Wonder if footballers play in this? Yes, it was wet underfoot ....................
It may be un-Australian to schedule a Squad Eventing clinic on Grand Final weekend in Melbourne...the weather gods were certainly of that opinion and did all they could to put us off!
Grids galore
Saturday was dressage with Scarlett Blakely and Catherine Davies and showjumping with the "grid master " Adam Wootten. Rain, hail and icy winds were laughed off by our intrepid riders and coaches, (it was noted that Catherine 'miked up' her riders and stayed in her car...but she was SICK).
It is important to school in these conditions because of course at an event we are expected to ride in them...tips on how to avoid coming up the centre line in travers on your prelim horse because it's raining were particularly helpful.
Saturday night was roast dinner at the Houghton's, floor heating, Burghley Horse Trials highlights on the tele and planning groups for the next day.
Issy Walsh finally gets to enjoy some sunshine
Sunday had the added element of cross country with Emily Anker on 'little Wandin'. This gave the riders, especially those with young horses, a chance to school a huge variety of fences under Em's watchful eye. Will Enzinger joined Scarlett for dressage and Adam took his grids to a whole new level. Thankfully we had sunshine.
We may try to fit in a tune up for riders going to Adelaide in November but our next big thing is organising for the Equissage Young Riders Squad to attend the Master Class and meet with Mary King while she here in Melbourne for Equitana!
Pip Durban through the water
Lucy Kolomanski
Emily McQueen
Photos and report thanks to Janet and Issy Houghton
