AUGUST 2007 NEWS REPORT
August started with a show at Wistow. We
decided not to take Serena and were glad of that
as the surface was not so good. Stephen rode
Octavious in the Junior Class and was placed 4th
behind his number one horse Nefertiti who had
their second win in as many shows with Stephen
riding very well, particularly in the jump-off.
Traktion also jumped well and was 3rd
in the D Grade Class.
The next week we all headed off to Crystal Brook
Show. Conor again placed in the led classes.
Stephen won his third straight Junior Class
against a tough field and also competed very
well in the 120cm C&D Grade Class. Traktion was
outstanding and won the D Grade in a hot
jump-off. Kinnordy Serena jumped very well in
her class and led for most of the A&B Grade
jump-off but the great rivalry between her and
Sandstones saw Anthony Thomas win this one and
we had to settle for second place.
It was great to host Monisha & Tirtha Mondeppa
and Sue Freeman from Singapore. They were here
in Australia looking for a suitable competition
horse for Tirtha, and Sue was also on the
lookout for a couple of horses for the Bukit
Timah Saddle Club. I think they all enjoyed the
country lifestyle we have here. I think it was
treat for Tirtha to help Conor collect eggs in
the chicken pen and I know Sue and Monisha
enjoyed their stay at the Yarramalong Manor in
NSW. The trip was a success with Tirtha falling
head over heels for Kittywaike and Sue made two
great buys in Liam a Connemara cross and Tonka
an Appaloosa gelding. It was a rush to get them
all into quarantine on time for the next
shipment but we got it done. Thanks to Rod for
organising the Sydney part of our trip.
We were also pleased to host Shanker for a short
stay at the Northern Equestrian Centre. Shanker
was here as a representative from Singapore Zoo
inspecting prospective ponies for the Children’s
section of the zoo.
Next I was off to Singapore again for a clinic.
I was hosted by a very nice family just up the
road from the Singapore Polo Club. At the
clinics it was great to see the improvement in
so many. Philippa and Pedja moved up to 115cm
classes and Sarah to 125cm, Emily, Julie and
Helen to 105cm with Becky, Shane and Alice not
far away. Very pleasing results all round. It
was also great to catch up with fellow Aussie
Nick Roberts who gave a presentation. Thanks
also to Monisha and P.K. for the great dinner.
The last day in Singapore was spent giving a
clinic to the equine handlers at Singapore Zoo
which was organised by Francis Lim. Shanker
came out especially on his day off which was
greatly appreciated and I think I was able to
give all the handlers some ideas to go on with
after a session with Buddy.
Upon my return we were off to the Northern
Districts Show. On the way there it became
apparent that the Equine Influenza outbreak had
caused a “lock-down” on horse movements in New
South Wales. Initial enquiries to the South
Australian authorities found no restrictions
here but after the first event we were told to
pack up and go home as we too were about to go
into lock-down with no horses allowed to move in
SA either. We rushed home and informed the QHASA
people hiring our arena that they too had to
leave straight way. We thought ourselves lucky
when we found out that Anthony Thomas and
Afford’s were in lock-down at Wentworth Show and
unable to go anywhere! Initially there was a
ban on horse movement until Monday – but then it
was extended to the Friday. We were hopeful
that Gawler Show would go ahead, without the
World Cup of course and prepared and washed all
the horses only to find out at the last minute
the ban was again extended to the following
Monday and Gawler Show was off. Adelaide Royal
cancelled, Melbourne Royal cancelled and to make
matters our good friend Nick Rodgers who is also
part-owner of Serena arrived all the way from
Hong Kong to watch her complete at Gawler,
Adelaide Royal and the World Cup Shows. At the
same time are also informed that all the horses
purchased by our Singapore clients cannot leave
as planned even though they were quarantined
well before the outbreak in an E.I. free state,
Victoria. Day to day business is starting to
look a little grim for us with all of my lessons
and Indoor Arena bookings cancelled! We can
certainly feel for those in infected areas
interstate where the equine industry is about to
fall to its knees!
We understand the outbreaks are only in NSW and
Queensland and at this stage we can report to
friends and clients that South Australia,
Victoria and Western Australia are E.I. free. More
on the Equine Influenza next month.
On a lighter note, I promised to take Conor
fishing if Gawler Show was cancelled. The brand
new fishing rod he received from Poppa Dean at
Christmas time has never left the house. The
promise was kept with the help from experienced
fisherman Pentti. It was a pleasant day and
the three of us set off into the gulf in
Pentti’s boat. Conor had a great day and
luckily neither of us had to rely on our catch
for dinner as it was slim pickings with only a
few blue crabs for our efforts. Thank you Pentti
for making this day possible.
Last but not least, we said bon voyage to Gill
as she headed of to the US, Canada and the UK
for a well deserved holiday. Kee and David
Cronin have offered her a bed in New York so it
will be nice to catch up on their news when Gill
gets home (not that she has a home at the moment
ha ha!). Seriously, we hope she has a great
time.
