So I'm into my second month of working at Wilky Park, run by Will Enzinger and Emily Anker and what an experience it has been so far! Such a learning curve! Living away from home and working with some of the best riders and horses in the country would have to be a dream come true!
The best thing ever invented for a tired groom!! It is currently a staple in my diet!!
However when imagining this dream job there were a few things my imagination did overlook... such as cooking my own food... (Mum I have a whole new appreciation for your cooking ability...) and doing my own washing (many early morning trips to the washing machine have been made to retrieve a weeks worth of joddies... It is amazing how quickly they dry when you grit your teeth and wriggle into them anyway) ... and managing my own finances which seem to diminish in a way I never expected after paying entry fees and farrier bills... Ouch!! But these are minor issues compared to the experience I am gaining and the improvements I am making!
Sizzle setting out on XC at Yeringberg ............. and at the finish
One of the biggest things I have learnt working here is the importance of logistics. Everything that keeps an eventing stable running seems to heavily depend on this. Wether it is knowing what gear goes on which horse so we know what order the horses need to come up in (to avoid a quick and frantic gear swap), to how can we possibly get 15 horses to an event, feed them, water them and plait them and still finish at a reasonable time? In my time working at Wilky so far I have had a crash course in logistics and time management as well as learning what it's like living away from home and the process that I have to go through now mum and dad are not around to do things for me. But so far life is pretty good and I feel so privileged to be able to work with and for such amazing people!
Bethany riding Pretzel (above) and Ruby on Gunplay Jack (below) at the Tasmanian Championships - Jess Vander Vlist Photography
However I am not the only Hirst who is eventing at the moment, my two littlest sisters Bethany and Ruby are also doing really well back in Tassie and have just competed in the Tasmanian Eventing Championships that were held over the Easter weekend. From what I hear it was a great event with big entries and great results. A special well done to Bethany (who is 11!!) who rode two horses in the open Intro came 5th which was a fantastic effort! And also well done to Ruby (who is 6!!) who did her first 'big' event and won the open beginners section!! How cool is that! Look out Australia... In another 10 years or so...
I am currently on my way back to Tassie for a few days to catch up with friends and family before heading back to Victoria just in time for Ballarat HT.
So until next time,
Alice
