Wellington Weekly #10

(Chelsea spent her Spring Break with me, so this week is dedicated to our adventures!)

March 4

Another equitation Friday! I love covering the equitation divisions and watching all of the talented young riders. 

March 5

A long, exciting Saturday! Jenna and I covered the junior rider Nations Cup divisions, and watch children, junior, and young riders from around the world compete for their country. The US was well represented, winning the junior and young riders divisions. It was a late night, but a super fun day of coverage!

March 6

Today is the day, Chelsea has arrived!!! We had a full day planned already. After picking her up from the airport, we discovered a new brunch spot and ate our body weight in pancakes, eggs, and bacon. Along with our food babies, we went to the Lake Worth beach! The only problem was that the Lake Worth beach was not quite a beach, what with the high tides and waves and whatnot. We spent the majority of our time running away from the water, got in some nice photo shoots, and walked to an ice cream shop to finish our beach day. We hit the grocery store, made tacos for dinner, and watched a very interesting Lifetime movie to prepare for the fun week ahead of us. 

March 7

I spent my day in the office, and Chelsea unfortunately had to spend her day at my house, but as soon as I got home, we packed our overnight bags and headed to ORLANDO!! We had the best subway sandwiches we had ever eaten, followed by a fun couple of hours hanging out at Downtown Disney. We got chocolate wasted at Ghirardelli and window shopped before calling it a night. My dad graciously got us a hotel room for the night, and we curled up in the fluffy comforters and pillows to get our beauty sleep for UNIVERSAL!

March 8

In an effort to not make this day go on into an essay, I will summarize in short phrases: Islands of Adventure, Dr. Doom's fear fall, Harry Potter World, flight of the Hippogriff, Dueling Dragons, #BeckySentUs, Butter Beer, chicken fingers, Suess Landing, Hogwarts Express, Universal Studios, Diagon Alley, Revenge of the Mummy, giant pink doughnut, find someone who looks like they could take our picture, Hard Rock Cafe, Uber, Instagram science, driving 2.5 hours home

March 9

A day at work and an attempt to recuperate from my Universal Studios hangover, and then after work Chelsea and I had lettuce wraps for dinner, followed by a quick trip to the outlets! I had to restrain myself in an attempt to save money, but Chelsea got some great deals!

March 10 

Boooooo it's Chelsea's last day :( We headed back to Lake Worth beach, except we tried out a different section in the hopes that we would actually have beach this time. We found a great spot, and I proceeded to nap on the beach (and don't listen to Chelsea when she tells you that I snore...) Chelsea and I did some exploring, found lots of jelly fish, shells, and a coconut! We tried to open it but were unsuccessful, called it a day, and found a pizza joint and enjoyed our lunch on the beach. After getting home and discovering I was sunburned, we headed to our final adventure: Food Truck Invasion! We ate delicious shrimp tacos, had great dessert, and then I had to take Chelsea to the airport for her flight home. It was great to have her, but too short of a trip!

Things I've learned this week:

1. You have to pay to go on the pier

2. Make friends with amusement park workers and they'll let you skip lines

3. Instagram is a science and Chelsea and I have mastered it

4. The food trucks change each week and are all so tempting

5. A two-park ticket for Universal & Islands of Adventure is worth it

6. Tuesday in the beginning of March is prime Disney time 

7. If you want to swim in the ocean, don't go to the beach during high tide or high winds 

8. Islands of Adventure is the best spot for roller coasters

9. Roller coasters make you dizzy and nauseous 

Wellington Weekly #9

(I'm bad at taking videos, so here is a brief compilation of Haley's trip to Wellington this week!)
 

February 26

Surprise surprise, a day full of horses! In the morning I covered the equation division, USEF Talent Search day. After working on photos and my article, I headed out to the Fete Cheval event at the VIP tent! Top professional and junior riders volunteered their time to compete in an equitation exhibition accompanied by commentary. It was so interested to see Grand Prix riders and junior riders ban together to compete in an equitation class, and for a good cause, the Equus Foundation. What a fun night!

February 27 & 28

It was an early wake up call to catch a plane ride home. I had to say goodbye to my childhood best friend, my sweet Mags. It was a hard weekend. While it wasn't under the best circumstances, I'm glad I got to home and spend the weekend with my family. On Sunday I got to watch the IEA team compete in Regionals, and spend some snuggle time with my girl Roxy.

February 29

A day in the office! A nice relaxing Monday to recoup from the weekend. 

