Catching some waves
Goals can be scary things: They challenge you to throw everything you have at them, to make sacrifices and to miss out on a lot of the ‘fun stuff’. But the more you put yourself out on a limb to achieve a goal, the greater the pain if you don’t succeed.
Like all the riders vying for team selection, my focus for the past 4 years was to be on the plane to London (don’t worry, I promise this isn’t going to be an Olympics/selection story). Just about everything I did was driven by the London ambition, and it would be fair to say that family, friends and life in general were put on hold.
After the initial disappointment of missing out, watching and keeping track of the Olympics kept me occupied, as did riding and training my other horses, marketing them for sale, and of course, the pressures of my ‘other’ job as a lawyer. But then I sold a couple of horses, things at the office were temporarily a little quiet, and I suddenly had time to hear myself think. The result was a bit confronting. Issues that had been kept at bay because my focus on London left little room for anything else seemed to be surfacing, and even though I had quickly moved on and made new goals - the world games in Normandy in 2014 and the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 - I felt empty. It was a bit of a case of “now what?”, and I felt pretty down.
I decided I needed a bit of a break. So, despite telling the world (well, the Tamworth region) in an interview for Prime News, something along the lines of: People keep telling me to have a holiday, but it’s the last thing I feel like doing, I ate my words and organised a spur-of-the-moment trip to Byron Bay with Cassia Montgomery, an eventer turned dressage rider and good friend.
We left the Monday after the Camden Equestriad. Harley had done well there, placing a close 2nd in the CNC** (we’ll catch you next time, Shane & Virgil!), so the week began on a positive note. I was initially alarmed to find that the ‘plane’ taking me to Byron was tiny, with propellers instead of engines. I have always maintained that I “don’t do propellers”, but I suddenly didn’t have any choice. It turned out to be a great flight, and I relaxed enough to fall asleep (mouth open, some drooling).
I hadn’t been to Byron in ages, and had forgotten how easy-going and relaxed the locals are. There are enough tattoos there to make HK Ryan’s head spin, but there are good shops, great bars and restaurants, and heaps to do.
Early each morning I ran to the Byron lighthouse, which is a beautiful but intense run. After some 250 steps mixed with a steep incline, the view at the top is unreal – which enabled me to stop for a few minutes and pretend to be admiring the scenery, when in fact I was trying to not die. There were lots of other runners about, and they all nod and wink as they pass, as though we’re all part of some special, secret runners club. Either that or they’re just sleazy.
Will surfing become Emma's new obsession?
I had a surfing lesson and am now completely obsessed, and not just because of the hot instructor. There was a brief moment of panic when I realised there were jellyfish in the water, but was told “Oh, don’t worry about the jellyfish – they’ll only make you itch a little if you pick them up by the tentacles.” As picking those things up by the tentacles was the last thing I was going to do, I relaxed somewhat. In between waves, I chatted to the instructor (James) about this amazing sport called eventing. James was impressed that I could have big stacks (wipeouts?) and get back on and keep going. I was impressed that James would contemplate picking up a jellyfish. In any event, am considering a career as a pro-surfer if the riding thing doesn’t work out.
A new career? ...
Cass and I also went kayaking with a group, and saw whales (albeit some distance away), which was great. They were leaping out of the water, flapping their tales and spurting water high into the air from their blow-holes. Watching them, it’s easy to see how the saying “having a whale of a time” came about. We were all fitted out with wetsuits, life jackets and helmets for the kayaking, and I questioned the need for the helmets until I accidently struck one of the guys in the head with my oar (well, almost accidently – he was pretty annoying).
Lots of shopping, walking and sleeping (my record was 3 sleeps in one day) later, and it was time to pack up and head home. It was a short trip, but a good one, and I’m feeling much better. Now it’s time to head out into the wind and deal with a group of fresh horses who have just had a week off…
Cheers,
Maso
