Cole and I at MD Horse Trials Advanced - recognise the guy in the background?
Eventing in America for an Australian is a bit like setting a Queenslander loose in the XXXX factory, things are going to get crazy! Over the northern summer we event in the north, which takes in Maryland (Washington DC), Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York and also into Canada and that’s every weekend … again just the same as a Queenslander's relationship with XXXX!*
The season here is clearly split into Winter/Spring the Summer the Autumn. The Winter/Spring and Autumn seasons end with a couple of three day event options. At the end of the Winter/Spring I always choose to go to Bromont, which is actually out of the country in Canada. I love America but it's always fun to head back into a Commonwealth territory and feel the power of the Union Jack, albeit it without the Southern Cross! Then there is the course, which is amazing and the organisers, who are incredible and the drive to get there encompasses some of the most picturesque countryside in the Americas.
Civil Liberty and I
This year I took one of my youngsters, an American TB by the name of Liberty. His form throughout winter has been exceptional, being one of the top 1* horses in the country. It's a 12 hour drive from where I am so I car (or should that be truck) pooled with fellow Aussie, Ryan Wood who had two horses in the same class. Also competing at the same competition was Aussie/American Boyd Martin. Speaking of Boyd well done on him for having three Olympic short listed horses competing for their place on the US team, that’s seriously impressive. Bloyd is riding incredibly well and looks like he's ready to take on the best in the world. He doesn't have a weak phase and is incredibly focused, like something from a Terminator movie! But rest assured everyone, he still sounds like the same ‘Terry Hills’ boy that cantered around Adelaide on ‘Flying Doctor’.
Back to Bromont itself. It's the third Olympic arena I've competed in and I have to say that they all have an atmosphere that is quite intimidating to a young horse. For me Liberty did an unusually lack luster test that kept us to mid-field. Fortunately he followed this up with a stellar cross country round to finish well up in his first international event. I was quite pleased with him and can't wait until he really learns his job and I can really show him off.
Civil Liberty and I trotting up at Bromont
As I look ahead now I'm heading to the biggest events in northern America with my team, including my advanced horse Cole, which include the All Class Millbrook and the prestigious Richland Park, which is half way across the country in Michigan. I look forward to bringing you reports and the inside stories from those events!
I'll leave you with a quick update on the Aussie's who've made the leap into the Red White and Blue.
Boyd is clearly doing incredible things.
Ryan (Wood) - I've never seen such a formidable team of young horses.
Dom Shcramm – is married to Jimmie and starting to make a real go of it.
Nick Fyffe - the dressage world is now thankful for the arrival of this Aussie who splits his time between Wellington Florida and Toronto in Canada.
Kadi Eykamp – has produced several advanced horses in her short time here and currently residing in Texas.
Jumping photos by Heather Pettit - others by Pro Riders Facebook
* For our non-Aussie readers this is pronounced 'fourex', a brand of Australian beer by Queensland brewers, Castlemaine Perkins!
