I forgot to write my blog last month as it was due during the school holiday break, where I worked six days a week and had three university assignments due in. Safe to say, between working 9.30-5 most days, riding two or three horses and squishing in university assignments, it slipped my mind.
When I last checked in things were flying high and swinging along in the horse department, how that changed quickly! On the way to Ballarat Hickstead my 1* mount, Drum (Touch of Honour), broke his nose in the float; not ideal… after the run of getting the on-call vet to him, tending to him etc. I soon realised I’d forgot to check up on how my four year old was handling her first outing, whoops!
All in all, Drum was fine for the day and in his yard, and so was Chance as she took it all in her stride. Later that day I rode her in two Preliminary tests. We didn’t place, in fact I’m pretty sure we came last in both classes, but she was amazing. If you’ve ever been to Ballarat you would know about the small ponies, the jumping and cross-country rings being next to the dressage rings and the utter windiness that is Ballarat. Despite never having seen bunting, small white ponies or horses jumping before she took it all in and was a star; a wobbly and slightly distracted star, but a star in the least.
It’s always nice to have such loving horses. Chance having a peak at her plaiting box at Ballarat
The following day I rang up my trusty vet and friend Johnnie Walker to come to x-ray Drum’s nose, just to be sure. I was told originally he only needed three weeks off work, or work without a bridle from the on-call vet but I never go without Johnnie’s opinion when it comes to my precious ponies. With that, came a rather large crack up Drum’s nose and six weeks off work.
Drum feeling a little worse for wear
SIX WEEKS! I thought to myself, there goes the Triequithon, Melbourne 3DE; there goes our season!! I was very disappointed, to say the least. However nothing comes before the welfare and happiness of my horses, so Drum is still in the paddock, fluffy, without shoes, waiting for Johnnie to return and re-scan his face, Michael to put his shoes back on and given the ‘A-Okay!’ to start riding again next week.
As I haven’t been able to compete this season (oh-hum), it’s given me time to take on two clients’ horses to work, and start out my three year old Wyuna First Sun, or Jasper as I call him at home. Jasper is by the same stud as Wyuna Take a Chance (the mare), but out of an ex-Grand Prix jumping mare. Never having hopped on an unbroken horse before, the vest, the helmet and the nerves were all in place when the day came. Thankfully, because my wonderful mum had given him such a fantastic start on the ground, he was really easy!
On the subject of the younger horses, I taught Chance to jump! This is her first ‘real’ jump’
During the past few weeks, his work has been sporadic but exciting. We’ve moved past the ‘not wanting to turn’ and the ‘not going to stand still at the mounting block’ phases and now have a very well behaved, incredibly intelligent and sensitive young gelding. I have high, high hopes for this boy, apart from the unique connection we have on the ground he has a very unique feeling to ride. Expecting a wobbly youngster, I have the exact opposite. He’s strong, he’s balanced and his trot feels as if he’s moving across a large foam mattress, so light and comfortable!
Unfortunately, due to working commitments, I wasn’t able to travel up to Sydney this year and watch the beautiful CP Qualified and Shane compete. Luckily for me, and because of An Eventful Life’s amazing broadcasting, I was able to re-live the excitement and glory of my beautiful big grey beastie (my nickname for him, because he’s one big chunky boy) compete like a star with Shane Rose and win the CCI*** over the weekend. Let’s hope a trip to France is on the cards this year in August!! I’ve always wanted to go to France!
Darcy (CP Qualified) and Shane - knowing I was up strapping at Albury, Shane very kindly bought Darcy down (even though they weren’t competing) so I could have a peak and a cuddle with the grey pony
