Do people really want to read the nitty gritty details of my life over the last month? I sometimes wonder why. It all seems such a blur and boring at the same time. My daily routine of riding early, rushing home to get the kids out the door to school etc etc is all rather mundane really, with the occasional event/clinic thrown in. But I guess that’s life.
I’ve got a friend who is about to have her first baby and recently asked how I fit everything in. Frankly – sometimes I wonder myself, but basically – housework comes a long way down my list of essential things to do (much to the frustration of my long suffering and amazingly supportive husband). I wish I just didn’t need to sleep as much – I seem to be constantly feeling sleep deprived – people promise me that this passes, but I can’t see that happening anytime soon. Maybe I won’t tell her that sometimes it feels like I’m a zombie on autopilot and I get somewhere and think “Heck, I don’t remember how I got here!”.
The two men in my life
As I’ve probably mentioned before – Mack and John (above) are amazing – so don’t even think you can do it without a supportive team behind you (if you do – hats off to you). I’m also pretty lucky with a great bunch of friends. The eventing community is fantastic and I’ve made a lot of friendships over the years. Even though many have moved overseas (what’s with that – the weather seems horrid over there), I really enjoy catching up with everyone at events and everyone helps out when they can. Mind you, not many offer to change nappies but I guess there’s a line there somewhere!
Time management is a skill I’m learning and improving (usually) and I’ve had to streamline things a bit – there’s a 15 minute gap between when Ben starts school and Abby begins her day at Preschool (on the same grounds) so I spend that time plaiting her hair. Several mothers have commented on it and I tell them that if I had a choice I’d plait Astro any day – he tends to stay still (amazing what a piece of liquorice does to that horse), whereas sometimes I end up chasing Abby around the playground trying to get the elastic in! Another time saving thing I do is unplait Astro while riding him back to the float after my dressage test (yep – I don’t sew them in), that’s five minutes I don’t have to spend later once I get off, as it’s usually action stations to either run around the cross country or show jumping course or deal with a juicy nappy.
I admit it I'm a rubber band plaiter
I give up a lot to ride with my sleep-ins for starters, but I’m also prepared to be a sacrifice for rain. I’ve only had two clinics with Chris Burton and during both of them the heavens have opened and I’ve been drenched. So if you need rain I’ll happily have a lesson, but you might have to pay for his airfares and work around some little event in May.
My first clinic was at ‘eventing paradise’ (otherwise known as Wallaby Hill Farm). This was the day before final event on my calendar at Berrima. I came very close to making a fool of myself when Astro left a leg on the rails before the water and I really felt I was going to have a swim (mind you it was the 2* water and I did come in on a half baked canter), so maybe I do have something else in common with Andrew Nicholson (other than being a kiwi).
Two rails down at Berrima - grrr
The Berrima event was hot. Very hot, so I was really grateful to Tina Stafford for her hospitality which meant we were able to stay at her place in the shade for as long as possible. I was pretty happy with my dressage, which meant of course that the judge wasn’t. The showjumping was a little disappointing as I totally stuffed up the related line and I had two rails down. Pre novice had a rather impressive structure to jump through, which was my undoing, and I took the option. This cost me significant time penalties as well as jump faults, so I finished last. It seems that I am quite proficient at being last. I know that someone has to be last – but why is it mostly me? Don’t worry this has caused me hours of angst and frustration and it’s not for lack of trying not too!
I organised a clinic for Chris to coach here in Canberra for last weekend and I was delighted that it was fully booked and even had a waiting list. I’ve had only positive feedback from it – he gave everyone some good advice and I’m sure everyone learnt something, and if they didn’t, it wasn’t from lack of him trying! The thing that frustrated me was that I don’t seem to be able to get the horse to jump from a perfect spot every time, I KNOW where that spot is, but somehow I don’t get there every time … or maybe anytime! In my defence – I spend a very limited time in the saddle each day – probably only half an hour, while he rides many horses, over many hours, over many, many days so he gets more practice and as they say, practice makes perfect.
Christmas is looming far too quickly for my liking and I’ve done hardly any shopping, and now my days are filled with Christmas concerts and other such end of school year festivities. Thank heavens for late night and internet shopping is all I can say. I’m hoping there may be some new boots under the tree – my old faithfuls who I’ve had for over 10 years (and I bought second hand) are ‘talking’ a bit at the front and I’m having a rather significant birthday in February so maybe I’ll be in luck!
I hope you all have a safe and peaceful Christmas time – I’m going showjumping in Cooma in the new year, so might see some of you there, it’s a great show.
Kate
