How does one repent after a lengthy holiday overseas? By organising a clinic every single weekend after one returns? That’s what defined January for me, friends! Two things really made an impression on me that first month of 2015. First of all, it was awesome to see that both of the major clinics I did (Noosa and Warwick) were completely booked out. The vibe was already there early in the year… and a good sign of things to come! Secondly, while January is usually the month when Camp Rebel has to kick things into gear, this year I was pleased to see so many of my clients’ horses already tuned up for the upcoming season. Everyone was ready to rock and roll! It is incredibly inspiring to see people so motivated and passionate about the sport!! Thanks for that boost, riders, as it helps keep me motivated and really loving what I do.
So while January saw me jumping right back into the swing of things, the highlight in February turned to my own riding and competing. One of the things that really gets me stoked is going down to New South Wales to ride and to see my old mates, others equally as passionate and driven about eventing as I am. My February trip south allowed me the opportunity to visit my mates at the lovely Werakata Farms, in the Hunter Valley, for a final tune up before the double header at Sydney International Equestrian Center (SIEC). It is a fantastic place to rest up from the long road trip from Queensland, and also to train with some of the best in the business! Tarsha Hammond helped me tune up my dressage and Andrew Barnett was super helpful in putting the finishing touches on my showjumping. These guys are “top shelf stuff” and their place is perfect for getting this task done.
As many of you know, the double header at SIEC offers us riders the perfect opportunity to take horses up the grades. I was so pleased with my three mares but I’d say the highlight of the event was my ride on a very special little mare-Belrieve Ice Queen (Telly), owned by Sophie & Phil Edwards. I felt so fortunate to be competing her at her first 2* event (CT mid-week and then a full 2* weekend). I rode Telly to a 4th place in the CT and then came 8th (out of 31 riders) over the weekend. The owners and myself were completely over the moon! On a side note, the question remains why I’m currently ‘under the influence of mares’—three at SIEC and then four this month at Warwick!! There’s a reason for everything we face?
We equestrians sometimes can be such lone wolves, but bringing together a team can be so rewarding. I wanted to mention my students/teammates who did so well at SIEC. Portia Wilson did her first 2* on TwentyTwo Red and Marijke Hartman (forever looking up that spelling, Marijke!) did her second 1* on Making News/Sydney. Both students performed superbly, were a pleasure to travel and camp with, and helped VickStar out endlessly around the float. It gives me a great sense of pride to see all of the hard work, all of the lessons and clinics, paying off.
So on into March, and I can say that I am still on a high after my results at Warwick (March 7/8). And I certainly hope that the owners of the horses that I rode, with some great results, are still feeling pretty high about their winnings! Once again my heartfelt thanks goes out to the WHT committee who are ‘dotting their i’s and crossing their t’s’ in regards to the events they offer us riders. They take their role very seriously and go above and beyond the call of duty in creating a high quality event here in Queensland. It is so admirable to see people, many of whom are not riders and actually have full time jobs in the “real” world, taking such an active role in advancing the sport of eventing. Please do take the time to thank them whenever possible, as putting on these events is no small feat! So hats off yet again to Kim, Richard, and Craig. We competitors are so grateful!
My second round of kudos goes to my very generous sponsors, whose support helps to keep me in this game: Manly Road Vet Hospital; Aitkens Saddlery; Tuff Rock Australia; Equissage; Zebramez Media; and Ozshots. I’d also like to express my gratitude to the owners of the horses that I rode at Warwick—it’s always an honour and pleasure to ride your brumbies: Vicky and Wayne Morrow, Naomi Slee, Sophie and Phil Edwards, Richard King and Kim Peard, and Meryn Cooper. And last but certainly not least, thank you to the ever-loyal support crew without whose assistance I’d be lost: “VickStar” Morrow, Lisa McGavern, Caroline Baxter, Marijke Hartman, Lizzie Brost, Naomi Slee, and Mary Kostanski Brost (from whatever corner of the globe she may be). Finally, a special thanks to my “stud man,” Phillip Edwards, who sometimes gets forgotten amongst all us rowdy females!
Perhaps the icing on the cake of this particular event was the fantastic press bestowed upon me by the Warwick Daily News. It’s pretty special to see my name in the headlines, with that title that I earned and will always keep, that of “Olympian.” The article starts with, “A mare originally bought for $1,” and proceeds to inform readers of how Telly is shaping up to perhaps be second in line for my bid for Rio next year. I see shades of my own past here what with saving Ol’ Groover from the knackery and making the decision to put him through four surgeries to remove ethmoid hematomas. But I produced in him a mount that propelled me to my first Olympics at Athens, 2004. The underdog stories, the “despite the odds” stories, do speak to all of us and become part of our legends, an important part of our folklore.
But Telly, the one-dollar dynamo, is now performing effortlessly at the 2* level. This horse truly has the goods and thanks to Sophie and Phil, I’ve had the opportunity to whisk this awesome mare into her “two star career.” And I must say that Telly’s first place at Warwick still feels “sweet as.” I would like to say that what I appreciate most about the Telly story is knowing what riding this horse, to this level, has meant to her current rider, Sophie. Soph and I have known each other for many moons, since our eventing days in the Hunter Valley, and I know she has always had her sights set on riding a 2* event. Having ridden Telly to this level, I believe it now gives Soph the confidence to pursue that dream herself. When I turn over those reins (ok so we’re sharing the reins!), I see this pair accomplishing amazing things together. This in itself gives me, as her coach, a real sense of fulfillment.
Did somebody say Olympics? Yes it is true that a proposal is now on the table, presented by Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk, to host the Olympic Games in Brisbane in the year 2028. I’ve thrown my support behind this effort to see the River City thrust onto the international stage! And please do sign me up! Would it ever be a dream come true to represent my country at an Olympic Games, competing against the best riders in the world, right here in my home state.
So as the decision makes it way through the various channels, do remember that the Olympic Games are truly an amazing BUZZ for all involved--athletes, local and foreign spectators, and just the citizens in general. It truly does foster community spirit and brings people together. When all of that energy comes together and reaches a critical mass, you realize that mountains can be moved. The vibe truly is—like no other. And wouldn’t it behoove Brisbane to be left with a world-class equestrian facility? After the 2000 Games in Sydney, our city to the south was fortunate to have been left with the gorgeous SIEC equestrian facility, which is still used, day in and day out, to this day. A facility of this nature would end up being one of the crown jewels of our metropolitan area!!
Tempus Fugit! Time really is flying this year! April will see me hitting the road again, and reconnecting with my mates down south. My trip will be chock full of clinics, my own training, and competitions. The horse box will be plugging along, with the well-travelled hats, to Newcastle, Albury, Werakata Farms, and Camden. And no trip to NSW is complete without that ever-important emotional boost from my long-time friend and Groom Extraordinaire, Lisa McGavern, in Newcastle. She lifts my spirits, entertains me on and off the equines, and helps me relieve, at least temporarily, the intensity that is MY LIFE. Like my non-horsie friend Mary declares, “You have a VERY SERIOUS JOB!” And that I do…but I would NOT have it any other way. The free entertainment though…is always very welcome!!
I conclude with the assertion that the sport which I’m involved in, is very energy intensive. I admit that it does take a village, especially to keep an upper level rider in the game, and at the top of her game. And I am aware that I get so busy and focused that sometimes my thank you’s don’t get to all the corners they need to go to. So please know that I am very gracious for all of you who support me on every level. My daily bread comes from a lot of sources! Thank you to those who follow my blog, “like” it, and write comments. These things truly do keep the fires of eventing fueled and give me the emotional boost to continue doing what I do best.
See You “Down South” folks!
Rebs
