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Riding high after an exciting few weeks!
20th March 2012
Wow - what a few weeks it's been!
March started off with a very exciting trip to Hamilton to pickup our new float from JC Trailers! Unfortunately it was also the same weekend that the crazy weather bomb hit the country, so we had to wait until the winds eased in the afternoon until we made the trip over the Kaimais. I was like a big kid, so excited and wishing the morning would pass faster so we could get on over there and see the float for the first time!
Well the wait was definitely worth it... I was so excited when we arrived at the factory to see my shiny new float all ready to go! John and the team have done such an awesome job and it's so easy for me to use with the custom handles, step and mounting system, as well as their 'standard' features like the fully sealed rubber floor and walls, good height tie-up points and storage system in the front. It really is totally accessible for me which gives me a real feeling of empowerment. Such a small thing such as being able to get in and out of the float on my own, without having to wait or ask for help to lift me in and out makes such an amazing difference to my independence. Thank you so much once again to Eleos Trust and JC Trailers for making this possible.
A few days later we were packing up the cars and float for our trip to Hastings. After a very smooth trip down and pitching our Equip Outdoors tent and setting up our temporary home, the first weekend was the Para Equestrian National Championships where we rode three tests over three days. Tech was an absolute star, so relaxed and attentive! Becky (my groom/warm up rider) was unfortunately out of action after a fall from a horse she was schooling the week before, which meant I needed to find a last-minute rider to be my warm up ride before my tests. Huge thanks to Chelsea for stepping up to the challenge and doing such a great job (after meeting and riding Tech for the first time only one day before the competition started!). We achieved some really good scores over the weekend, and ended with a bang with a new personal best of 70% for our freestyle. So proud of my boy!
After a few days R&R in the Napier RDA paddock (thanks guys!), we took Tech back to the Hawkes Bay showgrounds for Horse of the Year. The atmosphere was huge but Tech took it all in his stride as usual. After a Savvy Touch treatment to soothe any aches and pains he had from traveling and competing the weekend before, we rode another three para tests over the busy HOY week. We scored over 65% in all of our tests, and Tech was once again a little star! We had some really positive comments from the judges and after a year of very hard work, we've made huge progress and I'm very excited about our future prospects together. Look out world! :o)
So that marks the end of our season, and the end of mine and Tech's first year together. We've both come so far and have achieved so much in a relatively short space of time. I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has made this year possible for Tech and I: my family, support team, sponsors, supporters and everyone else who has helped us along the way. We couldn't do it without you and I feel very lucky to have you all on board as part of my team.
Now it's time for a well-earned break (well, a week off in the paddock for Tech anyway!) before we get underway with our autumn/winter training so we can start next season with a bang!
Check out my photos page for more photos of my awesome new float!
Happy New Year!
16th February 2012
Yep I know it's a bit late - sorry!
We've had a busy start to the year with a full-on training plan to work on the judges feedback from our last competition, and get ready for both the Para Equestrian Nationals and Horse of the Year competitions in March. I'm riding 3-4 times per week which is hard for me in terms of strength and stamina, and I get quite tired sometimes but it's something I have to work through to get the amount of training in we need in order to ride at our best! Plus it gives me a good standing when we have 3 days of consecutive riding at our competitions.
Tech is coming on in leaps and bounds and we're slowly but surely building him up and getting him to where he needs to be. (So much so that he's gone up a whole rug size!) Becky has been working him most days and he's looking and working really well. He's such a funny boy - he gives Becky a run for her money sometimes when she's asking something new or hard for him to do (that's the stubborn clydie side coming out of him hehe!) but he's always very sweet and obliging for me - such a good lad! (Poor Becky gets all the hard jobs!)
Unfortunately Betty Blundell, my awesome coach who took me from riding for therapy to becoming a competitive para dressage rider, and who has been with me and Tech right from the start, has had to take a break from coaching us. I would just like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to you Betty - without you I wouldn't be where I am today. We've been through heaps together in the last few years, including different horses, locations, and crews, our first competitions, improving scores as well as a couple of falls from both of us! I'm so grateful for everything you have taught me. You are a true inspiration and you will always be an important part of my team!
So enter stage left; Anna McIntyre who I met at last year's Horse of the Year! Anna has always been very supportive and I really admire and respect her as a rider and trainer. Anna has been coaching both me and Becky (plus Tech of course!) since December and we're going great guns! I just love the way that she teaches and is refining our training so it's the best it can be for the unique way that I ride. Thanks so much Anna - you have done so much for all of us already and I love having you as part of my team!
