avondale warmbloods

The 12th August we headed south of the border to the lovely town of Armidale for an official comp. Its been a really difficult year to get any sort of qualifying scores or competition starts with so many comps cancelled so now its a struggle to get to as many as we can done in time to qualify for State Champs and the Nationals. As we drove into town there was sleet and the occasional snow flake! It was very very cold but they are a hardy lot down there and the show went on! Choccie again did really well with great scores and a 2nd and a 5th in the novice.

The next show was the Fraser Coast Championships at Maryborough, yes more big miles! Totally worth the drive though with good stabling and an Indoor with a great surface. Choccie won Preliminary Champion, narrowly missed getting Novice Champion and a second in the freestyle. I also rode Alexandra Rowes lovely mare Regency Lanthee in the medium divisions to take home Official medium Champion, associate medium Champion and won the medium freestyle. It was a shame the numbers were so low in the official classes, its a great venue, friendly commitee and some terrific prizes! Alexandra also competed her 4 yr old Avondale Panache in the official preliminary classes for a 5th and 6th place. A great effort and wonderful to see this young superstar in the making handle himself so well in a strange place with limited outings. A testament to the great job Alex is doing with this horse!

Special mention must also go Mel widdis from Fortissimo Freestyles who choreographed, edited and musically perfected both my Novice and Medium Freestyles. I cannot recommend Mel highly enough if you are looking to get a freestyle done then get in touch with her at www.fortissimofreestyles.com.au.

Also to Black Label Equestrienne who outfitted us in new riding jackets, shirts and stocks for the weekend! We felt fabulous and the results speak for themselves  The new 2012 spring range is now in store and ready to order at www.blacklabeleq.com.au

The next event on the agenda is the Ilse Shwarz clinic from the 5th to the 8th September. Once again it is a well attended sell out clinic. Fence sitters are welcome at a cost of $20/day and includes refreshments. The venue is the Allora Indoor for the first 3 days and then at home here at Avondale Warmbloods for the Saturday.

Mention must  also go to some of my students, Croxley Studs Three Tails, Amy Taylor and Clare Kelly who competed very  succesully at the Ekka this year with many placings across several classes. Christine Baker who has really improved tremendously with Psuedo Echo to place at the recent Hunter Trials and associate dressage at both Toowoomba and Allora. Karli Hatton my working pupil has been competing elementary dressage and placing well and also doing some hunter trials and schools getting ready for the jump to Pre novice eventing.