HO HO HO…

by Amanda Ross for Equestrian Life

It’s been 7 weeks since I last sat on a horse. I don’t think I’ve ever gone that long without riding! Last week I was given the all clear to ride again, providing I wear the splint, along with a long look down the nose of ‘don’t do anything silly’. I managed to do everything except tighten the girth on the left when I’m mounted, & hold up hooves whilst picking them out… but there are ways of getting around pretty much anything! For some reason I thought it might feel a little bit weird being back on a horse. Thankfully, I remembered how… halleluiah! The boys actually felt pretty much the same… after a good lunge! Circles are the cure for everything lol! My wrist is weak & can’t continually hold or pull at the same rate that it could, but it’ll get stronger with use. Luckily I’m not a professional jar-opener.

The plan is to a) get the boys fit again by lungeing & riding, b) strengthen my wrist using the hand therapist & physio’s exercises, c) showjump over summer, & d) be ready to start the season at 2*, then soon followed by 3* so we can do Melbourne CCI*** 2014.

To motivate myself, I’ve booked in to ride in the George Morris clinic in January, at Adam Wooten’s place. OMG I am a little terrified… I’m scared I’ll totally lose my eye/direction, turn up late, split the crotch of my breeches, or something equally as incriminating! I’m actually really looking forward to it - the man is a genius, Guru of showjumping, & as I learnt to jump using the Equitation system, I’m hoping to get a lot out of both riding & watching. There are so many incredibly useful flat exercises for jumping; I’d love to train more of these, as I think they’re an invaluable tool to cement your jumping basics.

Speaking of equitation & the USA, I recently caught up with my old coach, Harley Brown, on his first visit back home after living in the USA for the past 11 years. It was great to hear about the way the showjumping system works over there, & how they are very much into beginning their riding careers with equitation. Equitation (for those who are unfamiliar) is a jumping competition, where the round is judged like a dressage test, & awarded marks for correct leg/seat/body/hand etc position, as well as the technique of the horse, & how the rider navigates the course. I was very fortunate to have this drilled into me by Sally Francis from about the age of eight, & have had some exceptional trainers who continue to drill me on position to this day! It’s a pity it hasn’t taken off here, as it would vastly improve the quality of riding, no end! 

This Thursday I head off to WA to open the brand spanking new Horseland Midlands store, which will be a total eye opener! I met store owner Cheryl Campbell at Adelaide CCI, where we discovered we had matching wrist injuries! The Midlands store is an amazing, state of the art shop, so it should be a fun trip! The next day, I fly back to Melbourne & drive to Lakes & Craters CCI to play coach until Sunday. Home Sunday night, then Tuesday morning fly up to Canberra for the first of four Level 3 coaching camps, held at the AIS. The funny thing is, Will Enzinger & I are travelling together… pair of circus clowns! He’s on crutches & I can’t carry heavy bags… I told him to get a wheel chair, then we can pile our bags on his lap & I can wheel him onto the plane! I cannot wait to go to the AIS, that’s like heaven for me! Such a sports geek…

Christmas is coming (already, really?!), & I am about to turn…40. NOOOOOOOOOO!!! I’m sure it’s a mistake on my birth certificate. I can’t decide whether I’d like a trip to the Golden Door retreat, an Hermes necklace, or a set of show jumps… the practical horse equipment always features somewhere!! Probably all too expensive & I’ll just get an Endota voucher! Anyway, I’m not sure how I feel about the big 40… denial is a good option I think! I’m not going to tell the horses… Willy will just say that’s why I fell off & broke – cause I’m old & brittle! Harley said he’s had the most riding success in his 40’s, so I’ll take that encouragement (with my denial & possibly lying about my age), & launch into 2014 head on!  

Good luck at Lakes & Craters everyone!