FEBRUARY REPORT 08

Yuri Hirayama and Nicola from Singapore came over to Adelaide to look at one of Helen Donoghue’s horses “Donlea Rare Moment”.  This mare is very well educated and experienced at travelling to and competing at big shows with atmosphere.

As Yuri has only ridden ‘school horses’ she is a little inexperienced and nervous riding something else - but they did suit each other.  With this mare’s experience she could teach Yuri quite a bit and I am sure they could form a great partnership. Yuri will talk it over with her Parents before making a decision.

Rod Brown and Mikano visited us at the NEC to inspect and trial some showjumpers. We saw some very nice horses – Kym Mosey’s Google was particularly impressive.

Next I headed off overseas for some coaching clinics.  First was Hong Kong – and it was very nice to meet Berndt who has just been appointed as Chief Riding Instructor taking over Gina’s old job.  Berndt is an experienced Event Rider from Germany and without a doubt a very qualified, professional horseman with a wealth of experience.  He is keen to put his stamp on the equestrian scene in Hong Kong and I wish him every success.

There was a lot of interest in the Hong Kong clinics and they were very well attended. Mildred and Nick were great hosts during my stay in Hong Kong and thank you to Gina Shellum for putting me up for one night too.

In Singapore it was thanks to Moira Lynham who put me up during my stay and it was nice to get to know the rest of the family a better. It was nice to meet Pedja and Gena’s new son Alex as well as Pedja’s mum for the first time.  I have such a busy social calendar in Singapore and look forward to catching up with everyone.  This time I shared a meal with the Medappa’s and the Harayda’s.

I am pleased to report the riding in both Hong Kong and Singapore continues to improve. It would be great if we only had something to aim for like we have here such as the squad for the Pony Club National’s here in Australia. Hong Kong are thinking of sending one of their best riders to Australia to do shows and clinics with us - which is a great start.   As for Singapore, I am keen for us all to make plans for some K.L. competitions and future SEA and ASIAN Games. 

Whilst I was away Alex Phillips and Brett came and stayed for a few days.  It was nice that Alex could ride a couple of horses that belong to her family CP Genisis (Oscar) and CP Gambrinus (Moe) as well as catch up with Morya and Conor.  We don’t get to see much of Alex these days with her University commitments in Melbourne.  Hopefully I will be home next time they visit!

On my return home it was straight to the Show at Metro.  Stephen was trying out a new horse Elanyoui which belongs to Bianca Gilcrest (which his mum and dad ended up purchasing for him to ride).  While she is not the perfect horse for Stephen, she does have a lot of experience in bigger classes and can be handed down to Stephen’s sisters to ride later on.  At the show I got to ride a nice young mare owned by Sue Brown. We ended up buying her together with Nick Rodgers and Vanessa Day.  The horses all jumped well at the show including Belinda Lindh’s PK and Stephen won a Junior Class with Nefertiti.

Nick Rogers arrived from Hong Kong for a 10 day visit which included some riding and “horse hunting”. It was great to have him working some of the younger ones here too.  During his stay I headed off to Rod Brown’s in Sydney to meet up with Anne and Vanessa Day. Anne and husband Christopher  ended up buying a very nice mare “Lolita” by Lux Z out of an Imperial Seal mare.  I think it will be a great horse and we are very glad to have Anne and Christopher on board as “owners”. Christopher’s father (and Vanessa’s late husband) really helped me get started with the horses at the Northern Equestrian Centre.  It will be really nice to have more of the family involved. Day after Day after Day.  That was a bit of a joke Phillip once shared with me!

Lessons at Tessa’s place on Tuesdays got underway again and have been well patronised. I think Octavious has now settled in well and although he has a foot abscess he will soon be out and about with Annabel.

Angaston Show was a busy affair with Stephen placing on both Nefertiti and Elanyoui.  Traktion jumped really well as did Trax, both enjoying the bigger courses. It was PK’s last show with us too.  Thanks to Sam Goddard for helping out with the horses on the Saturday whilst Gill was at the Clipsal Car Racing. Luck we had Nick around as well so Sunday was not too hard to get the horses ready for their classes.

Once again no movement for the horses going to Singapore – even though there have been no reported new cases of EI in Australia for nearly three months. I cannot think what the hold-up is!

It was nice to receive a call from the Cronin family in New York.  Charlie placed 3^rd with Janeils Encore at a big show in Florida. We are really glad to hear that they are going so well. I bet there will be no stopping them now.

Thanks to Pentti for driving the truck to a couple of shows whist I was away and well wishes to Tad McLean who suffered a broken ribs from a kick from one of our horses through the rails of the warm up ring at Mallala.  Stephen and Morya were quite upset when it happened but luckily Tad was back in the saddle in no time and was in good spirit saying it is just one of those things that happen around horses.

On the home front it is nice to have Kinnordy Serena back in the stables again getting fit for the shows.

Last but not least - Congratulations on the great news Nick and Holly.  About time!

 

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