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| This is Ben - the star of the Flying V school. He is super quiet, and very handsome. There are photos in the photo gallery! He is a grey gelding, about 15hh and around 20 or so years old. I have known him for a long time, as he was also a school horse when I was teaching at Stromlo Equestrian Centre a few years ago, before he was sold by his owners to 2 girls who were my junior staff! Even though he is the quietest horse I have, he'll only be a part time school horse. Why? Because he's going to Pony Club! I took him to my Club's gymkhana as a bit of fun, and he did so well that his career has taken a new turn. The rider classes were not all that good because the judges seemed to want a big showy horse, and he's neither big nor particularly showy at the moment, but the jumping and sporting was really good! Results were : E-grade showjumping - 3rd, Point to point race - 1st, bending race - 2nd, keyhole - 1st, walk, trot, lead race - 2nd, barrel race - 4th (although we would have won if I hadn't knocked over a barrel!) and clover leaf - 1st. He used to jump B-grade so it won't be long before he goes up the grades! I only did E-grade because he hasn't jumped even a pole for 2 years or so. What a fantastic little horse! He will hopefully also be our Pony Club vaulting horse. He still needs a lot of work, but he used to do vaulting with me at Stromlo Equestrian Centre, so I know he'll be safe. All he needs is TLC and patience. Semi-retirement has suddenly turned into a busy life for "The Snowman!" |
| Flying V Snowman (as Ben is known when he goes out) has been out and about again, this time to the Tuggeranong Adult Riding Club Gymkhana. I can't remember the exact placings but we came home with a bundle of ribbons! I do remember getting reserve champion galloway, and winning the Pony Club mount class! How cool is that?! Ben is a legend all right! He has also been to Pony Club to teach vaulting to some of the kids. Only the youngest age group was allowed to use him, so they felt very special! One managed to stand up, another almost made it, and another tried but chickened out. Everyone tried several movements other than standing, with varying degrees of success. All had a great time, and hopefully some of them will join the competition vaulting team soon. I hope so! Meanwhile, Ben is continuing his training and is doing well. |
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| What a busy month October has been! It started off with State Vaulting Championships on the 7th and 8th, where everyone went really well! I came 7th in C class, and considering I only practice at canter about once every three weeks, that's pretty good! Amanda came 7th in her class also, while Stefanie came 2nd! There was less than a point separating that whole class. Our barrel team of 4 would have come second, except a protest by another team forced us to go HC. We were a bit disappointed but still pleased with our mark! On the 21st and 22nd was the Trevor Morris Showjumping clinic run by CLPC. I took Nevada, and we had a great time and learned heaps. Nevada showed everyone how to jump! She was really good. On the 29th was the CLPC ODE. Nevada and I came third in the Associate D grade! Woo hoo! (There is still a dispute over placings in this class, because a rider from another club was apparently downgraded from C grade, only nobody knew about it!) She was really funny the whole day (Nevada that is!) about jumping. She showjumped quite nicely except for a big flying leap over the wall, which she had jumped last weekend at the clinic with no worries! Cross country she looked at most of them, but went clear except for time faults. If we had gone on time we would have come second! Bugger! There are several things coming up in November, so keep returning. Visit Canberra Lakes Pony Club for a calendar of events. |
| Okay, so you want to know about the new horse! Well, his name is Sales, he is a 10 year old grey thoroughbred gelding and he's gorgeous. At the time of writing he is still on his way in the truck from Victoria, but I should have a picture of him soon. At 16hh he is bigger than the others, but is kind natured. His main role here will hopefully be as a vaulting horse, which is what we are trialling him for. Brenda, if you're reading this, he is in the best of care! We will take great care of him! We will let you know soon if he is to stay with us! That's him to the right ------- isn't he beautiful? |
| For new horse info - read on! |
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