Sorry the blog has been a bit quiet. We are well and truely in the leadup to Sydney, leaving in roughly 10days!
Murph came back into work after a few weeks off from Melbourne and headed to some showjumping days before doing Gidgegannup CNC** event in Perth. He scored a personal best dressage score of 47, in a tight 3rd spot. Cross country I tried a new bit, a running gag with 2 reins. It worked well, we came in under time, but I found it wasn’t going to be enough bridle over a longer track. Showjumping also went well, we had a rail in hand, with only one other person making XC time, but he jumped clear – to finish on a sub 50 dressage score and in first place!

I then headed back to Yalambi Farm where I was spending some time getting lessons from both Rory Hovell and Alison Rowlands in the lead up to Gidge. I spent two weeks there before heading to the Perth 3 Day Event. Thursday was trot up day at the SEC, Murph of course passing with flying colours. I was third out for dressage in the CCI***, and after a not so good day riding on Thursday the aim was for a rhythmical and consistent test. I was stoked and it scored 53.9 and into first place. The course looked fantastic and rode even better. I again went for a different type of bit, knowing I wasn’t chasing a qualifier I could afford to experiment. It worked great, and we even came in under time, the first time ever for 3 star! Showjumping went well, Murph pulled up great, and I kept my warmup to a minimum to keep him fresh. He jumped a super clear round, giving it lots of air, to finish again on his dressage score and in the lead!

So what a prep it has been – now to concentrate on gettting walk trot and canter better before we leave. Our trip is planning to take 4days, from Woody to Fraser Range, through to Ceduna, onto Mildura and up to Sydney.

More updates to follow…