I'm determined not to forget anything ...
As everyone has probably heard by now, Shane and Taurus have been selected as part of the Australia Eventing Team heading off to the London Olympics! A big congratulations to the other members of the team and also the reserve riders!
With all the appeals nearly dealt with, I have turned my attention to packing and getting ready to fly. I have nearly managed to pack all of Arveys (Taurus) gear bar a few things that are still being used. Packing in itself is a massive effort and before I start I like to write a list so as to hopefully not forget anything! My list currently stands at two pages long! I then have to go through everything and make sure it is cleaned meticulously. This means going through all the velcro on boots and pulling out any grass seeds or hay that may be stuck in them, a rather time consuming/boring job! Believe me when I say that by the end of it I didn’t want to see any more Velcro for a very long time! My packing skills have certainly improved since I started travelling with Shane and his team of horses and I have learned to utilise every available space! Whilst Arveys gear is nearly all done, I haven’t started on my own stuff yet … not a good sign given that we leave very soon.
I refuse to look at any more velcro!
Everyone keeps asking me if I’m excited about going and I don’t think it has really sunk in yet that we are heading off on another overseas adventure. The last month has been so hectic, trying to make sure that nothing interrupts our preparations and if you think that would make Shane slow down you would be wrong … he most certainly hasn’t! We have spent the last couple of weeks concreting parts of the driveway as well as riding 50 plus horses.
I think once I get over to the UK and settle into the team environment and digest it all I will be more excited. This will be my third trip away with the Australian team and I’m really looking forward to catching up with some of our overseas based riders and grooms. Being with the team is lots of fun as well as plenty of hard work.
Being able to watch the elite riders will make me want to get back to my own riding as soon as we are home. Capone (pictured above) will be having a little break while I’m away with Arvey, but I really pleased with him as he been coming along really well and was entered for the Hunter Trials at Camden but due to bad weather we had to call them off. Niki has just taken Walter the dressage horse back. She has been keen to get back into the saddle since Olivia was born and she has already entered some dressage days. There’s no holding her back! I have also had to add baby sitting duties to my list of credentials. Little Olivia and I head off for our daily walk when Niki comes out to ride and so far so good!
Shane and I will be away for about five weeks so Bimbadeen will be left in the very capable hands of Rachel and the rest of the team. They will all be following us closely on TV and for those of you who are interested I will be posting what I can on facebook and Niki has even set up a twitter account for Shane and Arvey. So I will be posting on there too, as soon as I work out how to use it!
Next time you here from me, we will be in the UK! Happy Eventing everyone!
