January 2012
January started with a bang. The Mount White neighbours got together for an impromptu bbq and show at Ashbrookes Farm. We had the pleasure of a performance from Jennifer Welsh-Nicholson & Brandi Phillips – “Riata Cowboy Girls” – from USA who were with us form Christmas & New Year. They performed amazingly with their ropes and trick riding – ably assisted by Teleah Jensen. Then it was back to the farmhouse for another awesome performance by Sarah Moir & Okkie. Sarah and Okkie starred at Equitana with their violin & dance act – and it was just as spine tingling on New Year’s Day.
Then it was off to the Snowy Mountains Showjumping Festival, where Hawkesbury River Saddle company sponsored the Amateur Series with a HR Platinum Jumping Saddle – won by Brett Clarke. Thanks to Tim Dreverman, Rhi, Sarah & Sue and the whole crew for organizing such a wonderful show. MEA is a great club and did a fantastic job. It was nice to go to a show with Heath in attendance, so he could watch Quality Euro (Crumbles to his mates) – jump 5 out of 5 clear rounds with a couple of placings. Thanks to Nature Vet for all the pick-me ups for my quiet Warmblood. Normally I am reaching for the calm me downs with the thoroughbreds!
Both Crumbles & Frosty placed – so we went home with 5 ribbons, Heath sold heaps of saddles – and collected a red light fine on the way home just to top it off!
Half way through January we welcomed Kirstie Hobson to our crew, and saw Lindsey Anic shift from horses to Hawkesbury River Saddle co work. Nakita Barber as always helping with everything.
I am sure that it has rained every weekend since Cooma – Morisset Show was cancelled, and Heath & I are at AELEC at the Landmark Stockhorse sale in Tamworth. Lucky it is indoors.
Bring on February and some sunshine I say.....
Brett Clarke being presented with the very first Hawkesbury River Platinum Jumping Saddle for winning the Amateur series at the Snowy Mountains Showjumping Festival
December 2012
I must be getting older – as the years seem to be flying past (not that being 49 next year is worrying me.......). With rain again being a factor trying to get to a show – we finally made the Sydney Showjumping Club Championships and also the lovely show at SIEC. Frosty was a star at both – placing in the D grades & 1.10’s. Cascade was back from injury – so started in the 1.05m to get going – did not have a rail down for both shows – but too slow in the jump offs for more than one placing at SIEC. Crumbles was starting to work out the jockey – who needed to kick a bit more. 12th out of 80 in the 1.20 in the main ring at SIEC was a good result for a new combination.
Then we took off our jumping hat and put on the trick riding one. We had a trick riding clinic with a difference. Sponsored by Bridie Sparkes, Matt Coban and Heath & Krissy – the ‘Riata Ranch Cowboy Girls’ Jennifer Welsh-Nicholson and Brandi Phillips headed down under.
After hearing so much about them – it was fabulous to meet in person at last. What awesome people. Jennifer and Brandi were totally professional in their approach to trick riding – and the girls gained heaps of knowledge to further their trick riding. I learned to twirl a rope (badly) – and also play the piano (courtesy of Angela Chalmers Mum Margaret!!)
It was just like ‘getting the band back together’ – with Nature Vet Girls Girls Girls members
Christy Connor
Angela Chalmers
Cody Wilson-Peterson
Seann Pitman
Alicia Bourke
Teleah Jensen
Chloe Enriquez dropped in for a couple of days as well.
Then it was Christmas - which only meant a couple of days off as we were getting the jumpers ready for the Snowy Mountains Showjumping Festival in Cooma starting on the 3rd January.
Merry Christmas from Krissy, Heath, Wilbur & Bryan.
November 2011
Hawkesbury River Saddle Company has a huge month sponsoring events: - The Snowy River Stockman’s Challenge held at Jindabyne on the 6th November was supported with a saddle for the winner – and then it was on to Equitana.
EQUITANA -----OMG – what a huge undertaking – and thanks to the Equitana Team and all our mates that rallied around and helped us.
We were literally run off our feet for 5 days (one day of set-up in 30 plus degrees). Not only did we have the Hawkesbury River Saddle company trade stand, but Heath was working the Nature Vet Free Spirit Liberty Team in his demonstrations of liberty and long-reining AND we were running the Australian Women’s Extreme Trick Riding Championships AND we sponsored The Way of The Horse!
Congratulations to Greg Powell on winning The Way of The Horse and an Outlaw Master Saddle.
Congratulations to Teleah Jensen & Nel Carter for winning the Compulsory section of the Trick Riding Championships.
Congratulations again to Nel Carter & Lily Adams who won the Freestyle Sections – as well as the overall championships – collecting a Hawkesbury River white trick riding trophy saddle each.
