The setting was perfect - a Royal Palace on the banks of the Thames, a river that flows with patriotic pride and memories.
The company also perfect - my wife, who I 'courted' on equestrian adventures to the New Forest, and two of my children who love show-jumping and are rather good at it.
The spectacle? Well, it couldn't really be bettered: not only was it the final of the London 2012 Olympic team show-jumping but, on the team, a dear, personal friend - Peter Charles.
Also on the team the legendary Nick Skelton and two bright young stars - Ben Maher and Scott Brash, who are currently number 1 and number 2 in the world and have become friends. The crowd was splendidly multinational, as is the sport; but the 'Brits' had an edge, I felt. Flags fluttered, people wore their 'colours' - the Dutch, in orange, were particularly striking.
Each rider had already 'gone' once and Britain was, nerve-rackingly, tied with those 'orange' Dutchmen.
A 'jump-off' final is life or death in show-jumping and that was what we were about to behold.
Time was crucial but so was keeping all in poles and fences in place. One error is '4 faults' and potential failure.
Nick went clear on 'Big Star'; it is what he does.
So did Ben, on 'Tripple X'.
Scott, uncharacteristically, had a pole down with 'Hello Sanctos'. You could, quite literally, feel the tension.
But the Dutch had problems, too; so it all came down to my dear friend Peter. A bruised and battered veteran who'd represented Ireland in the Olympics twice before, who carried spinal and rib injuries who just had to go 'clear' and in a good time.
He couldn't, could he? He'd had a bad first round.
It couldn't be; could it?
He and 'Vindicat' rode into the ring to thunderous applause only to signal to us all, gently but firm, to hush. As a man and woman, we did. Not just the Brits, by the way - it was international sportsmanship at its best: we all 'shut-up'.
Then, for less than 2 minutes, every breath was held, every knuckle gripped, every buttock clenched!
Peter went clear and in a good time.
The place exploded - for Peter, for the team, for Britain.
Gold.
A lifetime's achievement built upon a lifetime of service.
My happiest and proudest sporting moment and I was honoured to have been there.
As Scott Brash said, at the time:'This is the best day of my life; the best day of all our lives. You can't get a better day in your life with your home crowd behind you'.
I wouldn't disagree with a word .
Memory added on May 17, 2015
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