Let's start 2022 with a good result from 2021! Gemma and Diabolo's cross country ride secured them second place in the CCN4*-S at Equestriad in December
It has felt like the longest summer break ever! With almost no National competitions in 2021 (apart from one major one in Tokyo!) we are itching to get our horses out and remind them of what they and we love most …. EVENTING.
We must admit that we were pleased to see the end of 2021 but, not to dwell on 'pandemics' plus 'Olympic failures', we are now looking forward with a positive mindset, reminding ourselves how extremely lucky we have been in the past with such amazing horses plus such great results along the way!
We did manage to get one competition in at the very end of last year and it was a scorcher at Equestriad where the temperatures were in the high 30’s. A bit of a shock to the system for Stuart, fresh home from overseas where he was coaching his students, while Gemma rode Diabolo in the CCN4* to take second place, plus Be My Daisy took fifth in the CCN3*-S.
After putting 2021 to bed, Gemma and her sister Jaymee headed overseas for some R&R (after holding the fort at Tinney Eventing while Stuart and I were away so much in 2021) and had great fun in the sun, travelling to Costa Rica and Mexico, but not without catching Covid!
Talking of travel, with the World Championships at Pratoni, Rome looming in 2022, Gemma is planning to take Diabolo overseas for a few months to compete after doing some events in the first half of the season at home in Australia (listen to Gemma’s interview at Equestriad here) while Elisabeth Brinton’s lovely horse Celebration (Charlie) is also heading overseas to Florida
We’re not absolutely certain yet which horses Gemma will take to Europe, apart from Tim Game’s Diabolo of course, and, as always in the Covid-era, things are very flexible! But Gemma will continue to campaign Be My Daisy in 2022 while Dalenna Daydream, who took fourth place in the CCI3*-L at Sydney International last year, will be campaigned by both Gemma and Stuart.
Competition will be starting up soon here in Australia and it starts with EXTRAVAGANZA plus EVENTING at Wallaby Hill on the 12th & 13th February in Robertson, NSW. Always a few fun outfits on show at this one!
Fancy dress fun at Wallaby Hill in 2018
