So I’m sitting here playing the waiting game, and thought that it would be a great time to sit down and write a blog, because I have SO much to catch you up on…
Which waiting game you ask? The interstate horse transport truck waiting game of course, I have very recently purchase a new event horse to go on with, and he arrives today from South Australia, where he has spent the last 6 months with my eventing coach, Megan Jones. I’m SO DAMN EXCITED I CAN’T CONCENTRATE ON MY WORK!!! So I thought it best to blog instead! :-)
Luke is a 5 year old thoroughbred gelding by Zabeel who was never raced and has been given a wonderful start in life by a family over in Western Australia. He stands at 17.3hh and is still very much a big gangly baby, but he moves exceptionally well (particularly for such a big horse), and has one of the best temperaments I’ve seen on a green horse in a very long time. He’s just started learning to jump, popping over some cross rails, and is proving to be brave and honest.
Luke when I went over to Kirby Park to ride him a few weeks ago (above) and just after arrival at our home, settling into his paddock well (now that he’s gotten over his fear of his water trough…)
In other news, I not long ago made the decision that I would sell Muz as a trail riding or pleasure horse. I knew this would be a challenge because he can be a bit hot and sensitive at times, so did not really fit the typical description of a bombproof, unflappable trail riding horse. I had a few people come out to see him, as usual when advertising a horse for $1000, there were some interesting ones! And I was beginning to worry that I may not be able to find the perfect home for my special man.
In passing one afternoon I mentioned to a local saddler who was here to fit a saddle to one of our agistee’s horses, that I had a pleasure horse available. A short time later, he got back in contact and put me in touch with a lovely young family who excitingly have offered Muz a forever home!!! He is going to be the most spoiled rotten pet ever, and further to that, I have full visiting rights, so I’ll get to visit and cuddle him occasionally too.
I feel SO blessed to have had this special horse cross my path, even though it has only been a short journey we have shared together, he has taught me so much and given me so much as a rider, and I would do it all over again if I had my time over. Most of all I have a great sense of peace, that he is moving on to make a young family happy and to bring them joy. If ever a horse deserved a happily ever after, it's one that has taught an aspiring rider as much as Muz has taught me.
Muz & I at our last ever competition together, before he went unsound and had to be retired - Lakes & Craters 3DE, 2012 - Pre Novice
Photo courtesy David Kelly
Archie has also decided to go on strike, after a few weeks of bizarre inconsistency, I finally got Kirsten Niel to come out and we’ve done some investigative work and found that there is a very small and very mild, but chronic, partial rupture to the medial branch of the superficial digital flexor tendon over the back of his pastern on his near side fore. So he’s on three months of walking on hard ground before we re-scan and take it from there. I’m glad there weren’t too many events left for the season that I had planned for him. As frustrating as horses can be, I’m actually relieved that this is a tendon issue, and not a bony change. After the last two years of struggling with Muz and his fetlock spur, I don’t know that I could stomach another one of those just now!
Archie and I have been doing lots of visits to the beach lately as the weather is warming up!
Frida, my rising 4yo has also been enjoying her new life as a horse in work, and has learned lovely ground manners and how to lunge. This morning she wore her first ever bridle during work and coped very well. I’ll be starting long reining her next week and once the steering is installed, it’ll be time to hop on and go for a ride. She is proving to have a great nature and work ethic, and moves beautifully to boot. Unfortunately I don’t think she is going to be tall enough for me. She currently stands at about 15.3hh and her knees are pretty much closed, so although she might reach 16hh, she's certainly not going to be big enough for someone as tall as I am! So looks like Frida will be for sale shortly as well.
It seems that it’s the season to sell horses, as I’ve been inundated of late with clients with horses for sale and have had some really nice ones pass through and go on to new owners and exciting futures.
Two weeks ago we hosted a clinic here at home with eventing superstar Megan Jones. There hasn’t been anywhere locally that has been running regular clinics with her for a while, and I absolutely love lessons with her, so I decided that now we have the facilities to host clinics, that I would fly the flag for Megan Jones clinics in the south-east of Victoria! The clinic was a massive success, and we are already almost booked out for the next one to be held at the end of November. Looks like Megan will be making a regular trip over here for two or three days of teaching. At least every 6-8 weeks!
In non-horsey news, last month I spent three weeks in Asia for work, two weeks in Malaysia followed by a week in Singapore. I attained the next level in my qualification and spent some time with my business mentors. It was a brilliant experience, I learned so much and have got some huge ideas in the pipelines that I’m working on. This month, my mindset coaching for rider’s business, Think Forward Coaching, has been operational for three years! The business has grown and developed a lot over that time, and it really does feel like only yesterday that it was founded. Can’t wait to see where the next three years take me, that’s for sure.
Accepting my certificate from my business mentor as a Master level Facilitator, in Singapore
Well, as it stands it looks like I won’t be doing much competing for the remainder of this year, with a baby horse that’s unbroken, Muz heading to his new home, Archie confined to walking on hard surfaces and Luke who I’m going to be spending some quality time getting to know at home before he goes out, so I’ll no doubt be out and about supporting, cheering and getting VERY jealous in the coming months and quietly planning my 2015 competition calendar.
Hope everyone is enjoying the slightly warmer weather and is ready to welcome summer with open arms!
Will come back with another update soon!!
Best Riding,
Nicole
