Ballodair Park Equestrian Centre

13/11/2024

And here's the boy in action. I don't think we could love him any harder! He's got a heart as big as Australia.

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12/11/2024

Another overnight comp in the UK, this time for Odie (Asterix). And a big challenge for him, first time indoors with all the big scary sponsorship signs.

Despite being a bit shocked and unnerved, he tried his heart out (as always!) and took home the win with 71%.

So proud of him and Lyndal. The adventure continues!

09/11/2024

Another proud morning! Lyndal and Dean dancing their way through an Advanced test in the UK. He tries his heart out, this boy, and never disappoints. Next up is Odie, on Tuesday. Fingers crossed he has a good day!

Interestingly, Lyndal is now qualified for FEI Prix St Georges and above. In the UK once the rider is qualified, that's it. I think we should do that here, because it's far less complicated than having to qualify every horse every time.

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03/11/2024

And here they are in action. He's such a lovely, elegant boy, and a real sweetheart as well. So proud of them both!

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03/11/2024

Another super job by Lyndal overnight, with our boy Dean. His ongoing development is hugely rewarding. Like Lyndal, I don't have enough words of thanks and praise for coach Gareth Hughes, whose guidance continues to inspire.

On the home front, well, construction continues. We're definitely getting closer ...

Other news to share as well, but it will have to wait. There will be photos!

29/09/2024

So, there's a fourth pony in the UK. Lyndal came across him in Germany. He's Dean's half-brother (same sire) and he's the sweetest, sweetest boy. Not super big but incredibly super sensitive, which comes with its own unique set of challenges. Basti has lovely natural paces, he's very exciting to watch, but he's one of those horses that's always worried he's doing the wrong thing. Like his brother, he's so wanting to please that he can get in his own way. Working with that kind of horse is one of the greatest challenges in dressage, because you can ruin them in a heartbeat. It takes incredible patience and endless love to guide them along the path to their best selves. I am so blessed that Basti has Lyndal and Gareth on his side.

They have so much to teach us, these horses, if we can only recognise we have so much to learn.

25/09/2024

When you need a pedicure but really, you can't be bothered ...

21/09/2024

Well, more excitement overnight (our time) with Lyndal and Dean - aka Ballodair Park Dauphin - riding their second test in England. The win doesn't really count since he was a solo entry in his class, but we will happily take all the 8s he scored to finish with 71%. There's still much to work on, but he's on the right path. No words for how proud I am, and how grateful to Gareth Hughes and his incredible coaching. I just ... I have no words. And Lyndal continues to build her partnership with a horse who is one of the most finely-tuned and sensitive we've ever met. And that really is a double-edged sword.

Also, I can't resist more foal spam. This feisty little redhead is going to be another class clown, I can see it coming ...

21/09/2024

So, for some reason I had the super clever idea to breed one last time, this season. First mare due was our gorgeous WB girl Regal Diva (by Don Index), and the stallion was GRP Black Charming, who's our gorgeous little Diva's daddy.

Middle of the night Monday, baby decides it's time for the curtain to go up. Thank God for the tireless dedication of Ballodair Park manager Kirsty Douglas, because there was a hiccup during the birthing process, or possibly a little time before, and baby came out having ingested her meconium while still inside the intact birth sac. And that led to baby being born full of toxins and therefore compromised. But Kirsty was right there, in the thick of it, with her equally heroic husband, and soon after that super vet Marnie was on the scene. Some 16 hours later, with the invaluable assistance of staff member Eve and her partner Dave, Super Mum Mo and brave baby Bo (short for Bohemia) were on their way to Randwick Equine Hospital where vet Darien and the team leapt into action.

Because every single person mentioned above did their jobs brilliantly, we got a happy ending.

And now Mo and Bo are home, all is well, disaster averted, and Bo continues her post-foaling unscrunch. She's a gorgeous, feisty little girl who loves her zoomies and the milk bar, and Mo is just the most amazing mother who never once panicked about everything we had to do with her little girl.

One more baby to come. Cross your fingers for us, folks!

15/09/2024

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15/09/2024

Another UK adventure update, and I could not be more proud. Lyndal and Odie (Asterix) did their first test with flying changes, one of British Dressage's Advanced Medium (honestly, their system is a bit confusing!). He won with 72%, the only horse on the grounds to score over 70.

Still more to work on, but his confidence is growing with every challenge and at home he continues to amaze and delight with his willingness to tackle the really big, scary stuff like tempi changes, piaffe and passage.

Shifting to the UK to train with Gareth Hughes has changed our lives. I will never be able to thank him enough for his time, his talent, his incredible expertise, his generosity of spirit and his faith in Lyndal and our horses.

We all know dressage is a crap shoot. It's demanding, it's difficult, and there are no guarantees. One day you're up, the next you're on the floor. So enjoy the journey because that's all we can be sure of.

10/09/2024

It was wonderful to welcome Rebel here last time, and so satisfying to know that her students had a great time. Hope we see you at this one!

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31/08/2024