As well as our dressage training, we've been working on de-sensitising Tech to random things that could be scary for him while we're out and about. We took him to Wright's Farm to take him through the obstacle course and at first he was quite nervous about it all and was literally jumping over the tarp on the ground that he was supposed to walk over because he just wasn't sure about it. Luckily Becky was on board at this point! It didn't take him long to get his brave boots on though and he was soon walking calmly through everything, including the strip curtains, umbrellas, rustly corridor and the tarp. So then I got on and had a ride around it all too. It's great taking our training away from home now and then to keep it interesting for all of us and do something a bit different! We've now got a stock of 'scary things' in the tack room (including a bright blue tarp!) and get them out now and then to have a play with Tech and keep him de-sensitised!
We've also been working on his fear of bikes! Tech is a pretty cruisy dude most of the time but he seems to have developed a fear of bicycles lately. (Not sure if there's been an incident with a bike in the driveway next to the paddock which may have scared him? Who knows with horses!) So Mum volunteered to ride a bike around the paddock while Becky worked him to try and get him over this fear. We're making progress slowly...
"Savvy Steve" came and gave Tech a session of Savvy Touch a couple of weeks ago so he's in tip top condition for our training and upcoming competitions. I've never seen Tech so relaxed and content as he was at the end of the session! He had a few good adjustments and is working really well after his treatment. We're also loving our latest Savvy Touch additions: Faark Off fly spray (new item on our pre-Jodie mounting checklist: Have you faarked him up?!!), 2 in 1 shampoo and shine which smells great and makes his coat super white and shiny, and of course stocking up on our Savvy Touch favourite Skin Smoothie.
So we're now on the countdown to our big trip for the Para Nationals and Horse of the Year in Hastings. It will be our longest trip away from home so far and the first trip in our new JC Trailers float which we're picking up next weekend (it's an understatement to say we're all very excited!!). The two competitions are at the same venue which means we can set up camp and make ourselves at home in our awesome Equip Outdoors tent and stay settled for the entire two weeks. I have to say I'm not looking forward to the packing (or unpacking afterwards!) but it will all be worth it if we can do as well as we hope to. Bring it on! :o)
JLT Insurance on board for another year!
29th November 2011
JLT Insurance based in Cambridge have renewed their sponsorship of Tech's insurance cost for another year. How awesome is that! It's so great to know that we have such an awesome company behind us looking after our insurance needs.
Thanks so much to the team at JLT! You can check out their great range of insurance packages on their website.
JC Trailers and Eleos Trust are funding us a brand new horse float!
18th November 2011
I can't quite believe I'm writing this...
Thanks to the incredible support of Eleos Trust and JC Trailers, Tech and I will be travelling around NZ in style in our brand new JC11 horse float in January! I'm so excited!!!
It's been quite tricky this year organising transport to competitions around the North Island without our own float, and we haven't been able to get out and about to local shows and clinics as we would have liked to because of the restrictive cost (and organisation!) involved in hiring a horse float. It's also been hard for me to get in and out of the hired floats unassisted because of the height of the step in/no hand holds etc. From January this won't be a problem any longer!
When Judith Cunningham from JC Trailers heard about my funding application to Eleos Trust (which was orginally for a 2nd hand horse float) and my reasons for needing a float (and a customised one at that), she didn't hesitate to offer JC Trailer's full support, which means we can have a brand new, fully customised float which will be absolutely perfect for what we need! John and Judith have worked closely with Darren and I to work out exactly what I need in a float and what customisations I need so that it's totally accessible for me. John has also devised a great mounting system for me off the back of the float so I won't have to worry about mounting away from home, or have to drag the big heavy mounting block Darren built with us that takes up so much room and is really heavy to move. It's so exciting!
I feel so lucky that both Eleos Trust and JC Trailers believe in what Tech and I are doing, and have provided such amazing support that will make such a difference to our training and competing lives. It's a huge step which will make a huge impact towards our ultimate goal of competing at the 2016 Paralympics, as it means we will be able to get out and get the experience we need to take our training, learning and most importantly, our scores, higher to be in contention for a Paralympic team spot.
It's so hard to express how elated and thankful I'm feeling right now, and how much I appreciate everything that has been offered to me by the amazing people involved. All I can say is...
THANK YOU SO MUCH TO JC TRAILERS AND ELEOS TRUST, and welcome to the "Jodie & Tech family".
I hope Tech and I make you proud when we're competing for you!
My float is being built right now and should be ready in February. EXCITING!! Watch this space for updates...!
