I never let myself dream he would be trotting around with a rosette!!

I think every dressage rider dreams when they buy a foal that one magical day he will grow up and become a Grand Prix horse, and then one magic night he will somehow qualify to do a Grand Prix Freestyle Sydney CDI Event.

I never let myself dream he would actually be trotting around with a rosette in the winners enclosure! Or that he would stand rock steady happily being admired while everyone clapped.

I am utterly blown away!

Bringing Jacaranda into a competition is a mix of pleasure and pain for me because he is so laid back that he is fed racehorse cubes and rested. So, I usually spend the week before being jumped on and giving my monkey grip a workout during his ‘pleasant’ and ‘restful’ trail rides.  I often sport a blue foot or hand, perhaps a nice dose of whiplash so he can prance with joy for me, and not fear of me!

The support of my friends has been incredible and makes me tear up a bit. The well wishes, messages and comments are just so kind. The comments about our horses and their happy return to competition this year have been so gracious and honest and I am grateful.

Thank you to everyone who believed in me all along, most especially my husband who just kept holding my hand... or the frozen peas, or the crutches so I could dig a little deeper and do what I love so much.

My family, my coach, my friends, our farrier, my students, our vet, our sponsors, our dentist, our osteopath, our amazing feed man and also to Coles for the frozen peas. Just couldn’t do it without you.

Oh and Greg Andrews – You sure know how to pick a good foal!