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| Return to Events Index | *28th August | 29th August | 30th August | 31st August | 2nd September | 3rd September | 5th Sep | Bronze for Aus! | |
| The Paralympics in the eyes of Ebony Tucker - 29th Aug 2008 | |
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We set out on the transport truck from Tonimbuk at around 11 am and arrived at the airport in plenty of time for our flight. The horses loaded and flew very well… Traveling with the horses was a real eye opener… we all had a go in the cockpit and we were fortunate enough to see another plane wiz over us at a combined speed of 2000 MILES per hour!!! Very impressive!!! The horses ate and drank on the flight which was fantastic… I however suffered from a little bit of cabin fever and was rather restless especially after my laptop battery went flat in the first 5 minutes and I thought I had forgotten my book which I later discovered after about 4 hours into the flight that it was actually in my bag!!! We arrived in Hong Kong at 12.30 ish Australian Time to be greeted with cameras photographers and were swiftly unloaded from the plane to the air-conditioned trucks where we were police escorted to the stables at Sha Tin!!! Terena made it into the local news paper and we think maybe the TV as well! We were met at the stables by Mary Longdon and Emma Bennett who had arrived the day prior to organize everything for us… the horses all settled in well and we were in bed I think around 5.30 Australian time!!! All in all a successful and VERY LONG day!!! Day 2 After a small sleep in we were up and about to check on the horses to find that our diligent vet hadn't really slept all night and was very closely monitoring the horse's progress. All in all he was very happy with how they had settled. Honestly… even though it was only yesterday I can't remembered much of the day… very tired and lots to take in… horses were walked and fed and weighed etc etc but other than that I really don't remember much!!! – maybe except it is REALLY HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!! Day 3 Order is beginning to be restored as we settle into a daily routine. The horses are increasing their daily exercise and all happy… we visited the shopping centre which is adjoining the athletes village and spent a few hours wandering around and am sure will be back to shop for a bargain Our 5th member also arrived with her horse Victory Salute. (Sam) has settled in well and we were all happy to see her! We now have a team mascot thanks to Chris our vet… his name is Sir Reginald. Reginald is a blow up kangaroo and after only one day Reggie is already famous and the locals love him!!! We also heard from a good source that there is a bounty on his head so we have worked out a roster to keep him safe! The venue is amazing there are about 5 helpers to every person and most speak English which is very helpful. The riders and the rest of the management team arrive tonight and I think I should go to sleep it is 11.20pm and I am tired and I think maybe getting a cold so I better get some rest! Click here to read the original report | |
| The Gallery |
Chris, Liz, Terena, Chris, Ebony inside the plane before take off.
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Horses grazing on the race course.
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| Return to Events Index | *28th August | 29th August | 30th August | 31st August | 2nd September | 3rd September | 5th Sep | Bronze for Aus! | |
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