday, but they are proving a little slow in coming so I thought I would write a bit about it and then post some pictures later on. (I have to say that I am hugely impressed that Kim Bailey, our Patron, has already some pictures of The Princess Royal and Transpique on his website: www.kimbaileyracing.com). Anyway, after weeks of preparation, finally the day of reckoning arrived....The Royal Visit to Greatwood. Practically all of us had difficulty sleeping the night before, and if we did sleep we all had nightmares about what could go wrong. We took one nightmare scenario out of the equation by removing Whiskey, Georgina and Marshall out of the stables adjacent to the marquee just in case the close proximity of the microphone sent them barmy (it would have been difficult to get them out because there was a huge tea urn in the way). We had pretty much thought of everything, even putting signs on the tiniest little steps to prevent headlong falls.
Covered Occasions of Marlborough had expertly erected the most splendig marquee actually on the yard.
Dr Willie Carson OBE kicked off the day by kindly agreeing to present certificates to those children that had successfully completed the Open College Network accredited Greatwood Horse Power Course. He was very encouraging to the children and told them that everyone has a particular gift, and that they should make sure to find theirs....his gift was being small. He rode 4,000 winners worldwide and was champion jockey five times.

All was spick and span, there was a bit of a red alert when it looked as if HRH was running early but it all went to plan. The Princess Royal was cheered by the children that took part in Greatwood Horse Power and they waved flags. Laura, was presented to the Princess Royal and she talked to her about her work with the children. The Princess Royal had a chance to see some of the work by the children as she passed through the classroom to see the Wooden Spoon Unsaddling Enclosure. The Princess Royal is Patron of The Wooden Spoon.
We are thrilled with this additional facility at Greatwood which was funded entirely by The Wooden Spoon, it comprises of a further loo, and washhand basins, a quiet room, and a kitchen....luxury indeed.
Her Royal Highness returned to the marquee to unveil the plaque, and before her departure she was amused because we had arranged for Transpique to take a bow.
We were complimented by the Royal Party because it had all gone like clockwork...all the rehearsals and hard work was worth it!