My best friend to whom I owe such a lot - Sugio or Pete to his friends
I have to admit that I was filled with trepidation when Alison asked me whether I would blog for An Eventful Life. Not only because there are some really very entertaining people already filling your screens with their eventing experiences but also because I am starting my blog at a time in my life when I am having to ask some hard questions about where I am headed.
It is no secret that eventing is a tough sport, and it is a fact that all of us acknowledge when we decide to pursue it as a full time career. However, sometimes, it sneaks up on us in a way that makes you really sit back and think about your motivation for continuing.
My wake up call came in the form of an accident at Tattersalls where I lost my 3* horse, and best friend, Sugoi aka Pete. He was a funny character in more ways than one - he loved black jellybeans and carrots, thought dressage was very boring despite being quite talented at it, and as for jumping in some kind of orthodox arrangement…he left the rails up more often than not so I just gave up on that one! But frivolity aside, Pete was the horse that allowed me to get back to riding at 3* level after a series of mishaps and he wheeded his way into my heart in the process of doing it. I miss him every day.
The gruesome photo of my arm
The less gruesome photo
Losing him so suddenly, having only recently relocated to England, made me think very hard about what to do next. I have also had a lot of thinking time because I broke my arm in the fall and now have a plate and several screws in it hence no riding. During this thinking time I came up with several options.
- Give up riding and get a “proper” job.
- Give up eventing and become a dressage rider.
- Keep eventing with the nice horses I have.
All of these options are worth discussion because they are something that each and every one of us will probably come across at some point in our eventing careers.
The first – get a ‘proper’ job – has no appeal for me. I dislike being in an office, don’t like being constrained by a clock and have worked for myself for so long that I don’t think having a boss would work for me. Secondly, I consider eventing a ‘proper’ job – running an event team is akin to running a corporation – you still have a hierarchy of people, have customers, suppliers, the need to do accounts, and keep several balls in the air at any given time. So that option is out for me.
The second – become a dressage rider. This I have given very serious thought to. Perhaps more so because where I am based we have an eventing yard AND a dressage yard on the same property. I happen to like schooling horses on the flat and my OCD colour co-ordinated nature does lend itself more to dressage than eventing. However, the reality is, I don’t want to spend five years teaching a horse to piaffe when I have no idea how to and buying a ready to go Grand Prix horse is not a realistic idea within my current budget. I should know, I do the accounts.
The third option, continue eventing with the nice I horses I have, is what I’m going with. The bottom line is, I live in horse heaven. Lavender Hill Stud is paradise, and I am fortunate to be a part of it. I am surrounded my positive, supportive people who are all great riders in their own right, who have picked me up and carried me through a time in my life where it would’ve been very easy to give up. I have three very talented and lovely horses – Sleeping Tiger, Mythical and Wesley, who are all worthy of a serious shot at making my ambitions happen.
Wesley is one of the lovely young horses that I am lucky enough to have. Photo: Cobie Sheehan
So that’s where I’m at. “Uncle” Blyth (Tait) is riding my horses for me until my arm is healed and then we are off eventing again (weather permitting). I have adjusted my goals for the year, we are not going to Burghey but will aim Mythical at Le Lion CCI**. That will mean slightly smaller jumps but no less exciting and as for the young horses they will tootle on being babies, gaining experience, making mistakes and hopefully winning the odd ribbon.
I'm so lucky to be here at Lavender Farm
I'll be back in the dressage arena soon ...
With the Olympics happening just down the road very shortly, it’s an exciting time to be in the UK. As much as I am a proud Kiwi, I would be equally happy for the Australians to get a good run … as long as they don’t beat us!
Happy eventing,
Laura.
PS. I hope this missive serves to clear up the rumour that I’ve had a nervous breakdown and am coming home to retire … ?!
