Well it’s New Years Eve and I sit here with a cold drink in hand pondering the year that was…. I have no doubt I win the award for having done the least amount of blogging …. Sorry!!!
New Year Resolution… Be a better blogger.
How quickly this year seems to have passed us by. Sadly we retired ‘Flaunt It’ this year. He just won’t stand up to galloping and jumping any more but he is having a lovely time with one of Caroline’s students being a dressage pony.
In June this year Wade Equine Highly Recommended came away from Melbourne 3DE with a 6th and a little tendon injury. I was gutted to miss Adelaide but have taken the time to make sure he makes a full recovery ready for a big year in 2014. He is making super progress and I am looking forward to getting him back out and about in the lead up to WEG.
John collects a prize at Wallaby Hill for his performance with the young horse 'Cuvee HFT'
We have a couple of exciting ‘projects" that have joined us in 2013. We had been searching long and hard to find a youngster that looked the business and found ‘Cuvee HFT’. She was bred and started by Chris and Helen Chugg and is by Conquistador out of a Grosvenor Mare. She is owned with us by the Haste Family and has already had a couple of wins and placings in the lower grades and had her first pre novice run before Christmas. I’m very excited about this mare and can’t wait to get her out in the new Year. Out second project ‘Kody’ came to us from an old mate, Malcolm Kerridge, whom I had reconnected with after 20 odd years. Kody is by MJK Grand Salute and out of a TB mare. He definitely falls into the ‘project’ category but he shows so much promise that I am happy to give him the time he needs to shine.
Caroline (my fabulous wife) has started her NCAS Level 3 Dressage Specialist. I am sure I am a little prejudiced but I do rate her as one of the best dressage coaches I have worked with and lucky for me I married her.
Caroline is a keen breeder and I have recently started a filly that she bred and I predict Caroline will be making a return to the competition arena early 2014 with this lovely baby.
So to all our friends, family and sponsors out there. Happy New Year and we look forward to seeing you all out and about in 2014.
Cheers,
John & Caroline
