Cole and I jump down the bank
Well the 2012 competition year is done and dusted for me! My last event was Virginia Horse Trials held in Lexington, VA. VAHT is run by an English guy some of you may remember by the name of Brian Ross who, along with his wife Penny, run a pretty tight ship. I ended the season well by winning the top class aboard the Thoroughbred Collection Pass. My other Thoroughbred, Civil Liberty, was seventh in the same class. In fact all my five horses won ribbons and I had the distinction of being the only rider to show jump and cross country all of their horses clear!
Liberty and I jumping out of the first water
The order of go for my horses for the day
Eventing at this time of the year in this area can be a lottery. Sometimes the weather is nice (it was this time), sometimes it's horrendous! For example last year … With a snow storm quickly advancing the organisers brought forward the cross country times (for the upper levels) a whole DAY! Then the storm hit and we woke up to six inches of snow on top of the cross country jumps. All well and good for my higher level horses, they were snuggly in their stables, but what about the babies?! I'm not sure if anyone has had to ride preliminary or pre novice in the snow, but let me tell you it's terrifying! I think I'd prefer to do it on the upper level horses! Fortunately, as I said, this year we were treated to perfect weather.
Cold day for two Aussie dogs
At this time of the year I get time to take a breather review the year. The first thing I notice is that my barn is beginning to resemble Australia, there are three of us now! Plus we added a Canadian. And right now there's an Irishman (Eric Smiley) teaching a clinic in my indoor, the poor Americans are starting to feel like a minority! Rhiannon Bosma (Sydney) and Ali Pettit (Morpeth) have been having a great time getting to know the system here and accessing some world class training. I also did some quick maths on the year now finished (and when I say quick, I actually mean slow, maths is a very weak point for me): I competed 12 different horses a total of 79 times throughout 7 states and into Canada at all levels through to advanced. I also competed in 25 different showjumping classes through to mini prix. I travelled 75000 kms. I drank 953 Sugar Free Red Bulls and according to the data on my iPhone I spent 12 days and 21 hours talking!
Cole and I jumping a table
With the competitions over I look forward to bringing you some insight into the greatest Ameican holiday of them all, Thanksgiving! Just think Boxing Day without the cricket!
Grooms and owners including Ali to my left and Rhiannon to my right