38th Mitsubishi Motors Paralympic NZ Nationals
8th November 2011
We upped the ante once again at our latest competition, the 38th Mitsubishi Motors Paralympic NZ Nationals hosted by Parafed Waikato this weekend.
We rode three grade 1a tests over the weekend, and we improved all our scores on our last competition to finish on a new personal best for our musical freestyle of 67%. I'm so happy with how we performed, and Tech was just a star throughout the whole weekend. One of the international judges, Myra Friend, commented on how suited Tech and I are and what an awesome horse he is, and she could see he really listens and tries hard for me. It was an amazing feeling that such a highly respected and experienced judge felt compelled to share such positive and encouraging thoughts with me. She told me she would love to take Tech home with her! I want to say a big thank you to both Myra and Kyli for judging this weekend. Their constructive comments on all my test sheets will be scrutinised and worked hard on to help me and Tech keep going in the right direction and improving our scores!
The competition brought riders together from all over the North Island, as well as Grade 2 rider Francis Dick and her horse Oxford Belle from Nelson, to compete in the first equestrian event to be held during the Paralympic NZ National Championships. It was a great turnout and really nice to catch up with the other riders again. I went along with the intention of improving our results on our last competition, and we did that whilst also scoring our first ever 8 for one of our halts which is just awesome! It really shows that Tech and I are working well together and our training is going well. It's just another small step towards our ultimate goal of competing at the 2016 Paralympics and bringing home a medal for New Zealand!
I would like to send out a huge thank you to my support crew. I have the most fantastic team around me and I appreciate you all so much! My travelling team this time was made up of my husband Darren, my parents and my rider/groom extraordinaire Becky. Riders in my grade are allowed to have a warm up rider for 20 minutes to stretch the horse out and loosen him up, before I get on and warm up ourselves and then ride our test, and that's where Becky comes in! We've learned so much during this competition weekend, especially about the best warm-up schedule for Tech so that he's supple and relaxed for me, but not too 'worn in' so it's hard for me to keep him active during my test. It's a very fine line and Becky is doing a great job figuring it all out for me!
I feel so lucky to have such fantastic support. I also want to send out a huge thank you to my team of sponsors: Farmlands Te Puna, JLT Insurance, Equip Outdoors, Savvy Touch and Blue Mist Equine Veterinary Centre. I really appreciate the encouragement and support you are providing us. Without you I couldn't do what I'm doing so a big thank you to all of you!
So what's next for us this season? I'm hoping to compete in some local events over the summer, and will be training hard with my coach Betty Blundell so we can improve our scores again at the next big Para Equestrian events in March; the Para Equestrian National Championships, then Horse of the Year the following week.
Tech and I have come so far in such a short space of time, and I'm really excited about what the future holds for us in the world of para equestrian!
Watch our Championship Test and Freestyle Test from this competition on YouTube.
North Island Para Champs 2011
20th September 2011
What a weekend!
We've come home with a haul of ribbons, rosettes, sashes and a champion's rug from the North Island Para Equestrian Championships this weekend, our first event of the season, and we're the 2011/2012 North Island Grade 1a Champions!
It's a fantastic start to our season. I'm still on a high from all the passion, excitement and adrenaline from the weekend! We left Tauranga on Thursday for Showfields Equestrian Centre in Te Kauwhata where the championships were held from 16 - 18 September. We rode 4 tests over 3 days which in itself is a challenge for me because I tire really quickly. But it was a bigger challenge than usual because I had a fall two weeks before which interrupted my training because of badly bruised and painful ribs. Not really great timing!
Tech and I have been training hard through the winter and working on the feedback we received from the judges at Horse of the Year. We've both come a long way and our scores this weekend showed that. We took on board all the judges' feedback from each test this weekend, and consistently improved our scores by 2% in each test we rode to finish on 66.88% for our musical freestyle. That's a personal best for both me and Tech so I'm really pleased with that!
Exhausted but happy after the busy weekend, I'm looking forward to the rest of the season and plan to continue improving our scores. Our next competition is the 38th Mitsubishi Paralympic NZ Nationals in Cambridge in November. It will be hard to follow such an amazing start to our season but we'll certainly hope to pick up a few more marks and take our scores higher again. We both still have so much to give and Tech has so much scope to go further - it's really quite exciting! He's come a long way in a relatively short time. I'm so proud of him!
I'm also very proud of my support crew - without them I couldn't do what I do. I have the most awesome team around me, supporting and guiding me through training and competitions, as well as training Tech and helping me with the horse care side which would be impossible for me to do on my own because of my physical weaknesses. Horseriding is often seen as an individual sport but that's just not true for me - my coach, family, helpers and sponsors have all got Tech and I to this point. I feel so lucky to have such fantastic support and I hope we do you all proud when we're in the arena competing and working as hard as we can.
