The Good Days and the Bad Days
On the 21 July 2012, Bangalow Creek Ravenleigh died. We have no idea why or how he died. I had been down to the stables the previous night to give him hay and he was as healthy and vibrant as always. When I returned the following morning he was dead. There was no sign of struggle and there was not a mark on him. We did not get an autopsy. He was dead and there was nothing could be done to change that.
Raven was my ‘special horse’. He was my Black Beauty and my Totilas. To me, he was the most magnificent horse I had ever known. He was beautiful, talented and clever. When I rode Raven I felt like we could do anything and achieve everything. I miss him terribly.
It takes a little while to ‘get back on the horse’ so to speak when you lose a horse that you love so much. You really don’t feel like following your dreams any more. But I am very lucky in that I had Just Dance, who is the most loveable and cheeky horse, just waiting for me to ride him. So I ‘got back on the horse’ and started preparing for the State Championships.
On the weekend of the 1st and 2nd of September I made my own personal history. Just Dance and I won the Elementary Champion at the NSW State Dressage Championships. We also won one of the Medium tests with a phenomenal score of 70%. Alas, as Roger Fitzhardinge wrote in his Equestrian Life article, JD just ran out of puff in his other test. He did feel a little tired and he just did not shine and to win in that level of competition you have to shine the whole way.
It was an amazing competition for us. Just Dance really rose to the occasion. All our training kicked into place at just the right time, and for once, all the hard work paid off. I love my little horse. He is just so honest and tries so hard. I am very proud of him and very honoured to have him as my partner on this dressage journey.
Next, we are off to the Nationals. There will be some big expectations. I will keep you posted....
Meanwhile, check out Equestrian Life Magazines article on the State Dressage Championships. JD and I were very kindly described as 'quiet achievers' and 'one to take notice of for the future'.
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