By Nicole Blanks

 

My first competition on Australian soil with Vledder, at the Boneo Classic, could not have gone more perfectly. After a tough lead up to the event after I had to take three months off riding due to a concussion, to finish with two PB’s and winning all three classes, I was thrilled. Most importantly however, I was over the moon with how happy Vledder seemed to be at the competition, trying his heart out for me in all three tests and having so much fun in the freestyle.

 

Vledder came home to Australia in September last year following the World Equestrian Games. Since then he has been slowly acclimatising to life in Australia, to begin with he had to learn to ‘be a horse’ and spend the day in the paddock, as well as slowly getting used to the heat. His personality has been slowly evolving and he is really coming out of his shell, and is the sweetest horse I have ever owned. Unfortunately our competition debut on Australian soil was delayed due to my concussion, and it wasn’t until the end of December I was allowed to ride again, giving me just over three weeks to prepare for Boneo. 

 

The Boneo Classic was the perfect event; fantastic facilities, great organising committee and a super group of competitors. The para-equestrian events were held from Wednesday to Friday and with the event being a CPEDI3* (international event) there was a trot up held on the Tuesday. With Boneo being the first opportunity for riders to gain a minimum eligibility score for the Paralympic games in Rio, and Australia’s first opportunity to get a team score on the board, it was an important event for us! We arrived at Boneo on the Monday to allow Vledder time to settle in and for us to set up camp for the week.

 

 

As it was our first competition on Australian soil with less than ideal preparation, I was aiming for three accurate tests and a happy horse. I was also dreaming that it was possible for me to get scores similar to that I’d achieved in Europe, with anything more than that being a bonus. 

 

Well, Wednesday dawned and it was time for the first day of competition, the team test. The weather on Wednesday was hot and humid and with our tests on late in the afternoon I was worried how Vledder, not being used to the heat, would cope, so we had a very short warm up and then it was time for our test. I was over the moon with Vledder in the test as he tried his heart out for me, I could tell by the end of the trot work he was exhausted, but he knows the test and still tried to give me his all. I was so proud of him. We were rewarded with a 69.84%, a personal best for this test and first place!!! I couldn’t have been happier with him!

 

 

The weather was much kinder for us on Thursday with our test in the morning before the heat. Vledder felt amazing and it was the best trot work we’ve ever had and we were on the edge, pushing the limits in the canter work and it just felt super! According to the judges, it was ‘better than WEG’! We finished with another PB of 70.36% for first and I couldn’t have been happier. It was such a good feeling to be at home in Australia and really be able to push the limits and aim for the high scores!

 

Friday morning we were up bright and early again with the freestyle on at 7:30am and Vledder definitely had his dancing shoes on. Vledder really felt like he was having fun in the test. Every time I came round for a medium or extended he’d prick his ears as if to say “I know what I’m doing, I’ll show you how to do it”. It was an amazing feeling to be on him and feel that he was enjoying himself. We finished on over 71% for first, leaving us champion grade 4. 

 

It was also great to catch up with some new riders at Boneo, those competing or being classified, as well older riders who I haven’t caught up with in over a year. It’s great to have new riders coming up putting pressure on all of us to improve! The para world really does seem like one big family.

 

 

There are so many people to thank for making this possible. I was fortunate enough that Rozzie Ryan brought Vledder back into work when he landed in Australia. Then while I was concussed, Judy Smith continued her great work bringing Vledder back to full fitness until I was able to get back on. Since I’ve been back riding, Adam Reiss and Maree Tomkinson have both been amazing coaches helping Vledder and I become a combination at home and also at Boneo helping me in the warm up. Without their help it wouldn’t have been possible. 

 

A massive thank you also to super groom Sue Tuck for your support at the event, making sure Vledder was happy and looking amazing for each test! Also to the ongoing support from my amazing family on this journey, through the highs and lows you make it all worth it! Thanks also to Boneo Park and the organising committee for including the para equestrian events. We really appreciate the opportunity to be out competing, especially with the international judges. 

 

 

The Boneo Classic was the best possible start to our competition career on Australian soil. Vledder tried his absolute heart out for me and more importantly it felt like he was having fun and enjoying himself. 

 

I can’t wait for our next competition. It’s so good to have Vledder home!