On the 22nd of September I set off on the Spirit of Tasmania headed for my first ever mainland trip with my Dad and while thoroughbred gelding Paddy had travelled two days prior with Hayley Sheehan from Tasmanian Horse Transport. I competed in the Godolphin Australian Interschool Championships held at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre from the 25th until the 29th.
On the morning of the 23rd Dad and I set off on the monstrous 10 hour drive to Horsley Park in Sydney, it was a rather boring drive but we did see the occasional massive Kangaroo that wouldn't die if you hit it with a car but kill your car instead. If we had a dollar for every time we saw a truck on the freeway we’d be able to fund my next trip to Interschool’s no problem. After hours we finally arrived in Sydney and we're able to go see Paddy at Cobbitty Lodge.
On Saturday the 24th it was time for Paddy to be taken into the Equestrian Centre and what was meant to be a smooth transition and smooth passing of a check of his registration papers and vet check turned into turmoil with his forgotten rego papers still sitting in the hotel room 30 minutes away! It was a bit too early to let Dad loose in Sydney by himself so we were lucky enough to have our wonderful Tasmanian team manager Jamie Buckby come to the rescue and hold Paddy outside the vet check while Dad and I raced back to get the papers. He passed vet check and registration check perfect and we were all set in the Tasmanian stable block for what was going to be an incredible week of competing.
On Sunday the 25th all states gathered at the massive indoor arena awaiting the opening ceremony, unfortunately Tasmania was the smallest team with only 8 riders representing the state, but as we all told each other, ‘we may be small but we won't go unnoticed’ we sure made an impact when we went into that ceremony!
We were all lucky enough to witness the magic that was Alicia Burton the free jump rider from New Zealand and I have to say what an incredible lady and what a role model. In her presentation she spoke about her life and how even if you have nothing you can become something and when people say you can't do something to go and prove them wrong, it spoke to all of us as riders on a lot of levels as many have had these experiences and I just want to say if you are someone a little less fortunate or you have nay sayers, dream and dream BIG because you can make yourself something if you work hard and set yourself goals. She spoke to us about how she wanted to be like everyone else and how it's important to be your own person, how you don't always have to bring home ribbons but to go out enjoy the sport we love and even more so enjoy and love our horses as they are incredible creatures that give us so much freedom.
Monday the 26th as Tasmania had no riders in the Show horse section we all spent the day training and preparing our horses for the next day of competition. Mid afternoon most of us went out and walked the cross country course, we were in awe of the 2000 Olympic jumps! They were massive; some of them can be seen on my face book page so pop on over and have a look.
Later in the afternoon some of us were lucky enough to witness our wonderful team Captain Caitlin Radford practice for her Small Tour dressage to be held on the Thursday, unfortunately for me I happened to be on that same arena and to save myself too much embarrassment I politely went and stood on the sideline and watched Caitlin work her magic, she was such a role model for us and we were super lucky to have her as our Captain for 2016 her 8th Interschool Nationals and sadly her last.
Finally competition for most of us Taswegians begun on Tuesday the 27th, this day was going to be massive for me as I was first in the draw for the 90 show jumping championship to be followed by my 95cm combined training dressage (this would be interesting) and a race back to show jumping if I got in the jump off then followed by my 95cm show jumping round for Combined Training. I was lucky to get a clear round in my show jumping which meant I needed to be back to go as the first rider in the jump off, this soon turned out to be quite hectic, as I only had 30 minutes until my dressage and as most people know thoroughbreds after show jumping are hot horses. I was lucky to have Caitlin help warm me and Paddy up for dressage and she managed to slot me in 2 riders early so I could get back to jumping in time. During my dressage it was blowing a gale so much that one long side of the dressage arena blew over, but considering all the commotion Paddy and I managed a respectful test to place us into 7th. After dressage it was a massive rush to get to show jumping as I only had 5 minutes before I was meant to be on, when I got back to the stables to do my gear change nearly all the Tassie team and parents were there waiting for me as my pit crew, it was such a team effort and I was so grateful for all their help! I made it back to jumping in time but unfortunately took a rail in a heated jump off with some tough competition. Paddy and I then had a respectful jumping round for Combined Training to finish in the TOP 10!
Wednesday the 28th was a lot less hectic but wasn't as promising with a tired Paddy we only had one round of show jumping our speed class where we unfortunately took a poll, it was still a super enjoyable day.
On the final day the 29th we had our last round of Show jumping a two phase where we went double clear but big horses against pocket rocket ponies never had a chance against the clock so unfortunately Paddy and I missed out on a place, but I was still so pleased with how Paddy jumped and our performances all week. So this day marked the end of the Godolphin Australian Interschool Championships and I encourage anyone that is lucky enough to get the opportunity to go and do it because it is the best experience ever and you make so many cherished memories.
The Australian Youth Showjumping Festival held at the Camden Equestrian Centre from the 1st of October until the 3rd, was one of perseverance and hard work. The weekend started off with a very fresh Paddy and some slight issues that seemed to continue through the next couple of days, although we did have some super nice clears, there was some downs as well but with the help of Judy, Alysha and Jo we managed to get ourselves back on track and I can’t thank them enough for all their help and support, over that weekend. I made some lifelong friends and I'm so grateful for the experience. Paddy and I ended the weekend on a high with a THIRD in the Open Jumper Grand Prix on Monday.
So as we finished our competitions in NSW Paddy was loaded on the TAS Horse truck and transported back to Tasmania Monday afternoon. While myself and Dad travelled back to Tarcutta (Half way between Sydney and Melbourne) with some of our other Tassie members and friends after we battled against the weather gods late Tuesday afternoon. We then left early Wednesday morning for the final 4 and a half hour driver back to Melbourne and I tell you what if you think the drivers here in Tasmania are bad you have no idea about the main Landers! They're actually crazy. We reached the Spirit Dock at 6 that night and were all set for what was to be the finally leg of our incredible and unforgettable adventure.
I’d like to thank Judy Kilby, Jamie Buckby, Jo McFarlane, Caitlin and Sharni Radford, The Monty’s (Phil, Tanya, Alanah and Laura), The whole Tasmanian Team, Hayley Sheehan (Tas Horse Transport), Cobbitty Lodge, Showjumping Tas North, My Family and Friends and everyone else that kindly supported and donated towards my trip! Hopefully on my next Mainland adventure I’m joined by some LPRC riders!
Sam Bessell xx
