At last I am happy to report that at the last event of 2013 I finished on my dressage score!
The event in question was Berrima and despite it being very hot and flies being a real pain my dressage test was actually fun to ride (oh shock horror – the heat must’ve been bad). The cross country course was very similar to the one at the previous event I’d ridden there, so I wasn’t concerned about the jumps, but I was worried about making the time.
Astro produced the goods at Berrima!
For those who are familiar – my trusty (well sometimes) steed is somewhat noisy. In fact – he makes a racket – as he is a roarer and I do worry at times that he’s got enough puff. (He’s fit enough, but he still sounds like he’s having a rough time of it all. During my lesson with Burto the week prior, he made me walk as soon as I’d done the lines, as he couldn’t bear listening to him!) I’d watched some of Burtos masterclass at Adeliade, where he talked about saving time cross country by taking tighter lines. I heeded this advice, and decided to ‘do a Burto’ on course – which also entailed going like the clappers and not really taking a significant check like I had in the past (let me add this was my idea and probably fraught with risk!).
Check out my sunnie footage from Berrima - clear and under time - yeah!!
I was astonished at how well he went – he met every jump at a perfect spot and we just flew around. We ended up having to canter the last few jumps, and finished 10 seconds under time. I’ve usually been 30 seconds over in all my pre novice cross country rounds so this was so exciting. What was also slightly entertaining was my show jumping, which I felt had been a bit chaotic and somewhat hairy, seem to impress others – to my great surprise. After my clear round, the clapping and several people commenting on my lovely round l’ve decided I really have no idea what I’m doing, but I’ll take all the complements regardless.
I was rewarded with a sixth place ribbon – much to the kids delight, and mine too. Not sure what I can attribute that great success too, but he got a new halter the day before and he let me plait his forelock without complaint, so it could have been that.
Astro earned himself a bit of R&R after his efforts in 2013, and the Doak family kindly hosted him at their property. He shared a paddock with their youngster Romeo, and thus Astro has a new name – Juliet – they fell in love and when we loaded Juliet on the float he vocalised his dismay – loudly! However, it seems that their love wasn’t all that overwhelming as he’s happily eating all his hay and feed, so not love sick at all. Fickle if you ask me!
While Astro had his break, we celebrated Christmas in Sydney with family. Sadly it rained while we were there and the sun only came out as we were leaving. We then got home, unpacked the campervan, packed up the boat, and headed down to Tuross Head for five nights at the beach. Somehow our holidays seem to attract less than ideal weather, with most days being quite windy, but the kids still swam most days and we had a lovely time. Despite a determined effort, very few fish were caught, but we had fun anyway.
Fun times on the boat
Now it’s January and NCHTA is hosting Lucinda Green and Andrew McLean for a clinic in mid February and our event is in mid March, so it’s action stations getting that all organised. One of my favourite sayings is there is no rest for the wicked, but seriously I am finding the time to be wicked quite tricky …
Home made jam
School holidays continue; we are surviving well, the kids have been enjoying playing outside when it’s not too hot and we’ve been down to the river swimming a few times. I’ve been making jam from the fruit in the garden and my veges are growing well ( have I mentioned I’m a little obsessed about my vege patch – just another hobby of mine!)
My vege patch complete with raspberries, corn, water melon, lettuce going to seed,
rhubarb, tomatoes, potatoes, zucchini … and weeds!
We head up to Jindabyne this week for a bit of show jumping. Astro has been in work for about two days, so not going there to win, just to have some fun with friends! Hope to see some of the eventing crowd there.
Enjoy yourselves and keep on smiling
Kate
