Kaitlyn Hamilton's Diary in Germany

Saturday, December 16 - My Freestyle Day

Freestyle B, for riders who placed 9th-13th. Since I was 9th, I was looking forward to our last ride, and hoping we could maintain our position. Everything was going perfect. Then suddenly when I entered the arena, Noah looked up and saw himself on the big screen. My music started, but he wouldn't budge! He was so frightened. I somehow got him to go, and I caught up with my music, but he was too tense and freaked out to pay attention to me, and there were many mistakes in my ride. We ended up 5th (so 13th overall) with a 61%. But ya know, I had a blast anyway. My music is so fun, and I know that this kind of thing happens all the time--even to the professional riders. Noah just needs to get used to the pressure of being a celebrity on the big screen ;-). Besides, after that, I had the rest of the time to enjoy watching the other rides.

Ann Kathrin gave us all framed pictures of us with our horses taken by the professional photographer. And she gave me a big hug and told me that she was proud of the way I kept it together when disaster struck during my freestyle. It was very sweet of her!

That night, my family and I went back to the Christmas market for more shopping and dinner. I was dreading Sunday, because I knew it was going to be the last day of the experience in Germany.