How cool is this?

[Kathryn]

I just love the whole concept of being able to access all the other dressage dudes out there in cyber land.

Okay-my story so far. Had horses since I was about 13. Did the whole Pony Club thing back in my home town of Mornington in Victoria, along with showing big time. Got sick of acquiring racehorse rejects that were stunning but broke my heart (but, fortunately, no actual bones) so moved onto a gorgeous Welsh weanling whom I broke in and subsequently did really well with at Royals/Nationals, etc. Moved to Sydney, got married and had babies and, just prior to moving here (and to celebrate our good sense to leave Sydney) bought a lovely 2 yo 1st cross Trakehner mare by Tallyho Voltaire (Kaliber lines), just broken in.
She is now 4 and, after a year wasted with chronic dumb things like getting over a grass seed in her eye, half my new arena washing down the hill after all that rain last year, a stone bruise that escalated into an abscess and took FOREVER to heal, etc etc, is now back in training. She just keeps impressing me with her attitude and her capacity for learning.

I decided a while ago that I'd outgrown showing, and because I always came from a dressage orientation (and even learnt from the likes of Dirk Dijkstra at one stage) it's time to get real with my competing again. So now it's time to get my mare out and about and this forum will be great for getting all the goss on training days, competitions, etc.

So bear with me, I'll try to absorb all the info. I can from here but I'll still need to ask a dumb question every now and then!

[Equine Elegance]

Welcome Kathryn.

Have lots of fun with your mare. Hope you have lots of fun here too, and no question is a dumb question, so ask away!

[ann]

Welcome, Kathryn

We have lots of members down your way, so you will get to see them and others at events in places like Murwillumbah, Bangalow and Guanaba (NADEC). And of course at the next DressageIT lunch, if you can make it!

Best of luck with the young mare. Isn't it amazing how the youngsters can keep themselves out of work for such silly reasons?

[gIlBeRt]

Welcome Kathryn!!!

I hope you have fun with your mare and in here too!!!

You live in such a beautiful part on the country!!! I love Tweed area...

Very jealious!!!:mad: hehe

[reenie]

hi Kathryn,

I have just joined this too. All the best with your mare, hopefully all the dramas are of the way now and you can concentrate on enjoying her!!
I have just acquired a riding pony who i will do little pony dressage on, but also hope to do a bit of showing, so i will have to get some tips since you are quite the seasoned competitor there. I can be the one asking the dumb questions!!

[Franca]

Welcome, Kathryn! And thanks for a bit of your story - will be looking forward to updates on how you and your mare do together. What is her name? Can you post a pic?

Nobody here needs to worry about asking dumb questions as I don't think there are any members who know less about dressage than I do! I have watched quite a few videos of clinics and competitions, read articles and so forth, but of course it's not the same as actually doing it. However, I have finally had a couple of dressage lessons (in my western saddle, I admit, but at my level I assure you the saddle doesn't make a bit of difference, LOL) and am hoping to continue on in between trail rides. ;)

I am fortunate to have a nice, balanced western saddle that puts my legs under me instead of out in front, and it fits my mare better than my dressage saddle does at the moment. The dressage saddle is a Wintec Isabell with the changeable gullets so after we've had some more consistent work I'll try fitting it to her again. She has never "complained" about it, but I'm pretty fussy about saddle fit. My Wintec A/P fits her better than the Isabell dressage saddle; unfortunately I think my leg position is better in my western saddle! Ah, well, never mind - I'm doing "cowboy dressage". :D

[Kathryn]

Thanks for the welcome! It's great to feel not quite so alone, and to know that everyone is so nice and helpful. My mare's name is Viva la Diva (great name hey, I wish I could lay claim to having thought it up) and I drive a green Discovery with a silver float so if you see us out there come up and say hello!

[Franca]

Oh, Kathryn, that is a great name for a mare! You don't have to tell anyone you didn't think it up. ;) Do you call her Viva or Diva or something else altogether?

My little filly had a name already when I got her at 7 mos. old. She wasn't registered yet so I could have changed it, but I decided I liked it ... even though everyone always thinks she must be a gelding! Her full name is "Ray Seven" but she's always been called "Seven". The story behind the name is so bizarre I've saved a text file somewhere that explains it because I can never remember. It would be so much easier if she were named after Star Trek: Voyager's Seven-of-Nine (I can relate to that ;)) but she isn't.

[ab0275]

Hi Kathryn, you might like to visit your local equestrian groups website. www.tveg.org.au we just had an event on Sunday. We were having a hack day this Sunday but of course it is a little wet ;-) anyway, welcome andhope to see you soon at one of our events. Amanda

[Freya]

Welcome to the forum Kathryn! Everyone on here is helpful so ask away if you have any questions! Good luck with your horsie!

[Kathryn]

Hi Kathryn, you might like to visit your local equestrian groups website. www.tveg.org.au (http://www.tveg.org.au/) we just had an event on Sunday. We were having a hack day this Sunday but of course it is a little wet ;-) anyway, welcome andhope to see you soon at one of our events. Amanda

Thanks for that Amanda-I did actually drop in and chat to you on Sunday at Mur'bah but you were very busy. I am planning to join TVEG and will try to get along to the next meeting.

Cheers,

[anita]

Welcome Kathryn!!!

Good luck with your mare.. and have fun with this site, it is addicting!!

xoox stef

[ab0275]

Ahh were you the young lady who Kim said are you a judge and then noticed you were getting your baby out of the back seat???

It will be great to see you at some of our events - if you are into helping, I am sure we can find some jobs for you ;-) Something easy and that won't take your time from competing (sol)..

Welcome and hope to see you again maybe next time I can chat to you (Ha, Ha)