As the delegation of officials, judges and drivers from AIAT GB made their way to the airport in April to go and support Paul and Glenda Van Sickle and help make America’s first proper two-day AIAT event the best it could possibly be, I started thinking how it all started.

I organise CIAT New Forest, along with Modris Kesans, and at our first event two years ago I received a phone call a week or so before the event asking if someone from America could come and shadow our Technical Delegate, Paul Mills. At this point my stress levels were through the roof, and I really didn’t need any added pressure. But we try to be an inclusive organisation and welcome anybody, so I arranged accommodation for our American friend and made arrangements for him to be collected from the local train station, all the time thinking this was going to be an added nightmare…

But, from the minute Paul Van Sickle stepped onto the New Forest Showground, he was an absolute delight. He was the most helpful, easy-going guy who fitted in so well with our community. Nothing was too much trouble, and he always seemed to be in the right place at the right time. In fact, on Monday when the event was over, we were all sad to see him go home. We kept in touch over the following months and then he asked if I could find him a turnout to drive at CIAT New Forest the following year, which Russell Hand very kindly offered to provide.  June 2025 came and true to his word, Paul travelled from America and supported our event, with the added bonus that he took reserve champion. Paul had become part of our AIAT GB family.

The date was set for CIAT Tickety Boo in Florida for the following April (2026) and I felt greatly honoured when Paul offered me his turnout to drive in the competition. It seemed like from the Monday before the event, Tickety Boo Farm was inundated with us British! Paul Mills travelled over to TD (ably assisted by wife Gill), Andrew Tilley to score, Richard Lanni to judge, Modris Kesans came to help me, and Abi Hutchinson with her partner Jamie came to drive another pair of Paul’s horses. We were all made to feel so welcome.

The location was perfect, with miles and miles of off-road tracks to drive through, a lovely covered arena for our ‘jousting’ game on the Friday afternoon, an outside arena for the Presentation and Cones, and plenty of space for parking and stables.

Paul and Glenda Van Sickle, and their team of helpers, really did pull it off. On Friday lunchtime, Modris and I carried out our ‘What to do when things go wrong’ talk which was well received. This was followed by the jousting game, where we were split into two teams and were driven around a course (by two of our judges, Richard Lanni and Tom Burgess) and had to spear rings that got smaller the further we went along. It was a great team building exercise. Friday evening’s entertainment was a Luau night, with Hawaiian dancers, fire being thrown, karaoke, food, drink and the best of company.

Saturday morning and the weather was glorious. The Judges took their places at Presentation points 1, 2 and 3. Then we had a spot of lunch before the Routier commenced at 1.30pm.

Paul had organised a Roaring 20’s Speakeasy evening on Saturday night and every little detail was perfect. From the decorations to the photo opportunities, to the Blackjack and Roulette tables (these were fantastic and had been made from scratch by one of their friends), to the band, the food – all you could hear was laughter amongst friends.

On Sunday it was time for the cones – our TD had produced a flowing course but with a few tricky turns. Again, the weather was glorious. There were some wonderful turnouts entered, including miniatures, draft horses, pairs, singles.

By 2.00pm everyone breathed a sigh of relief as we drove in for the prize giving. Everybody had smiles on their faces, all the drivers had completed the weekend and were pleased with their horses and ponies. Rosettes, trophies, sashes and goody bags were handed out to the competitors.  A massive congratulations to Abi Hutchinson who was a well-deserved champion.

I glanced at Paul and a look of huge relief had come over him.  He had hosted America’s first proper CIAT event and with his team, they had pulled it off. Not only pulled it off, but it had been a massive success – and all down to their hard work and months of organising. Unless you do one of these yourself, no one realises the amount of time and effort that goes into it.

On Sunday evening we celebrated together before going on our separate ways on Monday. This is what AIAT is all about, bringing our traditional carriages back out into the limelight, working with beautiful animals who try so hard for us, and being with friends. The camaraderie in America was like nothing else I’ve ever encountered.

Paul – I don’t know how you are going to top 2026’s event – but we will definitely be there to support you again in 2027. My thanks to the helpers, organisers, etc. who gave up their time for CIAT Tickety Boo 2026.