I appreciate my support team and sponsors so much. Without you I couldn't do what I'm doing so I would like to say a big thank you to all of you!
Watch my musical freestyle test here >
We've been Touched by Savvy!
26th August 2011
I'm excited to announce that Savvy Touch is a proud addition to my sponsors! I've been using the Savvy Touch Hoof Paste on Tech for a few weeks now and it's an awesome product that's keeping his feet looking great! It gives a fab shine to his hooves too so it will definitely be in my show kit this season, as well as being used on a regular basis to keep Tech's feet in tip top condition.
One thing I love about it (apart from how well it works!), is that it's in paste form and is therefore Tech-proof! So when he gets inquisitive about "what in this cool blue pot?" and knocks it off the fence for the 100th time, nothing spills or gets wasted yay! I'm just starting to use the skin smoothie now to help improve the scars along his neck that look ugly when not covered by his thick winter coat. (This product along with the mud balm has had awesome results on heaps of skin problems) Oh and the shampoo and shine spray will be added to my show kit too... so many awesome products to choose from. And the best thing is you can use them all on yourself too!
Steve also worked on Tech last week and watching him in action and the way Tech responded was just awesome. Tech feels much looser and more relaxed so I'm sure his bending and flexion will be much easier to develop now after Steve's Savvy Touch!
I'm proud to be able to use and recommend such amazing products - huge thanks Steve! Check out the products for yourself - you won't be disappointed!
Winter update
25th August 2011
It's been a while since my last update but things have been pretty quiet here with the end of the season and the winter hitting us. We had a change of grazing which meant saying goodbye to Linda and Dawn who have been amazing support for us since we bought Tech, taking care of him and training him for me over the first few months we owned him. It was sad to leave them but I had an opportunity to move Tech closer to home which makes it easier for me to get out there more often which is great. Tech and I continued our lessons and training with my coach, Betty Blundell, as and when the weather and ground conditions allowed. We've been working towards our first competition at the beginning of November (or so I thought!) - the 38th Mistubishi Paralympic NZ National Championships in Waikato. It's the first time para-equestrian has been included so it's exciting to be working towards such a great event!
Then I found out last week that the North Island Para-Equestrian Championships are being held on the 16th - 18th September at Showfields Equestrian Centre (a fab venue might I add!) so our training schedule has been ramped up so we are ready for this important first competition.
I've got an awesome riding/horse training crew on board at my new location - Alex and Lia - who are working hard to get Tech into shape after the winter, and working on the comments from the judges in our HOY tests. Thanks heaps guys!
A few weeks ago Tech became quite sore through his back and wasn't a happy chap, so Liz Thompson from Blue Mist Equine spent an afternoon with Tech and Mum working through some postural exercises and giving him a thorough check over, checking his saddle fit and giving us some feed tips too. Thanks Liz! Then a couple of weeks later, Steve Cleary from Savvy Touch met Tech and worked his Savvy Magic on him which was amazing to watch - Thanks Steve! He responded really well to all his treatments and he's feeling pretty loose, relaxed and good about himself now so bring on the bend and flexion! :o)
So we're looking forward to our first full season together, and will be working hard to improve our scores from HOY and have some fun together!
I want to take this opportunity to say a BIG THANK YOU to all my helpers, riders, coach, my family and sponsors for all your support. I've said it before but I'll say it again - I couldn't do it without you!
AMP Do Your Thing Scholarship Application - I need your vote!
1st June 2011
I've applied for an AMP Do Your Thing scholarship to help me work towards my goal of competing at the highest level in para-equestrian dressage in New Zealand, then working international competition. My ultimate goal is to represent NZ at the Paralympics and a scholarship from AMP Do Your Thing would really help me towards that dream!
The people's choice award is now open so please have a look at my page and vote for me to help me achieve my dream! Thank you!
http://www.doyourthing.co.nz/2011-00084/jodie-thorne
Feed sponsorship from Farmlands Te Puna!
10th April 2011
I would like to say a huge thanks to Dennis, Sarah, Kylie and the team at Farmlands Te Puna for sponsoring Tech's NRM Low GI Sport feed as of today. It's a huge help towards our costs to have this part of his feed sponsored!
