Four and a half months in. It is an odd feeling actually, because I feel like I have been here forever but simultaneously no time at all. Since my last blog, life has barrelled along at such a rate I hardly know where to start!
The most exciting news to report is that Smashy should be racking up miles quite soon… on a plane! I am so excited I can hardly dare think about it, but he should be leaving home to go into quarantine in the next few weeks. This will mean that he should get here in around May and then hopefully catch the second half of the eventing season. I am so indebted to the wonderful people who have made this a possibility, I am so incredibly thankful for the faith they have shown in this little Tassie Eventer and her big red pony.
My other exciting news is that I have found myself a job that will allow me to make my ambitions possible. I will be working as a groom in a small hunting stable for Patrick Sumner. This job gives me somewhere to live, a place to keep my horse and all in the heart of eventing country on the Wiltshire/Dorset/Somerset borders. Not only that but Paddy and Sue have decided to come on board as owners! They have purchased a stunning 17.2hh British Warmblood called ‘Russel’ who I will event over the summer and Paddy will hunt during the winter. Russel is still green so will do the BE 90/BE100’s this season, but he has so much potential and I cannot wait to see where he goes
Meet Russel! Such a lovely lad!
Finally. and no less excitingly, the lovely Sophie Caruth has very kindly offered to let me do some eventing on the wonderful Basil this season as well! I enjoyed hunting Basil over the winter so much and with oodles of talent, bravery and scope to burn… we will have SO MUCH FUN!
Out with the South Dorset Hunt again on my favourite Basil! Beautiful way of exploring England
With all that happening as well as working full time as a front of house manager at the gallery café and running events for 300 people… my social life has been fairly non-existent. So, when I was invited to come along to the South and West Wilts Hunt Ball, I didn’t take much convincing. Well. Let’s just say the reputation for English Hunt Balls is well deserved… and I took full advantage! I can’t say I remember much but what I do was so much fun and I cannot wait till the next one!! But maybe I won’t smuggle in an entire bottle of Elderflower Gin next time…
So now the count down is on until the first event! I am heading to the snow for two weeks of ski-ing in April after I finish up at my old work at the Gallery, and then I am back and headlong into schooling horses for my UK debut (not before going to watch Badminton first of course!!). I am also scoring the odd days hunting when I can and exploring the various wonderful cross country schooling courses that they have around here!!
So, until next time (hopefully my post ball hangover has worn off by then!), I'll leave you with some more happy snaps!
Alice
Toby and I flying out with the South Dorset! First time I have eaten dirt since arriving as well! (Look closely at the jacket)
Classic cheesy photo of the Aussie on her first English snow day!!
The ears of another lovely horse I rode called Will. We had a cold but glorious day up on the Mere Downs. My soon to be home town!
