The WEG may seem a long time ago now but I've only just arrived back in the country having taken a bit of time to holiday afterwards. I'm not the only one - some other very important passengers have also just recently arrived back in the Southern Hemisphere. On Monday Megan and Jester finally arrived back in Sydney after a very carefully planned flight.
As I'm sure most people know, Jester suffered travel sickness resulting in lung problems on the flight over to the US meaning that he was unable to compete at the WEG. Since then Megan has been by his side most of the time and was determined to travel home with him - which she did - even to the point of sleeping in his pallet on the flight back! In addition to the extra space Megan had booked, the second horse supposed to share the pallet with Jester failed to make the flight which was great news as now there was plenty of space for Jester to enjoy his soaked hay and carrots. Thankfully this time the 5 hour flight to Honolulu followed by 9 hours to Sydney went smoothly. In An Eventful Life Megan recalls her feelings on arriving back in Australia after a difficult time in the UK in 2004 when both Paddy and Jester had been injured - " I was so down but I got off the plane, smelt the air and felt the sun on me and started to feel a bit better". No doubt she felt the same way after getting Jester safely home on Monday!
The prognosis for Jester is good but he will need a good 6 months recuperation period. In the meantime Megan will be at Equitana and Adelaide Three Day Event signing books so make sure you come and see her there! Two other four legged Aussie superstars also arrived in New Zealand on Sunday - Stuart Tinney's Vettori and Sonja Johnson's Ringwould Jaguar arrived safely and are being quarantined there before arriving in Sydney on November 29th. No doubt they will be happy to be back home by then and their owners will be happy to see them home! Jag had a slight flare up in his injured leg shortly prior to leaving the US but thanks to the Tinney's supergroom Amy McGregor who has stayed with the horses and is travelling with them, the problem was very promptly identified and attended to.
For most of us who followed the action at or attended the WEG, the event quickly fades as we get back to normal life and we resume our daily activities. We don't always realise that, while the event is all over and done, the owners and riders of our favourite equine stars still await the return of their horses - hopefully safe and well. As a welcome home to the horses and riders, I thought you may like a fun video about returning home - if you haven't seen it yet, take a look at this great video ( I didn't get this reception when I landed at Heathrow recently!)