I've been buying my horse (and dog!) supplies at Farmlands Te Puna for a while now and I'm always amazed at the awesome service and friendly, knowledgeable staff who help me choose the right product. I always come away learning something new about the products I'm buying, or even tips and advice for other horsey-related topics. It's great that their knowledge and experience is given out so readily and I have to say, I really enjoy my trips to the Farmlands store to stock up!
Thanks so much to the Farmlands Te Puna team - I hope Tech and I will do you proud next season!
Horse of the Year 2011
24th March 2011
It's been a very busy month since my last update, with training and preparations for our trip to Horse of the Year.
Linda and Dawn at the Kaimai Equestrian Centre worked hard on some intensive schooling for Tech in the lead up to our departure on 14th March, and Tech was going beautifully for me as a result. Betty worked me hard in our training sessions and Mum carried on with our progress in between times - everyone was working very hard. Huge thanks to you guys for all your help!
On the Sunday, Thea and I spent the afternoon scrubbing and polishing Tech and getting rid of his grass-stained knees (who would have a white horse hehe!!) and he looked awesome when we left. Big thanks to you Thea for all your hard work!
Then Monday morning rolled around and Daz and I packed up the car (seriously underestimated how much stuff we would have to take with us!), picked up Tech and headed to Hastings for the exciting week ahead.
Our first test was on Wednesday morning so after settling Tech in and pitching our tent from Equip Outdoors when we arrived on Monday afternoon, we spent Tuesday chilling out and giving Tech a look around the grounds to settle him in his surroundings. Tash and Claudia, who's pony Cricket was yarded next to Tech, took a shining to Tech and took him out with them on walks around the grounds which was great. They also became my 'grooming team' and helped me get him ready and warmed up for my tests. Thanks girls! It was awesome to meet so many helpful and friendly people who were happy to go out of their way to help and guide us as newbies!
We rode our Championship test on Wednesday morning and despite some huge nerves on my part and a bit of a wobble with my halt half way through the test, we got through it and I was so pleased with how Tech went. It was his second ever dressage test and with our partnership only being 6 weeks old, I couldn't have asked for a better performance from him. We finished second to Ilona and Larado from Blenheim who rode a fab test!
Thursday morning I had a very surprise phonecall from Shiwon from ESNZ telling me I had been chosen as the Bell Tea Rider of the Day for my first ever ride at HOY on Wednesday. WOW!!! So off I went to the showjumping arena in front of the grandstand to be awarded my box of Bell Tea goodies. I still can't believe it even now a week later!
Then on Thursday afternoon Tech and I got ready for our musical freestyle. I was much more relaxed today and so was Tech - I should have carried my dressage whip really because maintaining an acive walk was quite a challenge! When my music started I felt really good and walked into the arena with a smile on my face. Once again, Tech performed so well and I couldn't have been happier or more proud of him. He is such a good boy! I had heaps of fun riding my musical. I left the arena knowing that we had both done our absolute best and felt like we had achieved a great deal in such a short time.
We finished HOY as Reserve Champion for Grade 1, with Ilona and Larado as Grade 1 Champions. They rode so well and it was great to be riding with the other para riders from all over the country.
Tech then spent Friday in another new role - as the St John Ambulance horse with Lisa. Turns out he was pretty awesome at that job too and I feel very lucky to have found such a fab, cruisey horse to be my para-dressage partner.
Huge thanks to all my support crew and sponsors who made it possible for us to get this far. Onwards and upwards from here!
Photos coming soon...
Our first competition
22nd February 2011
Tech and I went to our first show together this weekend! Thanks to the awesome support of Katikati Pony Club, I was able to ride my Para Championship Grade 1a dressage test twice at their dressage day and received some good feedback from the judges.
We know what we need to work on for HOY which is fast approaching and it was great for me to get the experience of riding out in a 'field' and pegged-out arena for the first time. I've only ridden in indoor/outdoor fenced arenas before so it was a bit nerve wracking for me to say the least being out in the open off the lead rein!
Tech behaved really well and made me feel very safe. He didn't take any notice or get worked up at the kids zooming past on their ponies, the loudspeaker, car horns to signal the start of dressage tests or the general excitement of the day. Well done my boy!
I want to say a huge thank you to my support team for the day - Lisa, Tania, Kerry and Darren. I couldn't have done it without you! And a big thank you to Katikati Pony Club for being so welcoming too. I look forward to next year!
Introducing Equip Outdoors – my official outdoor supplier!
15th February 2011
I'm very excited to announce that EquipOutdoors.co.nz have come on board as my official outdoor equipment supplier! Greg and Sandy have donated an awesome OZtrail Elite Breezeway Chalet 4 Plus Dome tent that will be my home from home whenever we head out of town for competitions. It's the perfect tent for me, with wide doorways and good headroom which makes it easy for me to move around. It has plenty of space for both me and Darren to live in during extended trips away from home, (with all my gear too!), and also enough space for other members of my support team to stay with us so will really help keep our accommodation costs down.