One of the highlights for us of Equitana was the beautiful piece of work between Okkie and Sarah Moir. Sarah is one of the 'String Angels' - and did the most beautiful piece working with Okkie and her violin. Hopefully we can see this again - as it was so emotive and made a beautiful interlude to the dressage.
October 2011
Cascade (better known at home as Norman) – did a fabulous job working on a Tab Corp Commercial – wearing a red wig and a fascinator! Not the easiest thing to do to get him to keep all that on his head.
We then moved into another commercial – this time for Japco Productions with Okkie (Heath’s white liberty horse) – working exceptionally well to get some great shots. We won’t see this commercial – as it was shot for the Japanese market.
Next – Heath was in the truck driving to the Gold Coast for the Magic Millions fashion shoot for Harper’s Bazaar and other ACP magazines. Okkie was backed up by Dingo (doing his first shoot), and Heebee. A nice easy shoot for Heath – as it was stills only – and a great way to ease Dingo into his new career.
Phew – still busy. Krissy & Nakita took off to the Australian Showjumping Championships at Dubbo. This was Quality Euro’s 2nd show with me in the saddle. He was fabulous. I jumped my first 1.30m class in 10 years. A bit rusty – but got the job done for a 3rd placing. Now can’t wait until the next show!
Heath, Teleah & Lily arrived at Dubbo in time to entertain with some trick riding. It was nice of Heath to drive all that way to support our sport of showjumping – paying all costs out of his own pocket!!
September 2011
Heath weaved his magic again with another Liberty Training Master Class. We had huge fun all week with Spike (from Queensland) – Darren & Lincoln (from Victoria), & Jennifer & Sam from NSW.
Hawkesbury River Saddle co sponsored the Australian Titles Team Penning held at the AELEC centre in Tamworth. We had our trade stand there – and had great fun watching some really good work with the cattle. The Australian Championships was won by the Upper Murray Team from Victoria.
Then it was back home – quickly working horses and away to Gundagai for the NSW State Showjumping Championships. Quality Euro had his first start with me in the saddle. It was always going to be huge fun – and even better winning a couple of ribbons in the 1.15 and 1.20m classes.
August 2011
24th August – “Quality Euro” arrived at Mount White. Heath & I went to the Quarantine Station at Eastern Creek to pick him up. He looked absolutely fabulous – fat, shiny & well.
After being in Quarantine for 3 weeks – he was definitely ready for a ride. What a super horse. I’m very lucky to own him.
Earlier in August, Heath & I travelled to Emerald in Queensland where Nel Adams married Steve Carter – what a fun wedding. The bride & her sister Lily are totally tricking riding mad – they even did it in their wedding clothes!
The Nature Vet Girls Girls Girls performed at Penrith Show – a great showground with a track right in front of the grandstand. Thanks to Christy, Cody, Teleah, Lily & Alicia for a great performance.
June 2011
Congratulations to Troy Palmer on winning the Hawkesbury River "Outlaw Master" trophy saddle at the NCHA Stockman's Challenge, AELEC.
Pictured below are 9 of the best horsemen in the country! Left to Right: Jason Narine, Troy Palmer, Sam Webb, Mark Palmer, David Mitchell, Dan James, David Thorne, David Winter, Ryan Pentergast
May 2011
Month of May was very exciting - and life changing for me. Heath & I went to Abu Dhabi to visit the Camle Clinic & Alex Tinson & to spend some time with Ali Al Ameri. It was a fabulous 4 days. We then flew to the UK, where we did some really good saddle business - and are now waiting on a jumping saddle that I designed & a dressage saddle designed by Heath. How the process goes - is that we receive the first saddles and use them to death. We make a few changes etc - and then get anothe one done. It might take 4 or 5 saddles before we are happy with them - and then we go into produciton.
So - with a bit of time in the UK - we went down to Brighton to visit Chris & Karen Wellings. Whilst with the Wellings mob - we went to heaps of saddleries - the Aussie dollar making the good name jods etc a great price over there. We also went to a dealer yard and rode a couple of horses. OMG - I rode a lovley stallion - and with fingers crossed - he will be owned by us this week!! More information when the deal is actually done.
Krissy, Heath & Karen on the top of the Hickstead bank - a pity we didn't get the bottom of the bank in the shot - it is absolutely gob smacking that anyone could ride a horse down it - and then jump at the bottom!
It's going to be fantastic - will kick me back into the saddle in a big way - so lookout shows - I'll be driving in the gate at as many as I can get to.
So it was back from UK - get the horses & Nature Vet GGG ready and hit the road for Dubbo Show. The GGG were great, and Ab Initio went better & better each start. Frosty was a bit gob smacked with the atmosphere - but only being my 2nd show on him - it was OK, and Norman got all the way there to end up with a foot abscess - and sat in the stables for 3 days.
