Before I start telling you about my up-coming adventures over here in Europe I thought I'd better fill you in a little bit on how I got to this point ...
Like lots of people I got into horses when I was young and did the Pony Club bit. When my daughter Courtney started to become interested in eventing I became a sponsor, a groom, a truck driver and a psychologist! In fact I was pretty much a ‘Jill of all trades’.
Courtney has been living in the UK for the past two and a half years now and as she started her journey into different areas I became more involved in the behind the scenes type of work at events.
In my ‘real life’ I am a Marketing Coordinator for Becker Mining Systems, who provide communication systems, ventilation equipment to the underground mining industry but in my other life I am an eventing steward, which I just love.
I suppose I started volunteering at events in 2007 and from there it has just grown. In 2009 I became an accredited steward from eventing and carriage driving and I have been lucky enough to be chief steward at many of Australia’s top events including Eventing Equestriad, Lynton Horse Trials State Championships and Queensland International 3DE along with the New Zealand event - Richfields Horse Trials.
I was accepted onto the Global Education program for stewards and this year have been invited to steward at the CHIO World Equestrian Festival in Aachen, which is running from 29th June – 8th July. This huge event encompasses all disciplines, dressage, vaulting, carriage driving, show jumping and eventing and I think at this stage I will be assisting with stewarding from in the show jumping/eventing and possibly dressage.
It was great to get dressed up for the Equestrian NSW Awards night earlier this year
I really enjoy stewarding because it provides me with the opportunity to assist riders and organizing committees by helping them run a successful event whilst at the same time ensuring that the welfare of the horse is maintained and that riders are mindful of the rules. It also gives me the opportunity to liaise with officials and have ongoing discussions about the sport in general and learn from their experiences and hopefully make lifetime contacts.
Before getting to Aachen I will be spending a week in London and plan to visit Barbury Castle Horse Trials (sadly only on dressage day) before I head off to Germany. After Aachen I will be taking Courtney around Europe (It’s her 21st birthday present from me) and hope to stop into Normandy along the way to see where WEG 2014 will be held.
Maybe this should be something I should take in my suitcase ...
My aim is to give you an insight into what is happening at Aachen and pass on any interesting things that might happen along my journey. I hope there will be time to visit the trade stands because I left home with a lot of space in my suitcase that needs to be filled! Hopefully my German and French will get me through but some of my friends seem to think I will need bail money!
By the time you read this I will be in UK and I will be looking forward to the CIC3* at Barbury Castle where I hope to catch up with some Aussies – watch this space….
