Ascot's underway...the Equestrian season is now in full swing. So it's been a busy few months for me, with plenty of opportunity to talk to riders face-to-face at events like the Badminton Horse Trials; and events like a Community Consultation at the Pavilion Tea Rooms in Greenwich Park. This was so we could speak to local residents.
Each event gives me a unique opportunity to talk to people get their feedback.
At Badminton I was able to speak to elite riders, including future Olympians, and the public.
Nearly all expressed enthusiasm and support for our plans for 2012 and what we're doing between now and then in way of preparation.
As an Olympic sport, Equestrian's position has been weakened in recent Games because events have been held away from the main Olympic spotlight. In Beijing, for example, they were held in Hong Kong.
The Equestrian community wanted London's events to be held at the heart of the Games which is why we've placed them centre-stage in Greenwich Park.
Not only will this strengthen the long-term future of the sport but it will also encourage new participation at grass-roots level. Riding is in decline in the capital but hosting the Olympic and Paralympic events in London will, we hope, reignite interest.
But it's not just the riders who will benefit. Greenwich Park's proximity to other Olympic sites within the River Zone (ExCeL, North Greenwich Arena 1 and 2 and the Royal Artillery Barracks) means spectators can spend two or three hours watching an Equestrian event and then move on to watch something else.
I'm always interested to hear the views of local people as I know how vitally important Greenwich Park is to them. I think it's easy for people to read a negative headline and assume it's true when it’s not. My experience of the last consultation event was that visitors left far better informed than when they arrived.
Those I spoke to were delighted to hear that no trees are being cut down and the Park is not going to be closed for a year beforehand. And they realised having asked us not to take the cross-country course through the lake in the Flower Garden we responded positively to their request and changed the route.
So while it has been a busy time for me, and the team, but it's also been very productive.
No doubt we'll get more questions again this weekend at the next Greenwich Great Get Together, from local people wanting to know what's going to be happening in their area. Pop along if you're near - it's taking place at the Royal Artillery Barracks, we'd be happy to chat.
