The first big news of the month was that Stuart is back in the top 10 of the FEI World Rankings Eventing!!
Gemma at the Interschools - with saddle and without!
In June and early July we have had back to back events. At the NSW State Interschools Gemma placed in the eventing on Prado and Carlchen (4th and 2nd) and is now qualified for the Nationals. Carlchen showed his hand in the show jumping too placing 2nd in the 1.20m - ENSW is doing a fabulous job with so many events to organise and the weather not ideal. Gemma also winning the bare back AGAIN but this time at only 1.60m!
The eventing season is well underway however, with the calendar a little sporadic, there are some hectic weeks and then a lull. We have Sydney @ SIEC (25th /26th July) then a few weeks until we are out again but Stuart is being very busy with the cross country course design of Sydney. The big picture this year is Adelaide in November where we hope to run three horses; Pluto, War Hawk and Annapurna. Gemma has her sights on the 2 Star with Thai, however with HSC looming I think the reality of this will be too much (hope you are not reading this Gem!!)
Gemma at Denman Photos courtesy Main Event Photography
Straight after the Interschools Gemma went off to Denman to run Prado and Thai around the Pre-Novice with a great result for her first competition on Thai (5th) and 7th for Prado. She plans to go 1 Star on Prado at Sydney ODE and, with Quirindi CCI* under her belt, with Thai into 2 Star at Sydney with him.
Prado has been a fabulous purchase for Gemma, he has a great disposition and tries really hard every ride, a rare quality and we hope to see Prado in 2 Star very soon
The week after Denman, Stuart and Gemma headed to Quirindi and, with a cold snap over the weekend, everyone including horses/riders/officials froze!!
Stuart taking a catch ride on Shane Rose's horse "Biscuit" Shane still recovering after a terrible fall which put him out of action for many weeks. Get well Shane we all miss you 
Both of Stuart’s rides Carl and Biscuit in the CCI** performed well to take out first and second places
NEWS FLASH: Talking of Shane, both Stuart and Shane will be heading to Rio for the World Equestrian Games Test Event in August!
Annapurna flies into the water ar Quirindi
Quirindi was certainly an event that tested most, especially with the elements - the total FREEZE which brought out the winter garments, head to toe. The event was very well run and the cross country course rode very smoothly however the ground was affected with the frost. Stuart took Pluto and Anna out to start up their campaign towards Adelaide but not sure how Anna and Pluto felt about this being the right choice! It is great to have them back in competition and we’re looking forward to the next few months with some great events for them at Sydney, Equestriad, Goulburn then Adelaide.
Calendar
SYDNEY: 25/26th JULY: Pluto and Q in 2/3 star mixed class. Anna and Carl CNC***
EQUESTRIAD 5/6th SEPT: War Hawk, Pluto, Anna, Queen Mary, Carlchen (Gemma with Thai and Prado)
