The boys are out for Christmas and it's time to reflect
It has been a while since I’ve written a blog and honestly, it’s because I had no way to put down on paper how I felt about what happened in August. Now over halfway through December I hope I have gained enough perspective to write something meaningful about someone that I miss every day.
Every so often in your life, you meet someone who becomes your best friend, shares your dreams, laughs at your quirks, and gives you a good kick in the backside as and when required. They become more of a sibling than a friend, your “go-to” person and your right hand.
For me, Tom Gadsby was one of those rare people. I can’t remember exactly how we met, but I do recall that it involved a large amount of champagne and an enormous hangover the following day.
In the 10 years in which I was privileged to know Tom (including having him live in my house for four months), I learnt a number of very important things.
- Nothing is so bad that it cannot be solved with a. gin or b. champagne.
- He didn’t “do” mornings. Or Wednesdays.
- “Come the **** on Bridget!!!!”
- Style is paramount. Woe betide you if you rolled out of bed and didn’t colour coordinate to go and ride.
- He baked a mean banana cake.
One of my fondest memories of Tom was our trip to Melbourne 3DE in 2009. About an hour out of Albury, we realised that our diesel situation was less than ideal. As we got further down the road and the fuel indicator continued to drop, we started to get quite alarmed and pulled off the Hume Highway in the hopes of finding a small town with a diesel pump. This we found, and after backing the truck down the MAIN street of some teeny Victorian town, we filled the truck up and went inside to pay.
Next to the counter was a cage containing two very small and fairy manky looking tabby kittens - $10 each. Mr. Bleeding Heart started in “Oh Laura, they’re so cute, we can’t just leave them, we can take them in the truck to Melbourne and when we get home they can be barn cats”.
This continued for about 15 minutes getting gradually more tragic and histrionic before I said “If you don’t stop your whining I’m calling Mummy Wallace and you can bet she’s not going to let you have two mangy kittens no matter HOW cute”. He didn’t speak to me for the remaining four hours of the journey.
I am eternally grateful that the last time I saw Tom, we were at Aston-le-Walls, both riding three horses. In an odd bit of scheduling, we trotted down the centre line at the same time in adjoining arenas, not once but twice. It was so awesome. I was so lucky to have had a friend like Tom, and I’m still not entirely sure how I’m meant to finish all the things we said we’d do in life, without him.
With his dulcet tones in mind “just keep kicking sweetie they’re only jumps” I finished the eventing season this year. Gus had a solid run in his first intermediate at Wellington despite a few rider errors, whilst the Irish pulled a shoe off midway round the showjumping so I called it a day.
Wesley and Dan distinguished themselves by behaving like a pair of naughty teenagers at Firle– wild in the dressage and distracted in the showjumping. They then jumped lovely cross country rounds – except that the rider then had an attack of the “uselesses” and gave them both a 20 cross country – at different fences, no less. That was definitely a Saturday that needed to go in the bin.
What was the most satisfying part of the end of the season was the Irish being a star at South of England CIC** (above). He is a very talented but sharp and quirky character and our relationship has not been without its challenges thus far. He is very quick to remind me if I go to sleep on the job or make a mistake. However he did a nice test, had a storming cross country round (except the rider should dye her hair blonde for the technical 20) and then just had one show jump down. I couldn’t have been more pleased if he had won and finally feel like we are on track for an exciting 2014. Gus on the other hand, set off cross country in the CIC** at what he considered was an appropriate speed, which would have been fine if we’d been at the Grand National. Note to self, that bit doesn’t work…
We have a full yard of horses still in work this winter, and I am fortunate to have been given the ride on a really sweet four year old mare of Francis’ (Whittington). Sylvia will be making her competitive debut next year when she has learnt to control all four of her rather lovely legs. Speaking of lovely legs, I’ve recently had the privilege of riding Smokey (Easy Target), whilst Francis went on holiday with his family. It was a little bit like meeting a movie star. All very well to give him a pat in the morning when I walk down the yard, another thing entirely to be allowed to go and trot circles on him! Thanks Francis – feel free to go on holiday whenever you like….
I am heading home to Australia for Christmas in a couple of days and I look forward to an overdue catch up with friends I’ve not seen for far too long.
With best wishes for a very merry Christmas and happy eventing in 2014,
Laura.
The 2013 Thank You Roll
Heather and Glenn: still the most amazing parents ever, thank you for your faith in me and your continuing support.
Francis and Sam Whittington: thank you for making me feel like part of your family and helping me in every possible way, both on and off a horse. It is a privilege to be based with such genuinely lovely people.
Max Whittington: the coolest and most entertaining 4 year old ever.
Sharon Mepham: I’m not sure where to start - you are an absolute genius. Thank you for all your help with everything from shifting houses to feeds for skinny horses that I never knew existed, and all things in between.
Milbourn Equine: best vets in the South East, thank you Howard Newitt.
Summerhill Equine: best vets in Gloucestershire, thank you Tim Beauregarde.
Matt Ely: for keeping the horses feet in top condition.
Caroline and Eric Balog, Katherine and Damien Strelein, Sue and Andrew Hearn: thank you for looking after my parents, and for the hilarious phone calls from “locals” night at The Stone Room/E2.
And in no particular order, the people that laugh with me, cry with me and make my world go round: Hannah Anderson, Clare Anderson, Lauz Lim, Bella Mowbray, Kirsty Caudell, Ramon Perez, Ben Lott, Juliet Wood, Ellie Rocca, Ben Antenucci and anyone else I’ve missed please insert your name here – I promise I’ve not missed you off the list on purpose!
