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| Capricorn Super Surface I would like to thank Lou Verwey for supplying tyre feed bins for my horses. I recommend them for stables and out doors as they are strong and durable. They can be used for hay and chaff with no spills. Lou also shreds rubber tyres to make the best arena surface around (I know as I've had it put in my arena and I couldn't be happier). If you are interested, please have a look at the website www.supasurface.com.au . |
| TOE STOPPERS Some of you may have noticed that I am a big fan of "Toe Stoppers" as a safety device whilst riding. I have been using the toe stoppers religiously in training and competing cross country, show jumping and especially breaking in young horses for many years and can highly recommend them. Adrian Morgante who has designed and manufactured them, is constantly trying to improve his product in the looks and efficiency department. He has won many best invention awards all around the world and is now getting support from the racing industry. I teach many beginner children and adults to ride. I never have a saddle that a Toe Stopper isn't on for them as it is nerve racking to see them lose balance with their feet stuck right through the stirrups. For those of you parents that have children that think they are "uncool" then remind them that one of our top equestrian riders Megan Jones wore them at the World Championships. Also show them the photo's of myself throughout the website, and Brittany Grovenor (who won the state pony championships last year), and really, you do have to look twice to see that they are there. |
Sponsors and Endorsed Products
| Dear readers, Sydney 3 day event was a fantastic event for myself and my two Japanese students Naoki Okawa and Masanobu Ito. Both International riders had just two weeks before the event to get used to borrowed horses from Australia and compete at an International event. Masa (19) rode a lovely looking horse called Bandman owned by Kylie Hall from Sydney. Naoki (21) rode a very striking Appaloosa gelding called Mr Apples. Both horses and riders were very different to train, and with limited English at times spoken by the boys, it was a challenge. Both Masa and Naoki are young and enthusiastic, and in between lessons, they taught me about Japanese language and culture. Sydney once again held a beautiful event with the weather this year being in our favour. I was first to ride Just a Blonde in the pre-novice 3 day event. He warmed up beautifully but unfortunately he was a little spooky in the main arena and he struggled to keep his rhythm in the deep sand. We ended up 15th out of 50 which was a bit disappointing. He received good scores from two out of the 3 judges, but unfortunately the New Zealand judge wasn't impressed at all with him. Masa was next to go on Bandman. He did a fabulous job guiding him around the test and other than the walk being tense, he did a good job ending up 4th overall in the Asia Pacific Challenge. Naoki on Mr. Apples did a very neat accurate test. He ended up 2nd which was a great result. |
| Kelecyn Equestrian Services new website I had the pleasure of training with Kevin McNab at the NSW Equestrian centre with Heath Ryan. He is currently one of the top horse trainers in the country. He is extremely professional and easy to deal with, and his site is definitely one to have a look at. I recommend that Kevin will give honest opinion about any of his horses for sale. Here is a link to his website. www.kelecyn.com.au |
| NEW SPONSORSHIP WOW SADDLES Want a comfortable, unique taylor made saddle just for you and your horse. Then try WOW saddles newly imported by my fantastic sponsor Julia McLean of Kiah Equine. Once you sit in them you cant help but say the word....."WOW". Not only can riders choose their preferred seat, flap and knee roll with panel and girthing options that come together in a saddle designed for both horse and rider but they get a saddle packed with highly desirable features. Also imported are the Korector pads. This is an innovative idea of air bags inside the pad. You can inflate the pad according to the horses shape and saddle fit. It is great for horses with sore backs, loss of muscle in an area and fantastic for horses with very high narrow withers. It stops saddles from having pressure points which leads to back problems and makes for a more comfortable ride for your horse. Website address and link www.kiah.com/ Pictured right Just a Blonde at SIEC with the WOW jump saddle Photo by Derrick O'leary |
| The cross country course seemed challenging for the pre novice, but proved fairly easy to make the time and to get around safely. There was not alot of trouble in the Pre Novice class, but the standard of young horses and riders were outstanding. Look out in a few years when these horses make it up the grades. Flipper and myself only moved up one place after the cross country. The Asia Pacific riders were a mixed bag of experience. I was confident my two riders were amongst the best of the competition, and they proved me right with both riders coming home clear and under time. Masa moved up to 3rd place and Naoki held his 2nd position. The horses all trotted up well the following day and we were ready to tackle the show jumping. I was disappointed the showjumping was a little soft on height. Most fences were only about one metre high for the pre novice. There were plenty of rounds with only one rail down but also alot of clear rounds. Flipper jumped well but unfortunately took one rail. We still managed to move up to 12th overall. Masa rode Bandman extremely well in the Asia Pacific Challenge. He cleared all fences impressively bar one adding 4 penalties to his score. He moved up to 2nd place putting pressure on the leaders. Naoki's horse Mr. Apples showjumping skills aren't the horses strongest point. Despite Naoki's best efforts, the horse knocked many rails dropping Naoki back to 7th place. This didn't reflect on the way he rode. Masa ended up 2nd overall behind Korea's Sung-soo Kim which was a fantastic result on one of the greener horses in the field. |
| Pictured above left: Masa and Bandman showjumping at SIEC Pictured left: Naoki and Mr. Apples |
| LESSONS AT GUNGAHLIN EQUESTRIAN CENTRE I am currently starting up regular lessons at Gungahlin Equestrian centre in Canberra. At the moment I am doing Wednesday fortnights, but will consider doing other days if the numbers permit. Please let me know if your interested and I will fit you in for lessons ASAP. Price is $70 per lesson including arena hire. Please contact me on 0402281285 or e-mail natalie@natblundellequestrian.com for more details or bookings. |
| BHM BLACK MAGIC pictured left This is my new addition to the family. Magic is a colt by the imported spanish stallion Gallero out of my Warmblood mare Raynick Arizona. He is absolutely stunning and I am looking forward in seeing how he turns out in the future. Ari is going back to Gallero this year to see if we can get a filly. |
MAIN EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY
MAIN EVENT PHOTOGRPHY