Hey everyone,
Excited that the competition season has finally started and sadly, with it school. So to get my eye in, we headed to Warwick for a cross-country clinic with Rebel Morrow and Sam Lyle. I took Ace, my 1* horse and my mum’s young thoroughbred mare, Rosthwaite Venice Beach, who showed much promise last year winning her first couple of Intro classes. The clinic kick started me out of my holiday slumber with Ace depositing me on the other side of a brush fence. My fault. A harsh lesson to start off the year, don’t turn up to cross country in a less than aggressive and prepared mindset, with a horse that’s had a few months off and is just as mentally relaxed as you! I definitely mastered the handstand!
Our first event of the season was Tamborine, where I just rode the young ones; my mare placed 4th in our first event together in the Prelim and Eli had a good experience. Then we travelled down to Sydney, for the Sydney Eventing Midweek and the Sydney Eventing Summer Classic. Ace (Heart of Hearts), was entered in the 1* in which he placed 9th in the Midweek and Rosthwaite Venice beach, in the Prelim, had a super dressage test and clear show jumping but had green moment at the first fence. On the weekend she did her first Pre Novice; clear cross-country and Heart of Hearts went double clear cross-country, I just let him down in the show jumping but overall, I had a fantastic experience!
Before setting off to Warwick I had a showjumping lesson with Paula Hamood where I received a piece of valuable advice; if I know the distance is coming up wrong freezing is not an option, I need to make a difference.
I was armed with a decent dressage score placing 2nd, and after Ace giving me a fantastic ride on cross country, I finished with just one rail in the showjumping and 1st place! I could not believe it and feel truly blessed.
Also, I was equally excited for my 11 year old little sister who had a cracker on Paguy Jo, placing 4th in an open Prelim class!!
Courtesy Ozshots photography
The first two months of the season have been very full on and I have lots to work on and much to look forward to - preparing for Sydney International!
Next up, it's Fig Tree Pocket. Ace has earned a break so it¹s just the young ones! Very excited to wear the pink shirt of Promectin Plus mini!
I hope that everyone else is enjoying this sport as much as I am and wish all of you the best of luck!!
