People at Play

I'm so excited to be able to announce that John O'Connell and Finola Nic An Iomaire have finally announced their engagement!!! This is a sad day for all the ladies of the Emerald Isle as John is now officially "off the market" but I think the biggest tears are from the "lads" as Finola's no longer available either!!. Finola and John are the most stunning couple and what a sight they'll be on the big day!! Finola - I think you should take me along for the shopping of the wedding dress as it's as close as I'm ever going to be to a gown of that kind!! Congratulations from all of us here at jumpingaround.com and we wish you a long and healthy marriage!!

KATIE McVEAN!!!! Say it loud!! Say it proud!! All of New Zealand is!! This girl is just amazing! Not yet 18 and already she has gained Olympic qualification!! Her first attempt at gaining this and she's done it!!!! Not even legal to drive a car but well able to drive some very powerful horses!!!!! 25th of May will see Katie turn 18! Katie - myself and jumpingaround.com are your biggest fans!!!

I am so pleased to be able to tell you all that Helena Walsh WILL be the Chief Steward in the pocket again this year at the Royal Dublin Horse Show!! Helena is recovering so well after a very serious illness and is not going to let "a man" take up her position!! Helena is the first lady to ever be given this very tough but amazing job! Helena has now held this position for ten years and this will make her eleventh!!! Helena.....we'll have to meet for a drink so as you can dish me all the grit from this years pocket!!!

It was a dry night at Badminton. Well for the weather anyway!! What a thrilling end to a thrilling three days!! I was seriously on the edge of my seat through the showjumping just now but it's all over and it's a win to the British!! Hurrah!! W.F-P has just come out and made me hold my breath right until the end of his round!! The ground was sticky but it's much improved on the first two days. Not only did he win, but he's just gained Olympic qualification for Tamarillo. Congratulations - I very much hope to see you as part of the British Olympic team!!

I'm so excited! I'm so so so excited!!!!!! He won he won he won!!!! He won the British Open Championship and 25,000 pounds too!!!!! I'm so pleased to see you back at the top where you belong! To think they said you'd never ride again - you showed them.....in fact you showed them ALL!!!!! I can't wait to see you again at La Baule for the Nations Cup in France at the beginning of next month!! Give Arko III a big kiss for me and maybe even a polo or five!! See you in France!!

So to the sexy American man that won the $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational, what time will your plane be picking me up for dinner then!!?? I'm so glad that Glasgow put in a such an amazing performance for you!! Athens is looking closer and closer eh!!?? Maybe even another medal to put with your 1992 Individual Bronze!!??

To the 35 riders competing in the $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational presented by Publix and The Tampa Tribune. I have a favour to ask of the winner!! Please don't forget little old me!! If you'd like to take me out for dinner I'd be more then happy to jump on a plane and fly to a stunning little restaurant in the South of France!!! Good luck to all competing!

A team of young show jump riders have emailed me and asked me to let “Brian” know that piggie travelled safely to her new home for the year and promises postcards monthly to let you know of her adventures!! If anyone sites piggie on her travels please let me know which chardy tent she’s in as I’ve promised them I’ll have a glass or two with her!!

So how do you make a horse jump asks a seven year old “you ask it nicely and then when the horse jumps you say thank you”!! Best answer I’ve heard!!

I believe that a young dressage rider had a bit of a “tussle” with a heater and maybe broke her ankle! Please get back on both your feet as soon as possible as I believe your pony is missing you terribly – as is the dressage ring!!

American based top Irish rider won the $US100,000 Cosequin U.S open jumper championships at the winter equestrian festival!!! He was the faster of two clear rounds in a three-horse jump-off!! The Irish men know how to go fast in a jump off that’s for sure but they also know how to keep the fence’s up. Rumour has it that this rider is to be apart of the Irish Olympic showjumping team and I have no doubt that these boys will be in hot contention for a medal!!!

“Born in the U.S.A” singer was spotted with his daughter at the Winter Equestrian Festival shopping at The Mixed Bag, a specialty shop specializing in preppie clothes and accessories. If you feel the need to take me shopping you can call me on my Sony Ericsson (wink wink!!)

Now if any of you gorgeous people have any dirt you wish to dish or you want to please me and maybe even my team send product!! We accept champers, peaked caps, Sony Ericcson phones, you name it…..we’ll have it!!!

Go on, entertain me, email me at penelope@jumpingaround.com