This past month has flown by – probably in relation to the saying ‘time flies when you’re having fun!’. I feel like I have a lot to blog about … I will start from the beginning.
Not long after my previous blog I sat down and really thought for a while about what direction I want my career to go in. Currently my work at Fox United in the office is not being done with the thoughts of that becoming my ‘lifelong’ job. I have always wanted to eventually become a full time rider and coach. I have realised that if I want to pursue this further I really needed to commit to it, so without further ado I would like to introduce my new business – Makayla Wood Equestrian!
I am currently in the process of designing my website for MW Equestrian and will post the link once it’s live, however in the mean time please feel free to visit and ‘like’ my facebook page
I am now down to only two days in the office, and spend my other three days (as well as before/after work) coaching and riding. Although we have had some seriously hot days here in WA (and after those days of spending five plus hours standing out in the sun I briefly thought to myself ‘maybe life was better in an air-conditioned office!) I can honestly say I am very passionate about coaching and inspiring people of all levels and ages to keep improving and striving for better training methods, so it’s well worth the time in the sun! And have invested in a very wide brimmed hat!!!
It has been a very busy month, with my horses now back in work. I will have three of my own to campaign this year– Just Corona and Early Days who competed successfully last year, as well as a young one who I am hoping will have his first competition experience in the next few months. On top of this I am also taking horses on for training, with the hopes of eventually having the privilege of an owner coming on board with my business. Currently I have five horses in work; the three of my own as well as a horse and a pony I am training for others.
Recent outings included taking a pony to the Orange Grove Summer Show where we competed (yes, I am very serious) in the pony hack and hunter sections. Although I felt slightly out of place trotting around the ring, my hacking debut was actually semi enjoyable as I came home with a bunch of ribbons and rosettes!
Photo by K, Barnard
Above is the pony ‘Karma Park Victory’ and I on the way to winning Reserve Champion Show Pony and then, later that day, winning the Working Hunter class. Karma Park Victory is actually for sale and his advert can be viewed by clicking HERE
I have also recently attended the Jamie Coman Showjumping clinic held at Newhope Equestrian. I rode Just Corona and Early Days (above) in my lessons over the two days and it was a great introduction to the season. Both horses jumped really well and improved significantly over the two days. I was particularly impressed with Trumpet (Corona) as generally after a long break he comes back not jumping as well as he was before the break, however this year he has not changed and feels amazing. A large thanks to all the people at Newhope Equestrian and also to Jamie who is just the master of jumping in my eyes.
Trumpet felt great at the Jamie Coman clinic
On a social note – I celebrated my 21st birthday on the night of the 19th January. I was lucky enough to celebrate this on a river cruise that departed from Fremantle Jetty. It was a great night and everything ended up being better than I had expected. Everyone had a lot of fun and I saw quite a few faces I haven’t seen for a while which was a nice surprise! My actual birthday is the 20th so I was thinking we could do a bit of a ‘count down’ til midnight, but as the boat dropped us back to the jetty at around 11/11:30pm, this countdown was admittedly done in the foyer of the hotel a few of us were sleeping at, and we all actually missed the countdown – I was only aware when I received a text message at 12:01am! Despite this, it was such a great night, although I’m slightly concerned because everyone keeps saying to me that it’s apparently ‘all downhill from here…!’
Dad, myself and Mum on my 21st birthday River Cruise
Photo by Redfotos
Future events on the cards include more clinics, those being Stuart Tinney and then Andrew Hoy. W.A.Y.E.R (West Australian Young Event Riders) squad is bringing over Andrew and I am very excited as this will be the first time I have received any coaching from him. This clinic is on the 22nd – 24th February held at Brookleigh and on the evening of the 23rd Andrew is giving an informative talk, which I am also looking forward to. Although the clinic is full, this talk is open to unlimited numbers so anyone who would be interested in going please look at the WAYER website by clicking HERE.
That’s all from me for now, onwards and upwards into the eventing season from here, and I can’t wait!
Til next time… 
