Ren and Tark
This month has been a little slow with my coach overseas to see the WEG, so I did some trail rides on BSP.
TTT SJ last year was an absolute blast! BSP and I were Reserve Champions in Level 4 and this year, due to the tendon injury and lack of fitness, I wrote off all competitions. So, I decided to go and groom for Renae who brought Tark over from Wagga to compete. I was so excited to see her again!
I arrived at Werribee around 8:30am and we watched some of her friends from other NSW clubs ride before we headed back and started to tack up. Tark was a really good boy and I loved being able to help Renae. Once she was ready, we headed over to the warm up ring, but Ren got distracted chatting, until the strict time keeper (aka ME) told her to get a move on and warm up! Haha! In the first round, Tark was a little slow and had one rail down and Ren has been injured with torn rib muscles so we knew she was in pain. I think it was an incredible feat for her to even be riding!
As there was less than an hour for her next class, I ordered Ren to sit and have a drink and I walked Tark for her and then she mounted and warmed up again. The second round was amazing! I cheered so loud when she went clear. I videoed for her and told her how good it was, much better line and pace! Much to our delight, Ren placed 5th in that class and went home with a ribbon! We squealed like school girls with excitement!
After that we washed Tark down and made him comfortable and had lunch and I caught up with another friend before we headed back to the stables and walked Tark and then I had to head off to Ring 1 to be the gate steward for 3 hours as part of my club duties so I was unable to see Ren’s last round in the indoor. When I texted her to see how it went, she wasn’t too happy. Tark had been eliminated with three refusals! Extremely unusual.
Once I’d finished my duties and the ring was empty, and my heart aching to be there riding BSP, I headed back over to the indoor to watch the Level 1 and Advanced Riders. I won’t voice my thoughts about the course they had to ride, but let’s just say there was a lot of discussion afterwards from riders and spectators. Some riders refused to ride the course and some smart ones retired midway.
I helped Ren feed and tuck Tark in for the night before I headed home.
I’ve also been assisting an EA judge sit her assessments during the year and have been pencilling for her. I actually really enjoy pencilling as I learn so much! So Annelise’s final exam was last weekend and I sat with her for the Elementary test for the Victorian Dressage Championships. I have to say she did brilliantly and I am sure she will pass with flying colours. Being a PCAV judge, she also inspired me to sit my H level exam for EA so I am now working on that.
My coach finally came back from overseas and I had a wonderful lesson with BSP on Saturday. I am so proud of my little man! He tries so hard and I can really feel how much we’re improving. I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face when Kirsten asked for a canter transition and then said that would have been a 7 or an 8! WHAT!? In EA we really only ever score 5’s because he’s so stiff and unbalanced but it was incredible to have a lovely, light transition and feel him so forward. I cannot wait to get him fit and back out competing next year, but I am also really pleased that I have taken this year to really work on strengthening him and getting things right!
I was extremely proud to see several of my previous students at Hurstbridge Dressage Day on the weekend now in higher grades win their classes and the jackpot! What a thrill to see how far these young riders have come!
My next adventure is with Tark again in Wagga Wagga for the WADARC Official Show. I am really looking forward to getting my bling on! (I know though, I will be asking where are the jumps after the first “circle”!!)
Until next time,
Do what you love - love what you do!
Love Jenna and BSP xoxo
A selfie with the giant Tark 
