Following Canada's Equestrian Team

On Tuesday night we held our Canada Welcome Reception. This was organized as a substitute for the welcome reception the COC typically holds to welcome athletes to the games. Since we’re a satellite city in Hong Kong, Mike organized a reception at the Media Hotel for athletes, support staff and any owners who have already arrived.

The reception turned out great. Luckily all of my shopping at the Dollaramas and Giant Tiger while still in Canada paid off big time and I was able to decorate the rooms in red and white. The food was fantastic – everything from chips & salsa to chicken and beef satays with peanut sauce, fried calamari, sandwiches, Thai fish cakes, mushroom vol-au-vents and crispy spring rolls. My personal fave were the popadums & curry sauce. In fact there was so much food that there ended up being a ton left over. When the clean-up crew started to cart away the trays they were immediately stopped by the athletes and grooms who asked for plastic containers so that the cheesecakes and mille-feuilles could be taken back to the barns. It was way too good to waste!

Also attending the reception was Peter Gray who as you recall is in town with the CBC crew to help them catch all of the equestrian action on video.

Although the reception was only a couple of hours, it looked like everyone was having a great time and it was nice to have the whole team together before everyone gets focused on competition time (which is just around the corner starting with the Eventing jog August 8th)

Here are some pics!

(l-r) Jacquie Brooks, Sandra Donnelly, Christiane Ober, Selena O'Hanlon

getting into the Olympic spirit (courtesy of Jacquie Brooks)

dressage chef Ali Buchanan captures the evening in digital

mixing it up

(l-r) Kyle Carter, Jay Hambly and Peter Gray

the dressage athletes are presented with beautiful commemorative Olympic coins from team leader Mike Gallagher

the Eventing team receives their coin sets

Eventing chef Graeme Thom makes a fashion statement in the infamous 'pyjama pants' with Jump's team vet Sylvie

the grooms are presented with an Olympic gift

Ashley Holzer takes a wii break with her kids (I'm pretty sure Harry beat her at tennis despite Emma's best coaching efforts)

Ashley and her daughter Emma

Jacqueline Brooks and Lindsay Kellock

the desserts were delicious! Holly makes sure a package is sent back to the barn

(l-r) Hollly Jones, Jacquie Brooks, Lindsay Kellock and Jen Kellock