JANUARY 2008 NEWS REPORT

I must apologise for taking so long to get this report out.   We have been so busy lately that we seem to be getting further and further behind with our “office” duties. 

This month started with Stephen and I heading off to Mt Gambier for the Junior Showjumping weekend.  The weather was unusually hot for that part of the State with temperatures reaching 40 degrees on both days.  Thankfully our new air conditioner in the truck was put to good use.  I stayed with John and Charlma Phillips on their farm and we had a great meal (and a drop of red) with Dean and daughter Allanah Johnson at my favourite restaurant “The Barn”. The Junior show was great and although Trax was injured on the way down, Heart of England looked promising and Stephen was consistent with Nefertiti without winning a class. I was pleased to see Allanah improving on her new horse and Georgie Boyd was again in good form.  For our trip home we had an extra horse, the Phillips’ Caveton Park Genesis.  This exciting youngster with an exceptional temperament had some work at our place straight from the breaker and then went home for a spell. I am really looking forward to working this one.

Morya, Conor and I got the chance to head off to the Riverland for a weekend away.  The three of us stayed in a luxury cabin at the Berri Holiday Park and spent most of the time with Conor in the pool. We did take a boat cruise on the River Murray and spent a couple of hours the Reptile Park (which was very run-down) in Renmark, and on the last day watched the speedboat racing at Martin’s Bend. With seven weeks off school for the Christmas break, it was nice for us to do something that Conor enjoyed – and he certainly had a great time.

Northern Districts Showjumping Club held their first show at our place and it was nice to see such a huge gathering of competitors at the first official show since EI began. There were nearly 100 horses entered and it was a huge success. Our horses jumped well but even though we had a home ground advantage, they did not bring home any “blue” ribbons.  We hope NDSJC come back again sometime soon.

The nice horse that Belinda Lindh had sent to work whilst she awaits the arrival of her new baby turned out to be quite a jumper. PK (Belmar Sin Shifter) jumped extremely well at the NDSJC show and Stephen was quite excited that he got the ride on him.  Belinda is going to have a lot of fun with this one!

It was great to have Allanah Johnson and her horse stay with us for a few days between competitions.  She has great support from her mum and Dad and her father Dean is always on hand to make the trips from Kimba in country SA to showjumping competitions in Adelaide and beyond. Congratulations to Allanah for winning the Young Citizen of the Year Award as part of this year’s Australia Day celebrations.  Allanah is a wonderful young lady in every respect and a credit to her family.  We congratulate you!

The EFA Horseman’s Night of the Year is an annual event held to recognise the success our leading horses and riders in all of the disciplines and is something we always look forward to.  Stephen sat with the other Young Riders, while Morya, Gill, Jason and I were seated with other showjumping friends.  The highlight of the evening was Stephen winning the Young Rider Scholarship Award for Showjumping.  He spoke extremely well in response to winning the award and as well as thanking us, he gave special thanks to his Mum and Dad (Julie and Richard) who were there on the night too. We were all very proud of him. 

On the home front, another of the Phillips’ promising young horses, Caveton Park Gambrinus also returned from his spell at Mt Gambier.  I look forward to again working with this young warmblood who not only shows he can jump but has movement ‘to die for”. 

As well as sourcing ponies for Singapore Zoo I have been I have been following up an order for small goats, coloured sheep and rabbits for their children’s zoo which is a little bit different from what I am use to but – but non the less important.  Hong Kong has now started to allow horses in from Australia – but still no word on the shipping of horses to Singapore!!  Kitty and Genesis are still here at the NEC patiently waiting to join their new owners.

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Photos to come..