Our first big trip is to Horse of the Year in Hastings in March. We're just going through the equipoutdoors.co.nz website choosing lanterns and other camping gear so we're all ready for the week. I'm really looking forward to our first big camping trip – I haven't been camping since I was a child!
A big thank you to Sandy and Geoff and the EquipOutdoors team. Please support them by checking out their website www.equipoutdoors.co.nz for all your camping gear, with great prices and delivery to your door. What more could you ask for!
I've found my horse!!
6th February 2011
Meet my new man - San Mateo Tech Effects!
After nearly 8 months of searching and a couple of false starts, I am very excited to announce that I have found my perfect horsey partner! He's a 16hh, 9 yr old clydie x gelding called Tech, and he is just the most amazing boy. I had fantastic support from Jayne Craike and Jenn Savill at Showfields Equestrian Centre who tried him out for me to assess his suitability a few weeks ago, and the following week I made the trip over to Te Kauwhata to try him out myself at Showfields (with my 'test pilot' - aka Mum!).
The afternoon of riding and 'testing' went really well and we decided to take him on trial for the weekend at Showfields. So on Friday night I loaded my parents and my husband into the car and over to Te Kauwhata we went again! We spent Saturday 'playing' with him and Mum and I rode him twice. Mum had a great lesson with Jayne and really put Tech through his paces and got him going really nicely. I practised some of my dressage tests to see how easy he was for me to perform the movements and respond to my aids, and we bathed him and did a few other bits and pieces with him over the course of the day.
On Sunday, Showfields held a dressage competition which was the perfect opportunity to see how Tech behaved in a show environment. Mum rode him first in the warm up area with other horses around him warming up too, and she was happy with his behaviour to let me get on. I rode him around on the lead rein for a while before being confident enough to go off lead for a while too and he was very well behaved amongst all the activities of the show.
We then took him on trial for a week back home in Tauranga so that my coaches and other support people could assess his suitability and once again, he didn't put a foot wrong and everyone fell in love with him and his temperment.
So after his vet check from Liz Thompson at Blue Mist Equine Veterinary Centre, I decided he was definately the one for me, and I was able to buy him with the amazing grant I received from the Max Foundation for New Zealand Women last year.
It's been a long hard search but I'm so excited now I've found my horse!
Now Tech and I are spending time really getting to know each other and starting to train hard for our first big challenge - Horse of the Year in March. Exciting, nervous and scary all in one... watch this space!
North Island Para Equestrian Championships: 26 - 28 November 2010
30th November 2010
What a fantastic weekend!
I arrived early at Showfields Equestrian Centre on Friday morning with my amazing support crew - my hubby Darren, my parents Sue & Pete and my brother Rich (aka Team Thorne!) to have a quick test-ride on Cracker in the indoor arena, and then wash, plait and get ready for the competition which started with me in the Grade 1a Team test at 2:30pm. I was pretty nervous but soon relaxed when I rode Cracker in the arena with Jayne giving me some tips along the way!
So after a quick familiarisation in the saddle (I couldn't ride for long or else it would tire me out too much for riding again in my test later that day) our next stop was the wash bay. Cracker was really well behaved and soon he was back in his stable drying out while we had our rider briefing. Fast forward through the rest of the preparations, and it was 2:15pm and Cracker and I are warming up in the arena waiting for the bell to start our first test...
My first test was the team test, and apart from a little spook in the corner about half way through which unseated me a bit and unsettled Cracker, he was brilliant. We left the arena happy and relieved that my first test was over and it went well. Later the scores came out and I was stoked to have scored 62% in my first ever para test yay!
The second day was the individual championship test and I felt a lot calmer and less nervous when I arrived at Showfields on Saturday morning. Cracker was an absolute star and gave me a stunning square halt right at X half way through the test - which is something I usually have trouble with due to my arm/upper body weakness. His free walk was great too and I just felt so pleased with how we went. We scored 64% in our championship test yahoo!
I had an amazing time at Showfields and met some incredible people who helped me so much over the two days and made me feel very welcome. A huge thank you to everyone involved with the weekend - I can't wait to see you all again at the next competition!
Photos coming soon...
My first competition...
