It’s time to blog again!
Sorry I haven’t blogged in a VERY long time. I can be quite bad at this inside computer stuff. I much prefer to be outside with the ponies but now that the competition season is over, its time for a recap of the past few months.
So, the last time I blogged was in February. Admittedly I had to go back and read it to remember what had happened! Since February we have been to 11 competitions - here is a recap of them!
March
Tonimbuk CIC
- Rabbit finished on her dressage score for 7th place in her first EvA105.
- Stormy was leading the EvA95 after the dressage and show jumping but some steering issues forced us to retire
- My catch ride, Moon, in the EvA95 proved a challenge in the two jumping phases but posted an awesome dressage score
Moyhu PC ODE
- Nugget finished 4th in the grade 2. We used this event as a refresher for him before he went to Wandin. It had been a while since his last event and he needed to get out and remember was a cross country jump was. He was a very good boy!
Wandin CIC
- Secrets came 7th in the 2* giving me the most amazing ride on cross country
- Nugget came 21st in the EvA95, adding 4 show jumping faults to his dressage score. He was super cross country and his dressage wasn’t bad either although he didn’t score well. That’s dressage hey!
Mansfield PC ODE
- The exciting news that I had to report in my February blog was that I got a new horse. His name is Rocky and I had my first outing on him at Mansfield in the grade 1. He came second, finishing on his dressage score!
April
Albury CIC
- Albury was a busy one for us, being our home event and having 5 horses entered in 4 different classes!
- Boris was in the 3*. He unfortunately didn’t get to complete the event due to dehydration after the tough cross country. Poor Boris :( He made a full recovery and looked as if he could have done the showjumping the next day. We made the decision to give him a week off which meant that he wouldn’t be ready to go to Sydney International 3 Day Event. The plan was to re route him to go to Melbourne.
- Secrets came 23rd in the 2*. Again giving me an amazing ride on cross country!
- Rocky, the newbie came 10th in the Young Rider 1*
- Nugget was doing his 1st EvA105 and Rabbit her 2nd. They were super finishing in 12th and 7th place.
2 kids camps
- For our Easter camps we decided to split them up into age groups. Junior and Young Rider. This mean that the kids were grouped up with others of similar ages and abilities.
- All the kids and ponies were fantastic and we all had a great time!
Camden CIC
- Rocky finished 12th in the 1*
- Rabbit was 5th in the EvA105 and felt so ready to step up and tackle 1*!
- Nugget tried his heart out in his second EvA105 but was a little too keen and ran into trouble on the cross country when he ran out of room in a combination. Valuable learning experience for him and me.
A local jumping show
- Nugget jumped in the 95 and 105cm
- Secrets, Rocky and Rabbit jumped in the 115 and 125cm
- Boris jumped in the Grand Prix!
- This show was exactly what the horses and I needed! Perfect timing, right before Sydney and Taupo 3 Days!
- After the jumping show, Nugget got turned out on holidays. He is back in work now and it learning to shorten his canter stride so we don’t run out of room again on cross country!
May
Sydney International 3 Day Event
- Rocky came 3rd in the CCI 1*!! At this point, I had only had him for about 6 weeks so I was very proud of what we achieved.
- I was also very proud of Rabbit who finished 8th in the tough CIC 1*. This was our first ride together at this level and she made it feel so easy!!
Taupo International 3 Day Event
- Secrets and I were selected in the Australian Young Rider Team! Before we flew out to New Zealand, we attended a 3 day training camp at Shane Rose’s property that consisted of dressage and jumping lessons as well as a final gallop before us and the horses boarded the plane.
- I was chosen as first of our team of 4 to ride so I opened the CCI 2* class. My dressage was in the pouring rain, typical NZ weather! Secrets held it together for a reasonable test and score.
- The cross country was big and tough but looked very doable. I was super excited to get out there and ride it. Unfortunately I only made it to fence 7 where I made a crash landing into the very cold, wet and dirty water jump.
- This was not in the plan but that’s eventing! Luckily my 3 other team mates made it home. They all went on to jump awesome show jumping rounds and secured Australia 2nd place in the teams competition.
- Other than going for a swim in the water jump, I had a great time in New Zealand and met some wonderful people!
