Family time with Natalie

It’s hard to believe that we are already in another year. Christmas was great except for those Christmas kilos, which I am now desperately trying to shed so I can fit into my competition gear by February! December is my favourite time of year in which I get to eat, drink and have the time to spend with my family. I finally became an Auntie in 2012 with my niece, Ella, being born. Despite my brother’s best efforts in her not being horsey, I think she clearly loves being on a pony (Mitzy) at seven months old – see photo below!

Whilst everyone else seems to be having human babies, I have had a few of the four legged kind, which at the moment suits me fine. I have the most adorable Palomino Colt by Finch Farm Style, which was born on cross country day at Adelaide.

   My latest Pally foal – Nugget

My other little colt, Boots, (see photo below) is by Luxury Ego Z out of my Palomino Cool Cat mare. He is also super cute, very athletic and as always I can’t wait to see what they grow into.

Currently I am sitting in my caravan, which used to be my tack room and is now a tea room since my shed has been built. I am keeping an eye on the Jugiong/Yass fires. We are on the opposite side of town and approx 30km from the danger zone. There are a few of my clients' properties burnt and some evacuated but as far as I know all the horses are fine. However, with the winds and amount of dry fuel around, it’s always scary to think that it could easily be you so a fire plan is extremely important.

At the moment we don’t have a house on the property and live 20 minutes away in Dalton. This has been a pain for a few years now, especially in these situations or getting up for a competition!

Good news is, my partner and I are buying our next door neighbour's place. It is another 45 acres with a small, but neat little house, which will eventually be a groom's house! It will be very exciting for us to have our horses in our backyard again and with more acreage means more babies! Hooray!