19th November 2010
I've entered my first para-dressage competition - the North Island National Para-Dressage Championships at Showfields Equestrian Centre on 26th-28th November. I've been training hard with Betty the last couple of months to perfect my 'arena craft' and have been learning and practising the two tests that I'm entered into on the Friday and Saturday. Exciting and nerve-wracking stuff...
While I was in Auckland last week for my classification, I also arranged to meet Rachel Stock, a grade 3 rider, who offered to lend me her daughter's horse Cracker to ride in the competition. I'm a big wimp when it comes to riding new horses, which I guess is understandable when you consider the weaknesses I have and the trust I have to put into a horse when I put myself in their hands (well, in their saddle anyway!). So I wanted to ride Cracker before the competition to get used to his movement and make sure I felt confident that I could control him with my light aids. Well he was a star! It's the first time I haven't felt worried or nervous when getting on a completely new horse (mounting is one of the scariest times for me - I feel so vulnerable in that space between solid ground and hanging in mid-air getting into the saddle!) and I rode happily around the arena without any problems.
So it's with a bit of apprehension and nerves that I work towards my first competition next week... Watch this space for a report on how it went!
I've got my International Classification!
18th November 2010
I went to Auckland on Friday to be assessed by Sharon Gregory, the Australian Para-Equestrian Classifier, so I could get my international classification. I've had my national classicfication since Vicky Melville assessed me in March, but since Sharon was in NZ this week I was booked in to get my second assessment while she was here. It wasn't quite as nerve-wracking this time as I knew exactly what to expect. She went through the same tests and assessment process as I had with Vicky and Sharon has confirmed that my profile 12a and classification as a grade 1A rider is confirmed.
So I'm now eligible to compete internationally should that amazing opportunity come my way - bring it on!
Training in Christchurch
12th November 2010
Apologies for the late report! In October I spent a week in Christchurch (which was a wee bit shaky at the time with aftershocks from the recent earthquake!). I had 3 days at Christchurch RDA meeting and riding with some of the South Island para riders and had 3 lessons with Mary Longden which was awesome. Working with Mary and Vicky Melville we figured out some useful aids that would help me improve my riding and feeling of security in the saddle, including thigh straps and a solid handhold called the Longden Grip (which has just been released for sale so I'm now going to look for sponsorship to fund one for my riding). It's amazing - such a simple idea but gives me so much security in the saddle. It's also completely removable and portable so it can be used on different saddles which is ideal for me at the moment, as I'm riding different horses and my saddle doesn't always fit every horse I ride so I need to have a portable handhold that be swapped between saddles.
The first two days in Christchurch I rode a very sweet mare called Mystery who was very responsive to my light aids and riding style, but she was a little bit small for my long legs and her stride was quite short and choppy. So the third day I rode George, a 16.2hh Clydie X, 12 year old gelding (pictured) who felt (and looked!) like a giant compared to the horses I've been used to riding. But after a slightly nervous start, I settled into his movement and everyone agreed that in fact I do need that bigger size to feel more comfortable in the saddle.
So all in all it was a hugely successful trip to Christchurch for me. I met some amazing people, learned heaps and came home with some great ideas that I am already putting into practice in my training.
Huge thanks to Jenny and the team at Christchurch RDA for lending me their horses and helping with my rides while I was there. Big thanks to Mary and Vicky for the training and ideas to improve my riding, and a big thank you to Camelot Court Motel and Ace Rental Cars for helping with my travel and accommodation costs. Also thanks to Equestrian Supplies in Albany for the padded saddle bag that transported my saddle safely in the plane!
And of course, not forgetting big thanks to my amazing hubby Darren for supporting me on the trip, being my 'luggage carrier', chauffeuring me around Christchurch, and being my mounting/dismounting support and sidewalker. He's pretty involved really and he isn't even from a horsey background!
I've added some photos from my last lesson on George to my photo gallery.
How do you transport a saddle?
17th October 2010
In preparation for my trip to Christchurch, I started thinking about the best way to pack my saddle to make it easy to carry and protect it when I take it on the plane with me. Here's where the awesome team at Equestrian Supplies in Albany stepped in and donated a fantastic padded Wintec saddle bag that makes transporting my saddle a dream!
Huge thanks to Pat and the team at Equestrian Supplies!
Horse hunt update...
30th September 2010
After having Elion on trial for 2 weeks it seems he's not the horse for me unfortunately (which is very sad as he is a lovely boy), so the search starts again for my dressage mount. I will keep you posted!
Huge thanks to Majestic Horse Floats for providing the transport for Elion to go back to his home in Taupo (it will be sad to wave him off on Saturday...)
More help for my trip to Christchurch: Ace Rental Cars are sponsoring my car hire!
