Colleen asks.
WHAT CHANGES WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IN SHOWJUMPING?
For starters ,
I would like to have 6 shows a year like Elysian fields.
The venue was magnificient, and the organization was spot on.
The venue of SIEC (Horsely Park) is wonderful too.
The big ring is a great experience to ride in.
Size wise SIEC is the closest we have to arenas like Spruce Meadows, AAchen Hickstead etc . We do not have the variety of 'natural obstacles' which is a pity ,they certainly are challenging.
It is an amazing feeling to ride in an arena of that size.
I must say Sydney Jump Club in Clarendon has a big ring, and the turf footing as good as anywhere I have ridden.
Course Designers need to adjust too ,designing tracks for those huge arenas.
Our riding would improve dramatically if we had more shows in venues like those.
Indoor competition, once you have some experience, it isn't a problem.Indoor shows up the flat training or the gaps!!
The horses' main worry is the noise factor,but more experience certaily helps them adjust.
Have I started you thinking?
You are only limited by your imagination, have a go!!!!!

Poet's Corner on the left really pulling up those legs in the Grand Prix at the End Of Year Champs
and Mr Secrets on the right jumping the first of the treble in the GP.

Well, I'm trying to put a couple of pics from the weekend.
There is one on my website and there are two more to come.
I will keep trying.
Colleen

Last weekend in November 08

A stormy changeable weekend in Sydney.
We are busily riding horses and attending Canadian Jody Sloper's clinic at Clarendon, home of Sydney Jump Club.
Liz is riding in the clinic and I am the video and note taker.
My horses are not ready, they are working at home.
A blood test Monday will tell me if I am able to start my two Grand Prix horses at the upcoming shows.
It is unusual for both to be out of action at the same time.
Colleen.

No Equitana

Hello,
Well we are not going to Equitana,Secrets needs some time off, not too long I hope.
My vet did a routine blood test and found he was very anaemic. And yes Secrets did seem a bit quieter than normal when we arrived home.
Some VitaminB and iron suppplements for 10 days.
Poet has been sick with a virus and isn't quite right yet.
I am looking forward to seeing them both wanting to run around their paddocks.
Anecdotally since EI there have been more than usual low blood counts!
Hopefully they will be firing in a week or two,we have a couple of shows left for the year.
Colleen

shows

Hello,
We have just been to Victoria to two World Cup shows and we will return this week for another two .
Equitana is a great event. It is where you see all the latest in Equestrian items and education.
It is hard to keep your hands in your pockets, with so many beautiful objects to buy.
I look forward to cruising around fo a day or two.
colleen

/claire I will put up the pic from the Tassie clinics this week.
I am going to my e- learning day tomorrow, just look out for all my new expertise.
I hope I will be able to use some ideas to help the riders who are considered GI's(long distance)
C.