Riding wise, it’s been a little quite after competing at SIEC. The event itself went well, as long as you don’t take the dressage phase into consideration – which let’s face it – most of us would rather that was the case 99% of the time! I did what I considered to be a pretty appalling test – and the judge agreed. On the amusing side of it, Astro has proved that he is really quite bombproof when it comes to my children. Abby came with John and me and while John was videoing my test, Abby made it her mission to jump up and pop up into view, many many times. It makes an incredibly cringe worthy test almost bearable. I’ve never been so mortified by the experience of being slayed by a judge – and you’d think I’d be used to it by now, however it was a relief to hear from my fellow rider (Hi Yeanan!) that this particular judge was well known for it!
Watch out for Abby's head below
Our show jumping course had a few tough lines and not many went clear, those that did shot up the placings (we had two rails). The cross country rode well and we started out on course at quite a rate (we were 15 seconds ahead at the first minute marker) but given how twisty the course was, this was a good thing and we finished on time. On our way back from the event, we dropped Astro off at a friends place for a change of scenery. I’d left his shoes on in case he was ridden and one week later, he ripped his shoe off and stood on the toe clip. Never have I seen him looking so sad and sorry for himself; he could barely walk. We bought him back to the agistment centre so we could nurse him back to health and even a couple of weeks later he was still limping around (when he wasn’t cantering around his tiny yard and bowling me over for his breakfast!).
Here we are below over the double of brushes at SIEC ... focus ... focus
I am well aware that when I arrived in Australia from NZ and answered a wanted ad for someone to exercise horses, I won the jackpot. John (the person behind that advert) is the most amazingly generous horse owner ANYONE could ask for. Not only has he supported my crazy addiction to the sport by providing me with a horse to compete on, he took me to Badminton and Adelaide last year. And this year, we are heading over to WEG and Burghley! I really can’t believe how incredibly lucky I am to not only have such a generous friend, but also such an understanding husband. I am going without my children! No having to rush out the door getting them to school, no grocery shopping, no trying to find the swimming goggles, no wondering where I left the ballet gear…. For THREE weeks. Heaven! So thank you Mack for taking time off work to do it! In my defence, when john and I drove into the driveway after returning from Badminton, you did say “when are you going away again”.
We flew out on the 16th of August and with the Canberra CIC event being on the 4/5 October things are going to be busy on my return. With three weeks before the event I’ve had to squeeze a fair bit of organising into the last few weeks. I’ve worked out that the NCHTA club secretary, Sponorship coordinator, event secretary and a committee member will be over at WEG so I’m sure we can have a few meetings to get everything sorted out while watching the eventing!
In the meantime a short time in Dubai, followed by time in Paris and then onto WEG … gee life is tough!
Kate
