We had some fabulous photos taken in our photo shoot session
Things have been extremely busy for the past month or so. I won a photo shoot so I took BSP with me and got some great photos! Having two scholarships has kept me extremely busy along with another two short courses and a conference in Bendigo.
Learning to drive the truck is pretty exciting
I was one of 15 CFA Volunteers in Victoria to be selected to do a Digital Story at ACMI in the city on why we volunteer. Our mini movies premiere at Fiskville on August 18th so I am very excited about that! I’ve also been learning to drive the fire truck, which I am totally LOVING and I met with the Fire Services Commissioner, Craig Lapsley for study. He’s a real cool cat!
A happy me in between the Fire Services Commissioner and our Regional Director
Billy Sparklepants and I have not had a chance to get much training done and to be honest, with the ground the way it is at the moment, I have been a bit of a chicken when it comes to training. I have had several lessons, both flat and cross country which I have absolutely loved.
A few weeks ago, I had a lesson with my MET team coach, Dave, at Wyena. Of course it had been raining and I was so nervous I almost pulled out from the lesson. However, my inner voice was screaming at me to just do it. I knew if I didn’t, my confidence was never going to fully return so, despite knowing that BSP didn’t have stud holes in his shoes this time, I was going to ride come hell or high water, or whatever that saying is!
I headed to Wyena and it was sunny. BSP was relaxed. He’s such a dude. I tacked up and began warming up in our usual fashion with a nice long rein and I just rode lots of straight lines and took him around the grounds as he was a bit ‘looky’.
Dave finished his previous lesson and Tony arrived on a borrowed team-mate’s horse who was also a bit spooky. Tony had been hit in the face by this horse and decided not to ride it as he wasn’t feeling too safe. I suggested that he should still share my lesson and have a ride on BSP to get more confidence. How ironic is that coming from me, but that’s the type of horse BSP is. I trust him, I just need to believe in myself more!
So Dave warmed us up and BSP did some very nice canter work and then we popped over a few small fences riding in straight lines. From there, Dave challenged me to ride a very narrow fence from a short distance and off we went and with a little hesitation, BSP responded to my leg and popped over it. YAY! I knew that I had to keep BSP straight as he tends to drift to the right on some fences and mentioned this to Dave as we approached and I was able to correct the line. Every time I ride XC now, I hear Megan in my head, “Line and pace. Duck bum!”
When Dave asked me what I wanted to work on I said banks and steps. Water is no issue for BSP, we find that easy, so we headed over to the grade 3 and 2 steps. At first, BSP was hesitating a lot. I knew this was not him being disobedient, but nervous. So I kept my leg on and encouraged him to go down the step. He started and stopped and started and stopped and I gave him a crack with my whip and he said OK and popped down. Dave then asked me to ride up the steps. That was good and we were straight. We did this several times and then Dave turned to me and said, ”OK, Jenna. Do the Grade 2.”
WHAT!? Seriously? Oh s**t! OK! I could feel my heart pounding in my chest and approached the drop. I knew it was important to slide the reins out and sit back so we reached the edge and BSP popped down like a champ and took one stride and popped down again as straight as a ruler! WAHOOO!! Dave then said to come up the step so we rode a little distance away and up the bank. It was messy the first time and I lost my lower leg position. Apologising to Billy, I turned and came down the steps and again and then up once more, focussing on my lower leg and nailed it. Oh my God! The smile I had on my ace must have been priceless. Dave was super excited and so was Tony.
I decided to end my ride there and let Tony hop on. Tony rode the Grade 3 banks too and then headed to the water. BSP didn’t like the water at first so Dave and Tony spent time going back to the basics to gain his confidence again and then he was trotting and cantering through the water. It really made me realise how important it is to train consistently when you can. I am very envious of riders who can ride every day or even twice a week. Not having an arena and lights makes it virtually impossible to ride during the week. Thank goodness BSP is a legend and is an easy horse to learn on. I love him so much.
Jenna just can't seem to resist a cuddle with a fireman
Tony then progressed to ditches and the bank. The ditches were a piece of cake. When they came to the bank, Dave asked Tony to ride the Grade 3 to an arrow head. BSP popped down and then ducked right at the arrowhead. Dave and Tony both said to me they now knew what I meant when I said you had to keep him straight! Tony also found riding in the synthetic saddle quite hard as it puts you in a position that’s not quite right. I guess I am used to it, but it was a nice compliment when Dave told me I do very well in it. I have however, been saving super hard and have purchased a second hand Anky dressage saddle from a friend that was made in France. So I can’t wait to get it! I know it’s going to make a huge difference for us.
Tony finished his lesson on a great note and we headed back to pack up as the light was fading. I was a bit concerned about him riding his horse back as it was still a bit spooky so I suggested that we put him on the float with BSP and I drop them off. BSP went on the float and stood there while we attempted to get the other horse on the float. It wasn’t successful. We almost had him on and I was just about to secure the top gate when he barged back and the gate smashed me in the face. Being short I have to stand on the tail gate to close it and I was very lucky that I got out the way with only a small cut to my chin.
We decided in the end that we’d take BSP out and Tony could float the horse home and then come back. So BSP and I stood together bathed in the silvery moonlight waiting. Sounds romantic doesn’t it? Ha ha! But it actually was a beautiful moment. We finally got home around 8:00 p.m. It makes you realise that for a one hour lesson you need most of the day!
I have also been ticking off my 90 day goals that I set with Nicole Stewart and have, as planned, entered Friends of Werribee. YES! My first Intro event! And we are going to absolutely nail that sucker too! I am not going to worry about the time, I just want to go clear. I’ve also recruited some amazing friends for a TEAM BSP cheer squad and grooming/support crew. I’m very excited (and nervous) because I feel like Werribee is where you ride when you’ve made it. So we’re going as a team and we’re going to plan everything very carefully to make it all come together. I have also joined a new riding club, which is in Wagga and District Adult Riding Club in NSW and I am very happy as my team mates are very welcoming and enthusiastic. We are teaming up for TTT SJ in Shepparton and I can’t wait. I have been friends with them on Facebook and I can’t wait to meet them.
It would appear that BSP has a liking for cake - is that birthday cake?
BSP has turned 20 this year. So happy birthday to our beautiful boy!!
Until next time,
Keep smiling and happy riding!
Jenna and Billy Sparklepants.