29th September 2010
The lovely people at Ace Rental Cars in Christchuch are sponsoring my car hire for the time I am in Christchurch for my training with Mary Longden and the NZ para-equestrian team. Thank you so much Ace Rental Cars - that's a huge help towards costs for my trip!
Annual insurance cost sponsored by JLT Insurance
16th September 2010
JLT Insurance based in Cambridge have joined the growing list of supporters and offered to cover the cost of my horse insurance for the year. How awesome is that! Thanks so much to the team at JLT! You can check out their great range of insurance packages on their website.
Saddlery Warehouse Cambridge sign up as a sponsor
11th September 2010
Saddlery Warehouse have come on board the mountain of support I am getting with my para-equestrian dreams to offer me discounted products from their Cambridge store. This will be a great help as I'm setting myself up to care for and ride a para-dressage competition horse.
Thank you so much to Pam and the team at the Cambridge store!
Training sessions with Mary Longden in Christchurch
9th September 2010
I've been lucky enough to confirm a place on the 3-day training sessions with Mary Langdon in Christchurch in October. This will be an amazing opportunity for me to be learn from an international para rider and coach and also meet other NZ para riders, as well as the para training team. I'm so excited!
A huge thank you to Best Western Camelot Court Motor Lodge who despite the huge earthquake that hit Christchurch this weekend, have offered to provide my accommodation for the time I'm in Christchurch which is just amazing. Thank you so much Penny & Brian!
I would just like to take this opportunity to send out my thoughts and well wishes to everyone affected by the Canterbury earthquake. I can't imagine what it must be like right now and we're all thinking of you.
I may have found my horse...
8th September 2010
I met Elion, a 7 year old Appaloosa from Lone Park Stud in Taupo 2 weeks ago. He sounded perfect from the conversations I had with his owner Debbie, and I couldn't wait to meet him. We spent a Sunday afternoon with him at the end of August and after 5 minutes of being mounted, I was happy to walk around the arena on my own which is a big thing for me on a new horse. We just had this big 'click'!
Fast forward 10 days and I went to Taupo again today for Elion's first time at Taupo RDA. He behaved brilliantly and took all the new situations well in his stride - the ramp, the games, the environment, and the work Debbie has done with him in has made him really responsive to my aids and riding style. Taupo RDA very kindly let me ride with the morning ride in the indoor arena and out in the paddock. Elion behaved so well and we got on so well together that we are now going to take him on trial and see how we get on riding together regularly.
I'll keep you posted - I really hope this works out so keeping everything crossed!
I've been chosen as a recipient for a Max Foundation grant!
4th August 2010
I had the most amazing phonecall today from Sandy at the Max Foundation for New Zealand Women telling me I had been chosen as a recipent of a grant to purchase a dressage horse!
As you can probably imagine, I was bouncing off the walls and truly couldn't believe that I had been chosen out of the huge number of applications they had received. Thanks to their amazing grant I can now buy a horse that is completely suited to my sensitive rein aids and balance issues due to my disability. I'm so excited!!
Thank you so much Max Foundation!
So now the hunt is on for my perfect partner (of the 4-legged sense!) for my para-equestrian career. I will keep you posted on my search...
Looking for a horse
23rd July 2010
I thought I found the perfect horse last month - 15.1hh, totally cruisey nature with previous dressage experience. His ground manners were impeccable and his responsiveness to my riding was just perfect, but unfortunately due to a hoof injury 2 years ago, he isn't reliably sound so he's not going to work out.
I found another potentially good horse locally who we were going to meet this weekend and try out, but I heard on Friday that she had an accident in the paddock and is now at Matamata vet clinic (poor girl) receiving treatment to an infected leg wound. She now needs a month's rest before being ridden again so yet again - a great sounding horse is pulled out from under me at the last minute.
So - my horse hunt is still in full swing and I really hope to find something soon so we can get to know each other, build up our relationship and get ready for competition at the end of this year. If you think you may have (or know of) a suitable horse, please read my horse requirements and contact me. Thank you!
I'm classified and eligible to compete at international Para-Equestrian Dressage!
27th March 2010
I visited the North Island Para-Equestrian Championships this weekend to be classified and see what grade I will compete in. It was a nerve-wracking experience being put through various tests of my strength, function, movement and balance, but Vicky Melville, the International classifier for NZ, put me at ease.
I've been classified as Grade 1a which is a walk only test, so now the hunt is on for a suitable horse for me to train and compete on. Exciting times!
If you think you may have (or know of) a suitable horse, please read my horse requirements