Life since my trip has returned to normal far too quickly. Taking kids to school, dealing with domestic life and fitting riding in somehow!
Mack had done a fantastic job of looking after the kids while I was away, and they didn’t seem to have suffered from malnutrition or developed any bad habits (with the exception of now assuming they get an ice cream at the end of the meal). Astro came back from his little holiday where he was well and truly spoilt. Thanks Alysum! He probably would’ve rather stayed out, as he’s now sporting a new hair cut and is getting dragged out of his yard in the dark most mornings for a ride.
Ten days after coming back from our trip, we competed at the Equestriad in Camden. I was not all that happy with my dressage, and neither was the judge (and everyone else), I had one rail in the showjumping but to my amazement I moved up NINE places…. unheard of!
I set out on XC the next day far too complacent. I was riding in the EvA95 and I guess I’ve got acclimatised to 105 as I wasn’t really all that concerned about them so, of course, Astro took full advantage of that and glanced off a narrow log. I said a few choice words that were clearly audible by the sunnies cam, bystanders and jump judges at the next jump over 50 metres away, so I do apologise! I then woke up, rode properly and we cruised around happily.
After Camden, my son Ben turned eight so I made him a cake (I had to make four cakes, which used a kilo of butter. I’m still trying to run it all off). He asked for a Harrier Jump Jet and much to my relief, settled for a space shuttle, and I really did enjoy turning my hand to something a little different. He has been suffering from an apparently almost lethal dose of man flu and it was looking like I would have to call off his birthday party, but I wasn’t going to let all those hours making that cake go to waste, so I strongly encouraged him to toughen up and get better and he had a great time.
Last weekend we enjoyed another great weekend’s eventing up at Berrima. The committee do a fantastic job running three events a year, as well as helping out over at Wallaby Hill Farm with their event. They excelled again, the weather held out and while it was chilly, at least it didn’t rain.
I had entered the 105 class and was again pretty disappointed in my dressage, and again, the judge agreed (I don’t often have the problem of disagreeing with their opinions, unlike many others!), but as always his jumping performances more than made up for it. There were several of the Canberra organising committee competing there and we all headed out and walked the XC together, enjoying someone else’s efforts!
The XC was reasonably large but nothing overly technical so it suited me well. The show jumping course also required a forward style of riding, which suits me also, as I’m not so good at holding – I’m much better at kicking! Just before going into my round, the tickle in my throat combined with that awful dryness that I get when nervous overcame me and I had a bit of a turn, begging the ladies on the gate for a drink – it must’ve looked hilarious – tears pouring down my face while I struggled to breathe! I was next in, and I decided to just suck it up and I jumped clear. It didn’t feel great, but the photos look fabulous, and he didn’t drop a rail so that’s all that matters!
Astro felt fresh before his SJ and when warming up for XC it seemed that his SJ round didn’t take any edge off it, he was going sideways and jogging all over the place. Not exactly a calming situation, but at least I knew he had plenty of petrol in the tank. I had decided to not wear a watch XC. I have been finding it hard to get him back to me before the jump so I can ride forward to a spot, as he tends to get long and strong, then hollows out when I’m trying to haul him back, makes for an ugly jump sometimes! So this time, I decided not to worry about time and just try and go for a steady ride and get him back well before than jumps. On the whole it worked, and while I came in 25 seconds over time, I managed to move up into 8th place and come home with a ribbon.
I’ll update you all on the second week of my trip to England soon.
Take care and keep warm!
Kate
