APRIL 2008 NEWS REPORT

April got underway with the State Showjumping Championships at Strathalbyn. I’ll get the negatives out of the way first.  The camping facilities certainly left a lot to be desired and the venue managers should be ashamed of the state of the amenities. The toilets and shower facilities were a disgrace, un-clean, no toilet paper, lights and hot water service not working. There were gaping holes in the roof of the men’s block and a huge mess all over the floor. The stables are run down and in poor repair with broken rails, holes in the roof and lights not working. Nick Crowe and I spent several hours getting the hot water operating so everyone could take a warm shower - and we eventually had success around midnight on the Thursday.  We tried to sort out the lights including replacing the light globes but as neither of us held an electricians licence we could not sort it out.  Thank God for torches! 

On a more positive note, the EFA Showjumping Committee did a fantastic job organising a “first class” event and were very professional looking after competitors, sponsors and spectators. The surface was fantastic to jump on. The new showjumping equipment was used for the first time and was incredible.  The whole thing was well organised and really made the event sellable to sponsors and promoted good jumping.

John Willshire built very well throughout the entire show with testing, but fair tracks. This I am happy to put in print, particularly after John had a go at me one evening as he had heard I was not happy with the courses.  NOT TRUE.

Stephen had a good show with El Aynoui, placing 4^th in the Young Rider Champs and a very good 2^nd in the State Junior Championships.  He also rode Dejavu and Trax very well when I was in the other ring. Traktion had a couple of very good placings included the C Grade Championship which was around 135cm in the  jump-off.

Kinnordy Serena travelled well to run 2^nd on the first day making her A Grade.  I was a little concerned on day 2.  I thought we may not have had enough preparation with only 3 starts since her break; however she was great in the State Championships over a big course. One rail down early in the first round (my fault) otherwise rising to the standard and occasion very well to be 4^th alone on 4 faults over the 2 rounds.  Thanks to Holly for taking these great pictures in the main class.

The next day I was off to hospital for my operation. It was awful when I first woke up after being on the table for 8 hours, however after the 7 day stay in hospital the improvement has been rapid and I am well on my way to recovery. Thanks to every one for the well wishes – it does make a difference.

Softly has finally arrived much to Anne Day’s (and our) relief. I am really excited about her.  She by Lux Z out of an Imperial Seal mare and am sure that she will go very well next season. Tra La La by Trak also arrived.  This is a very nice mare which is unbroken at 5 years of age – but we intend to break her in ourselves. She has settled well and is another of the Nick Rogers horses.

The Anthony Thomas run Arthurton show was a great success and Stephen was again consistent placing with El Aynoui in both his classes.

The Cronin Family in New York sent us a nice letter via email to update us on everything happening there. Kee is enjoying her work with RDA and David will soon be changing vocation.  Dylan will be off to boarding school and has been accepted into his first choice. Emma has just started playing softball and Charlie has to decide which College she wants to go to.  On the horse side, Charlie and Janeils Encore are blitzing the other competitors and she had huge success at a recent three-week showjumping competition in Florida where she got reserve champion.  Well done!!!

I was not long out of hospital and drove the truck to NDSJC show at Mallala. Stephen rode Trax very well as he did Dejavu. He placed with Dejavu in the 110cm Junior class which was great to see. Dane the 4yo T/Bred had his first outing and was well behaved and shows great promise. He jumped in 2 classes up to 80cm indoors.

I have managed to start riding again, albeit a little wobbly. Under 2 weeks after my operation so going very well there. I have also managed to give a few lessons.

Thanks to Nick Crowe who came out to see me soon after I arrived home from hospital. We went out for lunch and it was great to spend some time with a good mate.

Softly has been very exciting to work with and even has Morya’s approval (not easy to get). The other new mare Tee (Tra La La) has been going well and Stephen has already been on her.

Thanks to Tim Clark we now have a new (second hand) ute. We are very grateful to him for giving us the loan of car to tow with while he found this one. We buy all our vehicles through Tim and recommend him to anyone wanting to buy a car!!

 

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