Sunday 27th July

WHAT A DAY FOR TEAM GB!!!! Third for England in the team competition... First for Mark Bell... It's a wonder we're still standing.

As you will no doubt have gathered, it's party time here at the GB camp. Our young drivers have done England and Wales proud, and none more so than the Bell family! Mark Bell led his class from day one, and has stayed there in great style. Katie Bell moved steadily up her class to go from fifth to third, thus taking a bronze overall. And these were just a few of the triumphs, the results speak for themselves.

The weather finished the competition by giving us a blazing hot day, and the tension was almost unbearable in every class. The agony of staring at those cones, willing the balls not to fall, was almost too much for many of our supporters. Our drivers moved up and down in the placings, and there was a little heartbreak for some at the same time as jubilation for others. The cones course was tough, especially as cantering was not allowed, and the little ponies did well to stay close to the optimum time. Full marks to Michael Hodgson and Brownie, who finished their cones clear with only a half second time fault, to secure the fourth place and a good score for the team.

Katie Bell drove an excellent cones course, getting a fab double clear and coming second in the section. This moved her up into the third spot overall, and again those points all counted towards the team. Well done to James Gambs too, another double clear in cones for England.

Yet the man of the day was of course Mark Bell, who kept his cool as the last competitor in, knowing that he had to go double clear to retain not only his place but also the team place. He never faltered, driving steadily and accurately to an audience so quiet you could hear a pin drop... until he passed the last set of cones that is, and Team GB erupted into screams and cheers!

Supporters, drivers and trainers alike were over the moon. Chef d'Equipe Sara Howe was almost lost for words. "I feel so priviledged to have been given this opportunity'" she said. "Thank you to everyone who helped us to get here. What can I say? These young drivers did their very best, and it's been fantastic!"

The closing ceremony took place during the hottest part of the afternoon, but it was wonderful to see all those England flags adorning our carriages, drivers, grooms and ponies! Each team member was awarded a trophy as well as rosettes and a whole pile of prizes. It's a good job we had the carriages to put them on. The customary lap of honour ended what had been a brilliant week of competition, and our drivers deserved every cheer - and believe me, there were lots.

Then it was time to head back to the stables for the last time, and put those marvellous ponies to bed. It must be said that every pony on Team GB has behaved impeccably, taking international competition in their stride. Each of the England team ponies stood like a rock in the face of the rowdy closing ceremony crowd, never once putting a hoof wrong.

So then of course it was off to party. Belgium, the overall winners, were hosting their victory celebration, and we were all invited to join them. A great end to the day before it was time to pack up camp and begin the long road back to the UK....