The show Saturday night was a blast. We drove 2 1/2 hours to get to the Waikato Polytech, in less than perfect weather conditions. Fortunately it was held indoors - it's never very nice at this time of year! There was a lot of chaos with various 'acts' getting ready and doing their last minute practise runs, and with some interesting seating arrangements (BYO chair, blankets) they managed to fit about 400 spectators in, with room to warm up (in the dark) behind them, and the arena (18 x 50m) in… Continue

Been busy this week preparing for the Dressage Waikato "American Idol" show, this weekend. I'm doing a Pas De Deux with another local rider, Debbie, whose horse is like Mr B's white twin. They are really cute together, I'm just hoping they don't mind performing in a crowded indoor.



It's nice to have a fun project like this to work on during the winter,… Continue

The vertigo I have been suffering turns out to be due to a condition called Meniere's Disease, or so I'm told...

It has been about 5 weeks since the first "attack" and I have only really been able to do normal activities for the last week, as I was unsure if I would be safe to drive, and to be honest didn't feel like going out for a few weeks there. After the extreme dizziness abated, there was just a constant feeling of "brain fog" and a buzzy feeling, like a swarm of tiny bees in my… Continue

Back to normal life often seems a bit dull in the aftermath of such an amazing event. I think it is known as PSDD (Post Show Depression Disorder). Symptoms are lots of paperwork to catch up on, empty bank account, large amounts of washing and cleaning, and (if one has been overseas) disbelief that the weather could have got so bad so quick...



To add to the tedium of it all I am currently incapacitated (can't ride or drive - aargh, kill me now!) with BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional… Continue

The CDI itself formally began on the Wednesday with veterinary inspection and the Trot-up which went smoothly for us with many compliments on our uniforms (and a few jokes about tea or coffee, chicken or fish - we did look a bit like flight attendants). Later in the evening there was an official welcome party in the VIP marquee where we had a chance to meet some of the other competitors over drinks and nibbles. I left early to pick up my friend, Kellie, who would be my groom for the show, at… Continue

This year Dressage NZ sent three horses and riders to Australia to compete at the Sydney CDI 3* International Dressage Event. I was lucky enough to be chosen to go, here is my take on the whole experience...

Mr B and I set off from home on the 27th of April headed for our first stop, Brooklands Park where we stayed for a couple of nights and some final tune-up lessons prior to… Continue

Well, it's over for another year...



HOY is the biggest equestrian event in the southern hemisphere, and a great sprawling beast of a show. It runs from Tuesday to Sunday, and includes show jumping, dressage, show hunter, saddle hunter, driving, breed classes, mounted games (eek!), ponies, hacks, small children dressed up like little dolls on exquisite little ponies wearing more make up than Paris Hilton, led by Mums who look like they are going to a wedding. This year there was…

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I have to pinch myself; I'm going to Sydney CDI - with a horse this time! It's an awesome opportunity to really make an impression over there, and one that I honestly didn't think I'd get, as we have not been so consistent this season.



It's a costly exercise, flying a horse to Aussie for (hopefully) 3 tests, so I'm getting my act together to do serious preparation, and get my trainer to come over. No-one else knows how to get us both firing like "Uncle Bill" does.…

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A friend sent this in an email the other day, and it really tickled me:





Why do I like horses? I reckon I must be mad.

My mother wasn't horsey - And neither was my dad.



But the madness hit me early – and it hit me like a curse.

And I've never gotten better. In fact…I've gotten worse.



My stables are immaculate. My house is like a hovel.

Last year for my birthday - I got a brand new shovel.



I hardly read a paper - but I know who's… Continue