Wow I am loving this journey. Life, I mean, it is so diverse, and you never EVER know what is coming next. Even when you think you know, really you don’t! I am learning so much every day, week and month and I’m filled with gratitude for the journey. Change is coming, again! No surprises there, that’s life right? But it feels like looking back on it, the last few years of my life really have been action packed, and 2014 is proving to be exactly the same!
Regarding horses, things are going brilliantly! My two competitive mounts at the moment, Archie and Nemo, both had successful runs at the Friends of Ballarat Hickstead on the weekend, Archie finishing up 11th in the 1* and Nemo 5th in the Prelim. They both produced personal bests in their dressage and clear jumping rounds. For Archie, this was his first clear show jumping round at 1* level, and also his best finishing position in a 1* class. Both these boys are stepping up to the next level at Albury Horse Trials in April, Archie (and myself!!!) having our first 2** start, and Nemo going up to Pre Novice.
Archie the super pony jumping into the water at the Ballarat Hickstead on the weekend … brave pony!
Not a particularly nice photo of me, but gosh my pony is cute!
Photo thanks to Jenelle Christopher
I had a show jumping lesson with super coach, Jamie Coman, two weeks ago, where he commented “It’s like I haven’t seen the horse and rider combination for a few months, and they come back and everything has come together!” - we hadn’t seen Jamie since our show jumping warm up at Melbourne 3DE in June last year, so it was fantastic to be back in his arena and awesome to hear that he feels the horse has come so far! I also asked him if he felt we were ready for a 2** start, to which he said “If you can ride it like this, you will be able to jump around 120cm no problems!” So, with Jamie’s blessing, I was very excited to enter my first 2** event. It has been a very long time coming, with lots of hard work, but as I tick off yet another milestone, I can feel my long term goals of one day representing Australia at 4**** level, getting closer.
One of my favourite quotes: “The difference in Winning and Losing is most often, NOT QUITTING…”
Walt Disney
Equestrian sports give us this choice on a regular basis. To give up because it is too hard, or there are too many obstacles, or there have been too many set backs, or there are too many reasons why it’s not easy. I don’t consider myself a talented rider, but god I know I’m persistent. And the closer I get to my goal, the more I can almost taste it and touch it, the fire in the pit of my belly to see it come to fruition only burns brighter. I know there is a long journey still to get there, but my attitude is this: “Do whatever it takes, for as long as it takes, to achieve your dreams.” so, knowing that I will get there at some stage, allows me to take a step back and really enjoy this journey! It’s like reading a book that you know how it finishes, but having no idea of what the pages between the covers hold! Exciting adventures…
Muz is going brilliantly, he is back in work and sound, which is fantastic, and I’m even looking at a competition start for him in the coming month or two. It will be great to have him back out and competing again! Fanny, the grey filly I am riding, is ticking along as well, though right now I am without a groom, so I don’t have time for her every day! Catherine, my groom and Nemo’s owner, had her hip surgery last week (which is the reason I’m riding her horse at the moment) and it went really well! The doctor’s think she’ll be back in the saddle in the next 3-4 months, so by the time he’s had a break after the season and is ready to come back into work in July, she’ll be ready to hop on board! I’m super excited for her!
The driveway to a new part of my life
In other news, I’m moving house…again. David Boyle, my best friend and dressage rider, and I, have been fortunate enough to secure the lease on an amazing property in Deavon Meadows, Victoria, where we will be based from the beginning of April! We have decided to take on a limited number of agistees and horses in training, but the awesome facilities are first and foremost there for our own horses. We have a beautiful 70x30 floodlit, all weather granulated rubber arena, with a full set of show jumps, a sand round yard with rubber edging, 22 post and rail and electric paddocks and 6 lovely big stables for our fur babies! We are SO excited about this place and the possibilities it will hold for us as riders and coaches! I’m super pumped to start taking show jumping students again - I simply haven’t had the facilities to do so where I am currently (our arena is too small!).
Some shots of our new property…
The floodlit arena
Our snazzy arena and round yard…
The stables
My business is also growing and developing, another area where I am getting HEAPS of chances to learn about myself and grow into a stronger, more resourceful person. I have been doing a heap of live workshops and seminars with both private clubs and other business in the last month, and I’m loving it! This is just giving me the chance to get in front of so many more people, spreading my message and changing more rider’s lives for the better! Such a great feeling spending a couple of hours with a group, and knowing that they walk away feeling differently about their riding than they ever have before!
At my most recent event, I also launched a brand new high end program in my business, it’s designed especially for riders who are serious about going from where they are now, to becoming the rider they dream of being. It’s getting an incredible response so far, with most of the people who I’ve shared it with, jumping on board to be part of the action straight away! I’m so excited about the change that this means for my business, and also for the awesome stuff that I’m going to be contributing to in these rider’s lives in the coming months and years that we team up! Awesome!
Presenting at the live event over the weekend at Mustad Lowdens Saddleworld in Kilmore
All in all, I am feeling inspired, committed to my journey and so incredibly grateful for the path I am on, the opportunities that come my way and the people who are here with me! There are seriously exciting times ahead, and I can’t wait to come back to you next month with reports on how my first ever 2** event goes!
Remember, whatever you focus on expands. Nobody’s journey is challenge-free. Focus on what you have to be grateful for and you will ultimately create more of the same…
Best Riding,
Nicole
