Olympics Retrospective: Some impressive yet terrifying jumps

Now that the post-Olympics closing ceremony hangover is beginning to retreat, the gaping hole in my life that the Games filled is suddenly glaringly obvious. What did I do with myself before the Olympics started?! How did I spend my lunchbreaks at work before I had the joys of the BBC's Olympics iPhone app to watch the equestrian events live? What did I do in the evenings before I had an afternoon of grand prix dressage to catch up on?

Perhaps talking about the Olympics isn't the best way to find new things to occupy my time, but it is so much easier to appreciate the things I didn't have the chance to notice the first time around as I was far too busy biting my nails or getting everybody at work hooked on the showjumping (I have turned into a one-woman equestrian spokesperson, in my distinctly un-equestrian workplace). Watching highlights of the Games during the closing ceremony, I was suddenly struck by just how awe-inspiring the showjumps were. I am far more used to leaping over a block, a couple of poles or the odd barrel, so what could be more exciting than jumping a London bus?! So without further ado, here is a small selection of the best fences London 2012, and the course designer Bob Ellis and his team, had to offer...

1. St. Paul's Cathedral

I have often commented that the mare I ride feels as if she could clear a house on a good day, but jumping over a cathedral has to rank as pretty impressive



2. The Postbox



The iconic red postbox, the stamp...quintessentially British. Incidentally, I am almost positive my mare could clear a postbox, if not quite a cathedral



3. Tower Bridge

I absolutely love this fence, I think it may well have been my favourite on the course, if only for brilliant pictures like this

4. The London Bus

This fence looks so flimsy, as if it would topple at the slightest touch. I love the technicality of it, as well as the novelty value of jumping a double decker

5. Houses of Parliament

Actually, I believe this may be more of a Westminster-themed fence, with the London Eye in it, but all the same, how impressive would that be to see out of the corner of your eye?

I might be gutted that the Olympics are over, but the wonderful thing about pictures like this is that they really will last a lifetime.