This year has been an absolute roller coaster ride. Success and failure followed one another. We kicked off the year with some great results in my first 1 *events on both of my horses; Kirby Park Irish Empress and Heart of Hearts. In preparation for the CIC 1* Sydney International (one of my goals for 2014) we made sure the horses were fit, lots of hill work and galloping at least 2-3 times a week. The trip to Sydney was so worth it, when I finished 8th overall and as Champion Junior.
We then planned out the events I wanted to do and Interschool Nationals was on my list. I arrived very excited for the Nationals after winning the Pre-Novice State Championship and 1* Reserve Champion. Unfortunately I reserved my worst performance of the year for the Interschool Nationals at Werribee where, after leading in both classes, I made silly mistakes on both horses, which reminded me that at 14 I was still a long way off being in control of the many things I needed to be. It was a humbling experience but a tough lesson learnt.
I finished off the season placing 2nd in the 1* classes at both Toowoomba and Tamborine on Kirby Park Irish Empress. Then we travelled south down to Armidale for the CNC* to try and escape the soaring temperatures in Queensland only to be welcomed by NSW¹s very own heat wave! Acey (Heart of Hearts) excelled over a very challenging 1* and I was thrilled to finish 3rd and 1st Junior. During the Armidale event, we were advised by the Assistant TD that one of my horses had scored more than 12% less from one judge during the dressage than from the other. The rule being that if they differ by more than 7% you can ask for a review. I was advised that I had to challenge the score if I wanted to change it. My score sheet was with the TD, so I did not see. If I had challenged it, it would have made him second instead of third. You may say, no big deal and so did I at first, but after being at home and getting calls from friends who saw the results, I realised that my assumption and not getting the result sheets from the TD for myself, cost Heart of Hearts a super score, which would have qualified him for the State Team Squad along with Kirby Park Irish Empress. The lesson learned was that knowing your rules and acting on them fairly can sometimes be just as important as the actual riding.
I am so motivated now, especially after being honoured with a second consecutive year State Squad membership presented by legendary Barry Roycroft, to do well for all of my horses and look after them with Promectin Plus Mini. Being included in a team of so many incredible riders makes me want to be part of that for as many years as I can. Mr. Roycroft said to work hard and believe in the rewards of hard work and anything is possible. Bring on 2015 for all of us and I wish all of my fellow eventers the best of luck next year.
