November / December 2012
- End of term commitments and a busy horse show schedule has kept me from keeping up to date with our news so I will endeavour to catch up before Santa arrives.
- CK has had a very busy, productive and enjoyable 2012. Assisting a fantastic group of clients with their equestrian goals, starting a lot of horses on their respective journeys, completing demanding university commitments (Sam, Emma, Giorga and Shelley!), enjoying successful competition results, witnessing the wonderful progression of horses and riders and being part of a group of teachers involved in innovation and change has kept us, not only very busy, but extremely proud and fortunate.
- Great to have Ashley Catt come and stay for a week with us. She now has Billy and they are forming a wonderful partnership. In any case, our article will help you figure it out. She is at University in Bathurst and she and her sister Bec are training young horses in between Uni commitments. Both very talented riders and it is a real pleasure to have them come for training holidays.
- Jump club training day saw Ashley and Billy enjoy a very productive and successful day in the 85cm and 95cm rounds. I took Jess and she was a real little champ going round very sweetly in the 85cm & 95cm rounds for one so green. Sam also had a great day with James’ Conman and no one could believe she had not jumped for some years. It is great to have Sam assisting us again with horses and clients. Emma took her boys for some quiet training & little Oliver is showing considerable talent. Giorga was the real hero on the day as she went in her first ever 1.10 and negotiated all the difficult sections like a real pro. A wonderful achievement.
- John, Emma and Giorga headed down to Wodonga World Cup Show and what a great weekend they had. Emma and Chesty came 3rd in the prestigious Betty McVean Grand Prix and went very well in the Indoor World Cup also. Chesty is improving with every start and Emma is gaining very valuable Grand Prix miles (again on a horse she has made herself!!!) I also received a call from John telling me that Giorga had “won the World Cup”!? She not only went well in the Maiden D grade but also jumped a very credible round in the D Grade Championship!! And only the week before had been in her first ever 1.10. What a fantastic result – go girls and I probably should also mention the coach. John is a super coach and has the ability to forsee horse and rider problems and fix them before they become apparent as well as give riders a real belief in their ability to complete the task.
- Whilst the girls were at Wodonga, Rhi, Bec, Erin and Robin went to Jump Club with Robin winning with Moose. Congratulations Robin and nice to see you having a well earned ride yourself considering you are in such demand looking after most of the competing showjumping horses. Thank you.
- We welcomed back the White family with 6 horses for a couple of weeks training and preparation for Jump Club Championships. We had a really fun time and Anna enjoyed a very successful first Jump Club Championships with a win and two 2nds in her classes.
- Jump Club Championships – we had 16 horses at the Jump Club Championships , so John and I were on the ground trying to be in a few places at once!! Everyone had a great weekend, gaining wins and places as well as valuable jumping miles at a super venue with, great courses, good ground, management, stewards and not as bad a weather as was predicted. Chesty jumped super in the Grand Prix and was unlucky to have a rail in the jump off to come 6th. A good warm up for SIEC the next weekend.
- SIEC – this weekend happened to be a very busy weekend for us all, with competition, weddings and big birthdays to attend. Emma was bridesmaid for her friend’s wedding on Saturday and I went to a school friend’s birthday at Whale Beach on Sunday. I was receiving updates on the progress of Emma, Craig, Giorga and Bec whilst enjoying a wonderful lunch at Moby’s overlooking the beach. YUM! Emma contested the World Cup and came a credible 10th place. Chesty handled the course extremely well and Emma did a good job for her limited experience at that level. Giorga, Bec and Craig had a good weekend with their troups.
- Everyone now is gearing up for the wonderful Bega and Cooma showjumping shows, in between celebrating Christmas with family and friends and of course the …… Egg nog, Ham, Turkey etc etc and a visit from Santa!
- We would like to wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Successful 2013.
