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It's been a history making first half of the season for the team at Fenlands with the obvious highlight being part of the team that earned New Zealand its first ever team spot for the Olympic Games. The fact that I was part of this team on my first ever dressage horse that I had trained through the grades from Novice level myself and on a horse that at best wasn't made for the job is a source of great pride.
Unfortunately it also became clear on that trip that although he was a fantastic team horse& trailblazer for the qualifying show, he wasn't going to make the grade at International Championship show level and to ask him to try and make the high standard set by the New Zealand Olympic committee would be cruel of a horse who had given his heart and soul to achieve what he already had done. Therefore the decision was made to retire Gosh from Grand Prix competition. Since being home he has had a well deserved month in the paddock and is now back in work in his secondary career as Young Rider mount for Anya Noble. I' sure he has a great competition career ahead of him in this role - he in not ready to fully retire to paddock ornament just yet!!
This has left the path open for Da Vinci to shine. He acquitted himself well at the World Dressage Challenge at just his second ever start at Prix St Georges. He has also taken to the show ring with wides at every show as well as carrying me to the necessary rider wins to qualify me for the Rider of the Year title at Horse of the Year. We are intending to show him in both disciplines down there providing the timetable allows and I can swing it by my trainer...
Grafenburg has also been out and about in the show ring, the dressage arena and also on the show jumping circuit proving just how versatile this lovely young horse is. Fingers crossed he manages to qualify for HoY in the time left that he has.
New to the stable is Boxer (show name unconfirmed). He belongs to Ang Kelly of Rotorua who has kindly given me the ride on this lovely young Anamour to campaign through the grades. He is as yet very green but is show talent& temperament for the job so far.
Lastly I have made the choice to quit my part time 'day job' as a nurse in the Emergency Department and concentrate on the horses full time. I'm looking forward to the challenges ahead.
We're currently enjoying a short Christmas break with the family at Fenlands but will be back at work with bells on come Boxing Day. January already has every weekend full and February is not far behind!
Happy holidays to everyone and looking forward to a fantastic 2012.
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