Quercus ODE Photo courtesy Juliette Sherrard
Everything is going as planned... When does that ever happen?! *runs around doing a happy dance*
Another month, another blog... And what a month it's been! Let's start off with the most exciting news... Sizzle and I are qualified for Melbourne 1*!! Wooooo!!! I am so proud of the little guy I could explode!
We attended the Quercus ODE in the 1* and he was very good considering he wasn't his usual self. He was third after dressage (the test had quite a lot of room to improve too) then clear XC but a lot of time due me taking my time to get a very technical course right. Then a couple of rails SJ which were his rider’s fault! We ended up 7th which was disappointing but, oh well!!
Then last weekend we attended the Northern Eventing championships which were held at "Fairlands". This course is one of my favourite Tasmanian courses and has recently had a revamp due to PCAT holding state trials at the venue. So I was very keen to have a go. Sizzle did a much better dressage test for 66% and 2nd but again I felt that he had the potential to do much better (if only we were allowed to carry a go stick! He was so lazy!!).
Wheeeeeeeeee!! Sizzle making a big leap over the 1* ski at the Northern Champs! Photo: Juliette Sherrard
He then jumped clear around a fun but challenging XC but his silly rider forgot how to gallop so incurred 14 time. Then he jumped brilliantly SJ with just one unlucky rail at the first fence. But after that he jumped one of the best rounds he has ever done, really starting to show off his scope and shape over the fence! Our next event will be the State eventing champs which will be down at the Tasmanian Equestrian Centre in Lauderdale. I am really looking forward to put everything I have learnt from the last two events into action and have a good go at it! Then I will be heading over the strait again to do Woady Yallock HT then Melbourne!! That's if I can get on the boat of course...
Currently I am a bit nervous as we are on a wait list and it is still 2 months out from the trip!! Eeekkk!!! Lots of pestering and begging needed I think!! Damn you caravan people for taking up all the room!! It's times like this when you really do feel isolated when living down here!
Bethany and Ruby also competed at the Northern Champs and did very well with both winning their inter school classes. Emily has also been doing well in her chosen sport, Polocrosse. She played exceptionally well on her young pony "Booza" to help her team win the C grade final at the Northern Under lights carnival
And I have a new job (no longer working at the berry farm thank goodness!!) and am still teaching and riding flat out. No rest for the wicked!
Until next time,
Alice 
Photo courtesy Juliette Sherrard
