What a month for Wilky Park! So Melbourne came and went... no biggie... only the fact that all Will and Em's horses came back to Wilky with a rosette... And TWO Wilky horses WON their classes!!!
Go Pat and Jimmy (Phatra Lerdsilpjareoen and Tanui Lad who won the Junior 1*) and Will and Willy (Will Enzinger and Paihia Wilhelm - above - who won the CCI1*)!!! What a huge achievement!! Well done to all riders, organisers, volunteers and sponsors for all their wonderful work in very successfully creating a very flash and fancy new look Melbourne. I am looking forward to next year’s MIHT when hopefully I will be donning the white jods instead of the jeans like this year
Miss Poppy ready to get on the boat with Tasmanian Horse Transport on her way to Wilky Park (above) and in boot camp preparation (below)
After Melbourne, most of the horses are on holidays so we have a bit of down time which included a bit of a holiday back to Tassie for a week. It was awesome to catch up with friends and family and catch up on some much needed sleep. And while I was there, Miss Poppy (aka Killara Park Valkarie) underwent a bit of boot camp in preparation for her trip to Wilky! She is a bit exciting that one - should be a bit of fun! Then my week’s sabbatical was up and I was straight back into things - I can't wait to get started on the event season again
Here's Poppy at her first jump lesson at Wilky Park
On a more serious note however, International Helmet Awareness Day is coming up on the 12th of July and while I was at Melbourne I visited the (fabulous) Southern Stars Saddlery stand. While browsing some of their awesome Champion Helmets, I began to question how safe my own helmet is after having two quite serious falls in it... after raising this point with mum, there was no question that I am going to need a new one. How long since you bought a new helmet? How many falls have you had in it? Have you checked it (pulled all the inner padding and checked for dents and cracks and given it a bit of a squeeze and pull to make sure there isn't any give)? If not, I strongly suggest giving your helmet a once over before you next get on and making sure you are properly protected!
International Helmets Awareness day is not only a day for raising awareness for the vital importance of wearing a helmet but it is also a great opportunity to update your helmet for a great price as many retailers from all over the country are participating in this great cause and providing discount.! So I urge all of you to check, check and double check your helmets and if you find something just isn't right, use this opportunity on the 12th to get a bargain. If your local retailer isn't participating in IHAD, ask why not and see if you can get them on board with this fantastic cause. However if you can't... I know that Southern Stars Saddlery is participating and I can certainly vouch for the Champion Helmets they stock
If you still are not convinced, have a look at this photo of my little sister Ruby's helmet after her cheeky pony bucked her off... she landed on a pile of hay and still managed to get this huge dent. And this is a top quality helmet!
Now with the new event season starting up I am looking forward to a full on and fun filled year riding my three beautiful horses. That's if they stop injuring themselves... sigh... Sizzle was it really necessary to stick your leg through the fence?? Where are you good luck - I need you!!
Oh well - that's the nature of this sport I guess!
So until next time,
Alice
