The Ben Oakley Gallery
Greenwich has some lovely little shops to explore on the way to and from the Olympic stadium and although some shop owners here are jumping up and down about lack of customers we are doing our best to assist with our retail therapy (including buying lots of umbrellas)
Walking past a small shop we spied some horse prints and wandering in we discovered a small art gallery featuring an equestrian theme.
The Ben Oakley Gallery in Turpin Street, Greenwich is holding a rather pompously named exhibition entitled the Equum Art Olympiade until 12th August. Although I’m not crazy about the title (not even sure what Equum means) the artworks are great. It features four internationally renowned artist /sculptors from Ireland, Scotland, London and the Southwest; Liz Armstrong working in oil pigment/mixed media, Sally Martin, figurative painter working in oil, Alasdair Banks known for his large unique colourful contemporary oils and ink studies and Jo Seccombe with her beautiful equine sculptures.
On the back wall is a print of British superstar horse Valegro signed by his rider, British team rider Charlotte Dujardin and her compatriot Carl Hester. This print will be sold by silent auction in support of the charity “Horses for Homes” along with artwork created for the Eloise & Katie Memorial Trust, signed by William Fox-Pitt & Alice Plunkett.
If you’re in Greenwich it is worth stopping by and there is a Private Viewing on Saturday the 4th August from 6.30-9.30pm. For more information, visit www.benoakleygallery.com
Today I saw the great horse Valegro himself in action in the second day of the Dressage Grand Prix. Having waited most of the day I can honestly say it was well worth it. I won’t go into all the mumbo jumbo of dressage phrases – it was just great to watch. I spent today sitting with our housemate and retired international judge, Jytte Lemkow who pointed out a few interesting things and I’m proud to say I don’t think my opinions differed greatly to hers. The combinations that stood out for me were Kristina Sprehe and Desperados, Juan Manuel Munoz Diaz and Fuego, Edward Gal and Undercover, Helen Langehanenberg and Damon Hill, Adelinde Cornelissen and Parzival and Patrik Kittel with Scandic.
Tomorrow morning sees the start of the showjumping with the first Qualifier for the Individual and the qualifier for Round One of the Team Jumping. We’re hoping that Edwina will be there right through to the medal podium (well, of course we’re hoping Julia, Matt and James are there too) as we don’t have tickets for the showjumping on the 5th but we have tickets for all of the other days. Talking of show jumpers, as I walked into Greenwich yesterday evening I saw Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum with her husband Markus and young daughter – I am a total groupie for some riders and she is one of them. Luckily for her I’d left my phone at home or the poor people would have been harassed for a photo
Richard Davison of Team GB was not quite so lucky and was mobbed for autographs by his fans at the end of today’s session as he headed through the crowd so of course we snapped him.
Sadly there are no Aussies left in dressage so it’s time to focus on cheering on the showjumping team who come from the Land DownUnder
