April 2008 Newsletter | listed 29/04/2008

After a journey of 68 hours we eventually arrived at our base for the next 6 months the home of David & Jacky Green in Marlborough, Wiltshire. All the horses travelled well and coped with all aspects of the trip even the waiting around at Amsterdam airport while thousands of day old chicks had to be unloaded before us.

Vettori owned by Kathy Ward & Peter O’Connell, Panamera owned by Tim Game, Tallyho Sambucca owned by Andrew & Andrea Roberts. Don Panache owned by Brian & Pucci Graham, Ari-Di-Gwaihir owned by Charlotte Mavris & Jenny Rissman and Kinnordy Godehard were the 6 horses that made the trip. They all had a couple of days of to recover from the trip, then a few of days of hacking then out to get them back into training for the upcoming competitions. They have now settled into a routine getting used to their new home and of course the British Weather. The first weekend we arrived it snowed which most of them would never have experienced before... since then the weather has consisted mainly of wind, rain some more snow, frosts and only a little bit of sunshine. Roll on spring.

We had all the events planned and entered but due to bad weather the first couple were cancelled. So new plans were made and horses rerouted to different events. We had an Australian Squad School held at Hoplands Equestrian Centre. Harry Bolt, Wayne Roycroft and Gilbert Bockmann were on hand to offer their invaluable advice and guidance to the English based Australian Riders.

We were then off to or first event, Belton Horse Trials in Lincolnshire 4 hours North. We were staying over for two nights. Vettori was running in the advanced class. A clear Show jumping round and clear XC meant that he finished in 5^th place. Ari-Di-Gwaihir and Don Panache ran in the Open Intermediate section with a couple of rails each they finished in 12^th and 18^th respectively. Kinnordy Godehard ran in the Intermediate class and completed the event. I was good to finally get to a competition and blow away the cobwebs. The following Thursday we made our way to a local dressage competition with Vettori, Panamera, Don Panache and Kinnordy Godehard. Panamera came 4^th in the four star test and Vettori came 5^th. It was out again that Saturday for an event at Powderham Castle in the south coast of England.

Vettori, Don Panache and Ari-Di-Gwaihir where all contesting the Advanced class, but in different sections. Vettori came 3^rd, Ari-Di-Gwaihir 8^th and Don Panache 13^th.

While we have been over in the UK, we are still constantly thinking about home. Karen, Jaymee and Gemma are doing a fabulous job of running the property and keeping the home fires burning. On top of that Karen also has Club Equus to run. With Bates Sydney Three Day Event running on the 18^th - 20th April Club Equus was holding one of its fantastic Hospitality tents. By all accounts it was a fabulous event.

We have been made to feel very welcome at Maisey Manor. David & Jacky and the rest of the team have been marvellous.

We also have to say a big Thank You to our owners and sponsors for their continued support through this time. Coprice has been great in suppling us with Coprice and NutriRice in the UK. It was very important to us to keep the horses diet the same. Bates for suppling us with their fantastic range of saddle.  Nature Vet for making sure we have a ready supply of their amazing range of products which have helped with the long trip. Horseland for keeping all our horses nice and warm in their fantastic range of rugs.

Until next time

Upcoming calendar

See you all next month from Amy and all at Tinney Eventing.