Christy Connor on Kenny at the Dubbo Show - the girls had fun buying some fab new comstues from the circus - which was also performing at Dubbo.
(photo of Ab Inito & Krissy courtesy of Tim Dreverman)
DUBBO SHOW SPONSORSHIP FROM HAWKESBURY RIVER SADDLE COMPANY - TEAM PENNING CHAMPIONSHIPS.
CONGRATULATIONS TO DEBBIE BELL, PHILLIP BELL & MICK JENKINSON FROM MENDOORAN WHO WON THE HAWKESBURY RIVER STOCKMASTER FENDER TROPHY SADDLES.
Heath & I are up at the NCHA Cutting Final at AELEC, Tamworth. I really hope we sell heaps of saddles - as I've just spent heaps of money!!
March/April 2011
We are having a huge year already. I purchased a really nice little thoroughbred jumper “The Frosty” from David Cameron. He’s a scopey little horse that really suits me and I have high hopes for. A big thank you to Rod & Cathy Brown for helping me find him.
We sold “Barilla Bay” to Robyn from Raymond Terrace, and we wish her all the best with him. “Big Ponds” found a home with Tony & Vonnie at Peat’s Ridge. Tony (6’4” concreter by profession) had a small 16hh Warmblood gelding “Max” that didn’t really suit him, and I (5’2” or 159cm) have had “Big Ponds” for ages – as he was 17.1&1/2 hh and although really quiet, I struggled to get the best out of him – so we swapped.
I am a firm believer that nice horses find themselves nice homes – and Tony & I are both really happy with the exchange. It is also so much fun playing with a new toy. Poor Max was worked more in the first 2 weeks of me owning him than in the last 2 years with Tony.
Hawkesbury River Saddle Company is powering ahead – we had a phenomenal Man From Snowy River Challenge at Corryong this year – selling 20 saddles in 4 days – that was something of a record for us. Congratulations go to Mallory Nankervis, who won the Hawkesbury River Saddle Company Trophy Saddle for the Ladies’ Stockman’s Challenge.
The Nature Vet GGG Extreme Trick Riding Team performed amazingly at Luddenham Show. We had Christy Connor from Taralga with “Kenny”, Alicia Bourke from Blayney with her horse “Joe”, Teleah Jensen from Narara with “Cleo”, Cody Wilson-Peterson with “Marion”, Grace Kaye with Kim Peterson’s “Bucky”.
Their next outing will be at the Dubbo Show where they will be performing both the trick riding and the Extreme Truck Stunt (don’t miss it – it’s wild!!)
January 2011
Phew – it’s hot. I suppose I shouldn’t complain – as the Central Coast has had much better weather than Queensland and Victoria. Both Heath & I extend our best wishes to all of those affected by the floods and cyclones.
Christmas/New Year for all of us horsey people is generally getting back to grass roots. Rose and Lily were away for the holidays – so Heath & I were on stable duty. I forget how nice it is to feed your own horses – it is the one time in the day when they truly love to see you!
Work couldn’t stop – as we were off to the Snowy Mountains Showjumping Festival on the 3rd of January. What a fabulous show run by the MEA – Congratulations to the whole committee and especially to Tim Dreverman as president and his sister Sarah & Mum Sue in the office - a great effort.
Cascade had his first Maiden D grade start – with a 4th placing, Big Ponds jumped some clear rounds but wasn’t fast enough with me in the saddle, so we had a rider swap and James Mooney rode him for a couple of classes. James definitely looked more comfortable than me, as Big Ponds is 17.1 & 1/2 hands high.
Big Ponds (above left with Krissy - and right with James).
Lily Adams, in her first showjumping competition ever placed 2nd on Barilla Bay – a nice 4 year old from Tasmania having his 3rd show. We also took the Hawkesbury River Saddle Co truck, and sold 3 saddles (which sort of pays for the showjumpers). And to top it off - the Nature Vet Girls Girls Girls performed in front of a very appreciative crowd on Friday and Saturday.
(above) Barilla Bay and Lily Adams - both new to showjumping - and doing a great job.
Below: Lily and Reilly on the left & Teleah with Cleo on the right - performing for Nature Vet Girls Girls Girls at Snowy Mountains Showjumping Festival. The girls loved it and so did the crowd. For the first time, they got to perform to "After Dark" - a fabulous cover band that really belted out some good stuff.
End of January saw us at Morisset Show – with Ab Inito placing 3rd in the C Grade and Big Ponds placing 6th in the 1.00m class. 1st in the 1.00m class was taken out by Gunderman (owned by us and ridden by Steve Rickards).