5th June 2013

 

Werribee park is like a second home to anyone who's been competing for a while... I rolled in early Saturday morning, & five days later, I feel like I'm the host of this giant event! Most people arrived today, so our peaceful space has suddenly manifested itself into a carni-like camping fest. You can see everything from the most lavish of trucks to old bangers, pop-up campervans, long & short goosenecks, extended floats, hired caravans, as well as the odd tent! 

 

 

On arrival, every horse has its mandatory health inspection, gives the vet their papers, then it's 'organize your space' time... ie, unpack the tetris-like stacking of belongings jammed into the car/float/truck, & make a home for the week! This year I have a hired caravan (to share with Mum who has her 10 Minute Box trade stand), then behind that is the float/tack room, then behind that is my groom's (Caitlin & Kirsten's) float... We are a well oiled carni community on a mission!

 

Today's program was pretty easy - up at 6:30am, feed the boys & paste their electrolytes, then go for a run through to the mansion grounds for an hour. Caitlin did the boxes, then took my two horses (Willy & Forest) for a walk & graze. I then schooled them both on the flat, trimmed their hairy bits & pulled manes for tomorrows horse inspection, picked up my riders packs from the office, went into town for some supplies, swept, raked, bandaged, treated scabby legs, made feeds, pasted additives, visited friends, made dinner, wrote lists & tomorrow's itinerary... Now it's time to go to bed! There's always something to do, never a dull moment!

 

 

Myself, Chris Height & Megan Jones are dressing up in our competition attire at 6:45am tomorrow, to do a live cross from the Mansion for the channel 7 Sunrise weather! Chris drew the short straw & has to wear the top hat & tails - haha I'm wearing showjumping gear, so Meegs must be wearing cross country stuff. I think I hear rain on the roof... That's not ideal, it was just starting to dry out, & this place is a bog hole when it rains at a big event!

 

It's pretty exciting, there's nothing better than a big event! OK, on that note, I'm off to shower & then bed - I have two 30 minute lessons with Charlotte Pedersen at 8:30am & 10am, so I'd better get some sleep for the early start! More news tomorrow!