Stuart and Annapurna at Goulburn
We certainly did not have time to relax and reflect on our very pleasing result from WEG. After a few days in Europe we returned to a very organised yard with all the horses fit and ready for us to compete - not sure if we were ready though!
A little hazy on our return with jet lag plus slight exhaustion, for whatever reason every weekend since our return we have chosen to compete!! First up was show jumping with the team and all went surprising well with no rails all day. Then dressage for Annapurna (Anna) and Medusa with Karen; Medusa had a win and was second in her two novice tests while Anna showed a bit too much energy with mistakes in her protocol 3 star test, hoping her energy levels may be better for Canberra.
Canberra Horse Trials was the first event for months for us so Stuart took it easy on all his horses, looking for solid dressage tests and clear rounds which he managed with the imported horses. Anna was still a little fresh in the dressage went double clear with a quiet run on the cross country to place fourth in the CIC***
Then it was Gemma's turn. Certainly her riding skills have come along in the past 12 months, gaining her father's trust she has been slotted in to help prepare our horses for the future. Taking the horses jumping, she rarely goes without a place in 1.10/20m - It is so good for all the horses to go to other events besides horse trails. It looks like a great team now with a rider in all three disciplines! With Stuart busy doing clinics on the weekends it is a great combination right now.
Gemma on Kathy Ward and Peter O'Connell's Queen Mary (above) for a 4th in the 1.20m and the Huskinson's War Hawk (below) to win the 1.10m and 5th in the 1.20m
The outings have certainly paid off with Stuart taking all the horses to the NSW State Championships at Lynton, Goulburn the following week. War Hawk certainly was our nicest surprise with a third in his first 3 star (CIC) and Anna finally showing the perfect amount of energy, winning the CCI***. Mary was 7th in the CIC* and Medusa 5th in the EV105. Medusa is now officially part owned by Tim Game.
Just reading over the past few paragraphs, it was forgotten that somewhere in there that Gemma also took Carlchen to the NSW State PC ODE Championships representing Zone 23 at Albury. Karen was the team manager for the top grades - the weekend was a huge success with Zone 23 winning Zone Championship and Gemma was second in her A Grade class. The four riders that clinched the zone to win the Championship were all students of Karen and Stuart.
Well done girls ( L-R) Macy, Gemma, Alice and Rachel
With only one event for us left this season at Wallaby Hill I feel a long well deserved break coming to Tinney Eventing! However before that break Stuart and Karen will be at EQUITANA for CopRice and our sponsors so come to see Stuart, get a picture and a signed poster - keep in touch with our face book page Tinney Eventing for where he will be and times. PLUS, Stuart will be riding in WA's most prestigious 'Eventing in the Park'. There is no Adelaide for us this year as a competitor but Stuart will be there as the Western Australian coach for his students that he coaches.
Just need to remind you all that summer appears to be coming early this year and we have had to switch our ECOMIST on already to ward off those flies and mosquitoes so maybe get your refills ordered now! Plus if you don't have ECOMIST- you and your horses deserve a summer with no flies in the barn (or your entertaining area). Believe us, we could not operate without our ECOMIST.
Calendar:
NOV: 1st/2nd: WALLABY HILL: Stuart - Queen Mary and My Thai CNC**, Medusa CNC*. Gemma: Carlchen EV105.
NOV: 14th-16th AUSTRALIAN 3DE (Adelaide) Coaching only.
NOV: 21st-23rd EQUITANA (Melbourne Showground) Sponsor Stands.
DEC: 14th EVENTING in the PARK – Western Australia (guest rider)
All the best, TE
PS: Pluto has arrived safely on Australian soil and will be home with us Saturday 1st November.
