Alex and Faye.
Time just flew by here in Welly Land. I feel like I just got here and it’s already over. It’s been a fantastic few months reconnecting with old friends and making new ones. I’ve had a blast working with my youngsters and developing them can’t wait to bring them out next season.
This has been my first real season competing with Vitall and It felt amazing to finally ride down centreline at international competitions with him. We have made great progress. As you go in the ring, you learn little things that you need to work on you truly find out where your strength and weakness are. The biggest thing for me getting back into the show ring is learning to really make use of the arena – really using my corners to set up each movement, using the corners to get him that extra bit more through in the flexions etc. In the Grand Prix things come up so quickly and some things feel like they take forever. For example, the canter tour whizzes by and you have to make sure you use the ring and set yourself up and the final centreline always feels like it takes 20 minutes to get down, but that is my favourite part of the test where you can just sit and enjoy and breathe.
Faye and Cooper grooming each other.
The transition from under 25 Grand Prix to senior GP is still a bit of a jump. You need to put a lot more together.
I decided not to pursue WEG. As a team, we are still too green in Grand Prix and Vitall needs more strength. We hope to come out swinging for 2015. We will stay in Florida for the summer, continue showing in national shows smooth out the rough edges.
I have Sterling Cooper a seven-year-old coming out at PSG. A six-year-old, two five-year-olds – my girls Fayamante and Fridita – for young horse classes.All very different types, personalities.
If any young rider would like to spend a season, as a groom working student for the 2015 Florida season, call me or email me all my info is on my website. You will get beach time, and an experience of a lifetime.
Alex and Oslo.
It’s a long journey to Grand Prix, takes a lot of patience. Once you get there it’s exhilarating. Worth every second of the six years to get there.
I’m looking forward to spending the summer in Wellington and can’t wait until next season. Wellington is a fantastic horse community. There is lots of fun things to do on my off time when I’m not at the barn the beaches are close by which feel like paradise. There is great shopping and restaurants. I’ve joined a fantastic gym with fun fitness classes. I’m trying to stick to a personal fitness routine.
