The lovely Sprite
It’s been quite some time since I last blogged and for this I sincerely apologise. Things were just snowballing but in a good way! Billy Sparkle Pants (BSP) has come back into very light work but I can’t see us competing this year with every molecule of fitness gone and nowhere to ride under lights or time to work him every day. However, to have him back in work put the biggest smile back on my face.
So what have I actually been doing?
I entered the 2015 Police and Emergency Services Games in April on Sprite (above) who was very kindly lent to me by Jade and Ethan Stuart. I first rode Sprite at TTCT and placed 4th. My Walking Forward Disaster Relief Team sponsored the Jackpot Rugs for three Level 3 sections, which was, for me, pretty awesome and very fitting! Sprite and I had a fun event once I was in the right section (I was so confused about the levels that I’d wrongly entered in the higher grade and packed my daks! HAHA!!). We missed out on a Bronze in the dressage by one point and had a PB in my dressage! I was a winner regardless in my books and was so thrilled!
Sarah Hall over the WFDRT fence Photo by Andrea Barton
My disaster team has been very busy. We celebrated our first birthday in style. We have been doing a bit of sponsorship with a rug for the HDARC Official Show overall High Point Winner and we have also had two show jumps made - one of which can be hired or borrowed for events. We are happy to sponsor classes with rugs so please call me if you’re interested (all funds come out of my own pocket though as we don’t have an ABN so I can only do a few at a time as I can afford them).
What a lovely rug! Sponsored by the Walking Forward Disaster Relief Team
I was recently very proud to be nominated for the inaugural IPAA ‘Faces of our Public Sector’ Awards. I flew home to Perth for a three week holiday, thinking I wouldn’t stand a chance against some of the amazing nominees and I kind of forgot all about it once I was away. It was AMAZING! I did my PADI Rescue Diver course, a lovely dive with friends on the Rockingham Wreck Trail where we saw two planes, a boat and a man made cage along with the most incredible fish! I spent a week alone over on Rottnest Island, snorkelling, swimming, walking, bike riding and drinking beer! What a life! My best friend Frog and I went to Busselton for a few days, which was also lovely.
When I returned home to Melbourne, the following day, I received a phone call and was advised I was the winner of the IPAA’s award! I actually cried. It was such an amazing moment for me to have all my blood, sweat and tears for WFDRT recognised and rewarded and I have been absolutely showered with congratulations from my amazing friends, family, colleagues and partners.
I’ve also just enrolled in a Paramedic course (CRAZY or what!?) and I hope to have BSP fit again and back out competing towards the end of the year. I am missing it SO much! He’s 22 this year, so it’s becoming harder with more injuries cropping up, but I plan to make his life the best and most comfortable he can have.
Until next time,
Always believe in yourself. You. Are. Amazing.
Love Jenna and BSP xxx