March 1

Back in the office! Nothing too exciting, just helping everyone catch up on work and get the weekend started right! I got to help out with India night tonight for one of our clients, and it was such a fun event. All of the proceeds went to the Salvation Tree School in India, and the couple that runs the charity are just the sweetest! After India Night I was promptly greeted by HALEY!! A quick windows down, music blasting road trip down the street to Coldstone to catch up and prepare for a fun filled Wednesday.

March 2

Haley and I spent our day at the beach, eat snacks, swimming, and turning into golden goddesses (okay, maybe not golden, but rather a bright shade of red...) We finished up our day at Panera, eating outside to soak up the last few minutes in the sun, and then Haley had to leave me :( We packed her car and I actually considered putting a nail in her tire so she didn't have to leave (except that it was her grandma's car and I would never do that...)

March 3

Back in the office! Nothing too noteworthy from this day either, but even though there's work to be done, I love hanging out with these people! 

Things I've learned this week:

 1. Panera got rid of their buttered noodles and it looks like they aren't bringing them back... Sad.

2. Lake Worth beach is great! Not too crowded, clear water, and lots of sunshine.

3. Saying goodbye to a pup is harder than you expect.

4. I'm never checking a suitcase again... Carry on for the win!

5. Beezie Madden is a god... (okay I already knew that, but it was reaffirmed)

Wellington Weekly #8

(I had a brief video compilation of weeks 6, 7, & 8, but it won't download... I am struggling.)

February 19 

It's Grand Prix day!!! Emily and I covered the Grand Prix today, and it was held at Global because of the hunter week takeover at WEF. I had a nice day relaxing and getting some chores done, followed by a fun evening at the Grand Prix! As always, I am so amazed by the talent that I am surrounded by here in Wellington.

February 20

A quick tan by the pool, catnap, and headed off to the VIP tent at WEF to help with a book signing! The best part? VIP desserts!! And a front row seat the the hunter spectacular! After the book signing I met up with office people at a polo asado. It was all fun and games until my truck got stuck in the mud... Note to self: do not try to turn around in a low, sandy grassy area, because my truck is note four wheel drive, and the sand was actually mud... After a minor panic attack I called Triple AAA and a very unimpressed tow guy came and pulled me out of the even more unimpressive mud puddle. Hooray!

February 21
Rise and shine, horse shows wait for no one! Taylor and I covered the U25 and the Grand Prix, and we got to cover it at Global in the grass derby ring! It was the perfect weather. But of course, in true Ally fashion, the one day I am actually VIP enough to eat Global food, I decide I'm hungry enough after they've cleaned it up... Maybe next time....

February 22

After a day spent in the office, everyone in the office headed out to Mason and Ron's new home for their house warming party! I've decided I'm moving in and there's nothing they can do to stop me. Afterwards, the interns headed to Flannigan's for free nachos the size of two of my heads, chicken fingers, and curly fries, and I've never been happier. If there's one thing us interns do right, it's making good food decisions.

February 23

After rising from bed in a complete greasy food coma, I spent the day in the office, followed by the North American Riders Group Meeting (NARG). They talked all about the successes and failures for horse shows in the past year and what the future looks like. I got to sit 6 feet away from Beezie Madden and Kent Farrington, so that was cool. Oh, and I got a free hat. Hooray for NARG!

February 24 
Possibly one of the funniest nights so far. After an office day, a bunch of us went to AEGT at the White Horse to support Jamie's boyfriend who would be eating fire and walking on glass barefoot... Little did we know we would also be supporting Emily as she was forced to volunteer to piggy-back across the glass!! She was a great sport and the performance was great!!

February 25 
My day off!! Today I met up with Nikki who I got hooked up with thanks to Miranda at OU! I met her horse, Lovey, and her adorable pup, and hung out with the Phelps girls in the media tent for a bit while snacking on Titos chips and salsa. I then went home to get some laundry done (and the dryer decided not to dry my clothes... AWESOME), and I headed out to meet the interns for sushi! I think this was the first time we were ALL in one place hanging out, and it was great (and delicious!)

Things I've learned this week:

1. Triple AAA is a blessing

2. If you are offered VIP food, don't wait. Go. Now. Eat. As much as you possibly can.

3. If dolphin is on the menu, it's not actually dolphin. It's Mahi.....

4. NARG... It's a thing, and it's pretty cool.

5. Split clothes into two dryers, or they will never get dry...