Woady Yallock CNC
- We flew back into Australia on Monday, I arrived home on Tuesday and on Friday we set off for Woady Yallock CNC with 3 ponies!
- Rocky and I did our first 2* together and finished in 12th place. He is such a cool horse!
- Rabbit and I were aiming to gain our final qualification to ride at Melbourne 3 Day. Again, not everything went to plan. It looked like I had made a habit of falling off! This time it was not into the water jump but rather just going around a turn. Very disappointing because we were going so well! I thought my Melbourne hopes and dreams were over but I was able to apply for an exception and it was granted. YAY!
- Secrets travelled home from NZ well so I was able to change my entry and ride her in the EvA105. We had lovely, cruisy rides in all 3 phases to finish 9th. I was very glad that she hadn’t scared herself when we were in NZ and that she was back to normal.
- Rocky and Secrets began their holiday after Woady. They were very happy ponies!
June
Melbourne International 3 Day Event
- Boris was in the 3*, feeling the fittest he has ever been, he was very ready to tackle the challenge that was our first 3 Day 3* together. Phase 1, dressage was good. Not scoring a PB but doing some great work for 9th place heading into phase two, the cross country. I was having the best time out on cross country until fence 16, the dreaded ditch and brush. Boris misread the take off and subsequently ended up in the ditch, rather than up and over it. I then elected to retire. We made the long, sad walk back to the cool down area. Neither Boris or I were hurt and at the end of the day, that is all that matters.
- Once again things didn’t go to plan! The plan is now to gain our qualification for Adelaide 4* at Goulburn CCI. Of course we will do some ditch and brush schooling before then!
- Rabbit finished a credible 24th in the huge CCI 1* class of 70 competitors. She was great in the dressage, not even noticing the atmosphere and crowds. We had a great ride around the cross country, she came in clear and under time and looking very ready to go again! She trotted up great the following morning and jumped an 8 fault round. I expected her to be a bit tired so I kept the warm up to a minimum. She was the opposite, feeling very fresh! I could have given her an extra half hours work! Lesson learned for next time but I am glad she was so fit and that she felt so good after her efforts the day before!
That’s about all I’ve been up to!
I have some thank you’s to make to people who have made all this possible!
- My Mum and Dad, for doing/helping with basically everything!
- Rabbits and Nuggets owners – Carolyn Jolley and Black Hawk Farm. This pair is pretty special so thank you for allowing me to ride them!
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My sponsors
- Pryde’s EasiFeed – For making awesome products that help keep my horses tummies full and allowing them to perform to the best of their abilities
- Black Horse Clothing – For outfitting me for my everyday riding as well as competition. The clothes fit well, wash up well and look awesome!
- Horseland Albury – For stocking a great range of everyday supplies, brushes, halters, rugs, supplements, poultice, vet needs. You name it, they have it! If not, they will do their best to order it in for you!
- Kelvin Grove Equestrian – For stocking the most amazing leather gear. I cannot recommend Butet saddles high enough. They are so comfy, the last and I credit my dressage saddle for making sitting trot easier! I also love the Dy’on range of bridles and I love my croc top gaiters!
- My coaches – Jenny Sheppard and Sandy Rosenbrock. Your time and expertise is very much appreciated. Thank you for getting the best our of my horses and I!
- Thanks to the EA and their support staff for everything they did for us as a team when we were in NZ. It was the most incredible experience!
- Thanks to all my clients for being so flexible and understanding when I was away competing. I love teaching all of you!
- I hope I haven’t missed anyone!!
The plan from here is:
- Holidays for Boris, Secrets, Rocky and Rabbit for a few more weeks before they come back into light work
- Bootcamp for Nugget!
- Taming the baby horses! We have 3 rising 4 year olds and a newly broken in 3 year old that need some attention!
- Teaching, lots and lots of teaching! Next weekend, I am off to Armidale to teach a clinic at New England Girls School’s wonderful facility
- Competition wise, we wont start back until August and for the rest of the year we will be aiming to attend as many dressage and jumping shows as possible,
I will endeavour to blog more but you can also get more updates from me at
www.facebook.com/teeganashbyequestrian
We are also on Instagram @teeganashbyequestrian
Until next time (hopefully soon!)
Xx Teegan
