In between everything else that was going on I managed to organise an Andrew Hoy clinic, which I really enjoyed
There has been plenty going on at the moment and I have only got time to write a blog due to sitting in the truck on my way to Warwick 3DE. I am currently parked at Prue and Craig Barrett’s place where I am having some very valuable lessons on my way up north. I was asked to be team captain of the NSW team and put up the challenge to the Queenslanders in the State of Origin competition. I absolutely love my rugby league, so the temptation of being able to try to redeem the Blues league reputation in not doing so well the last few years (well seven but who’s counting) was a big draw card. Plus the fact I get to meet one of my footy hero’s Shane Webcke. Oh and to run a few horses around a CCI competition early in the year helps with qualifying for some of the other big events later on in the season.
Moving in BBQ on the veranda with family and friends
I have had an extremely hectic few weeks with moving into my new place. Moving is very stressful partly due to the fact that there is so many things you collect over the years and there is a lot of decision making on whether you chuck out this or that. It’s amazing how much rubbish you collect and seem to want to keep just in case it will come in handy … one day …
In the middle of moving, I had to take off to the National Squad camp with everything still sitting on the veranda and our rental house a mess. I am very thankful that I have a very forgiving partner and lots of family, friends and neighbours who helped out with the move and cleaning.
The National camp was held at Wallaby Hill and thanks to the EA for organising this and to Alex Townsend for letting us use her amazing world class facilities for training. We had some great dressage lessons with Brett Parbery. Rod Brown and Sam Lyle helped us with our show jumping whilst we were videoed and Caroline Lieutenant judged our test for the up and coming three day event. Later on we all sat around as a team and she critiqued our tests, which was very helpful.
Physio screenings were also a part of the camp. This is such an important part of our training as we are assessed on where our weaknesses are and how we can improve our flexibility and strength in area’s lacking those things. This helps us for now and also in the future as riders, and it goes towards helping prevent any further injury (which is quite common amongst us athletes). All too often we seem to get the horses treated but leave ourselves to fall apart in the meantime.
After the National Camp I came home for Tuesday and had to teach at Cowra, then on Wednesday and Thursday I had organised a clinic in Canberra with Andrew Hoy for two days. It was a great experience to have Andrew here and to learn from the master himself and I got a great deal out of it.
I enjoyed a good weekend at SIEC despite the weather
Friday it was up to SIEC for the Weekend comp where I ran four horses. Unfortunately due to the 100mm of rain overnight the cross country was cancelled. Maybe I am getting old, but I thought it was a good decision by the committee to can the cross country. Even through cross country day itself turned out to be a nice day the course was absolutely sodden and skating down to the water jumps wasn’t my idea of fun for the first event of the year for me. So with the event turning into a combined training event I was pleased with Algebra who placed second in the 2 star. It is good for his mind to do an event or two at a lower grade and we are working very hard on getting him to relax more in all phases. We will be trying for a spot in the Trans Tasman team for the upcoming Sydney three day event. Girl with a Curl won the 1 star class. This is probably her fifth or so win at this level, but she also needs a softer run to keep her confidence as she is so careful. I was also happy with the runs from My Aladdin and GV Billiecart.
My mystery partner at the wedding in New Zealand
Home for a week then I choofed off to Auckland for a good friends wedding, then it was back home, teaching and riding again. In amongst all this I have been getting ‘the boys’ to do some fencing then it was time for me to head off to Warwick! My trip is only made possible because of the ‘Peets’ from Coolamon who are loaning me their truck for the week and also their dedicated daughter Brianna who is taking time out of her uni studies to groom. After a couple of lessons with Prue and Craig I will then start the final leg of the journey to Warwick!
Jake on Roo patrol on the way to Warwick
So busy times for us and I sometimes wonder what the normal people get up to, but as they say time flies when you are having fun and I wouldn’t like to have it any other way.
Woo hoo we made it across the border. It is quicker for me to get to Adelaide than Warwick I discovered!
