Lambrook Equestrian

06/07/2024

Amazing way to spend a Saturday night!
Aus!!

!

26/06/2024

Lambrook Equestrian was named after the village where my husband was born in the UK. On Monday I got to visit this village for the first time. It was beautiful, peaceful and felt like home! The house where Pete was born had “Lambrook” running along its border and even had stables out the back on a couple of acres! No horses though… A very special day for Pete to share this place with our family 🥰

19/05/2024

21/10/2023

Finally time to sit still and reflect on the last 7 weeks!

At the start of September, Sergi and I headed off to Victoria for 6 weeks of boot camp and competitions, with the goal of competing at the Stable Ground Australian Dressage Championships 2023. Sergi was very lucky to be able to stay at CJ Park with Chris, Jason and Travis providing amazing care. I have been so fortunate to have the support of my wonderful coach Charlotte Pedersen and her family Rob, Minnie, Oscar and Ginger, along with my bestie Penny and Grant when down on the beautiful Mornington Peninsula.

The 6 weeks was extremely inspiring to be around so many professional horse people, being able to attend 5 competitions, ride at 3 of them, watch clinics with Peter Storr and Spencer Wilton, have Charlotte ride Sergi when I returned home for work and to have many back to back lessons. I met so many lovely people and learned so much.

After only 3 competitions in the past 18 months, it was an excellent opportunity to try new things, play with our competition warm ups, and get our focus back on the small details. I can’t believe how many of those little things I felt so out of practice with. Our two warm up competitions there was lots of trial and error, little mistakes and big learning curves.

The Australian Dressage Championships at Boneo Park nearly everything came together. Sergi was super. He looked and felt wonderful. We got to compete in the PSG on Thursday in the indoor and completed an energetic, mistake-free test. Certainly room for improvement, but I was very happy. We equaled our personal best score for 4th place 🎉🏆On Friday, we had the Inter 1, and our warm up felt incredible, Sergi was on fire and really listening to me. Unfortunately during the test, my lungs decided to let me down and I started having an asthma attack. This causes me to lose my coordination and balance. I really must have confused poor Serg, and in hindsight, I should have retired. That final halt down the centreline couldn’t come quick enough for me. We still managed a respectable score and 6th place, but was far from the test I was hoping to ride only minutes earlier. I could not be more proud of my beautiful pony though 🥰

It was awesome to see such a super group of talented quality ponies and riders coming through the FEI classes. It was the loveliest bunch of ladies to compete with. So positive and friendly. Fabulous to meet some of the riders I’ve been following for ages and catch up with old friends. I’m looking forward to next time!

As soon as our tests were over, Sergi and I were back on the boat to come home. An awfully rough crossing, but Sergi has travelled so well and is enjoying a well deserved week off.

There’s been so many highlights, many non-horse related! New friendships made, spending time with old friends, seeing Moulin Rouge on stage, Izzy coming over for 5 days - she even came to a competition with me 😱 I haven’t quite managed to get her to touch the horses yet 🤣 but she was very helpful! Catching up with my sister Nicki, Artvo, Chadstone, and exploring so many beautiful new areas. A big part of me could easily live in Victoria!

After so many months of planning for this trip, it’s a strange feeling now that it’s all over. Time to refocus on the next step. But also reflect on what has been an amazing experience that I couldn’t have done without so many people.

Charlotte, I couldnt have done this without you! Huge congratulations on your performances with Dan too 😍
CJ Park for caring for Sergi like one of your own.
Denise for always supporting everything Sergi and I dream about doing!
Amy for keeping me focused and inspired throughout the short winter days!
Penny for looking after Sergi and I on our trips to the peninsula.
Sergi’s team of Roderick, Steph, Anushka and Alistair who have helped him to look and feel so fabulous.

And of course biggest thanks to my super supportive family who are always encouraging to chase my dreams, even when it means I’m away so much xx

04/06/2023

It’s been a long six weeks since arriving home from our Boneo weekend. Sergi hasn’t been himself and although we haven’t been able to find anything to be concerned about, it’s still been a worry. Finally in the past few days, his spark has returned and he’s feeling much more like the pony I’m used to. Luckily it was just in time for a fabulous weekend of training with a great group of friends and the always inspiring Jenny! Huge thanks to our wonderful hosts, Bert and Peter, for another amazing weekend. Lots of new homework now!!

16/04/2023

Just spent a fun filled 4 days at Boneo Park for the Carlton Performance Horses Autumn Spectacular with my favourite pony! 3 days of FEI classes and getting to compete against some of Australia’s best. Sergi and I had some super moments and some reminders that there’s lots to work on 🤣 But to have an international judge give us his highest pony score in the PSG, and a PB from one judge of over 66% in the Inter 1 are certainly highlights, along with Reserve Champion Small Tour pony to the incredible Kristy Sparkes and Vinnie 😍

Sergi and I were so lucky to have Denise fly down from qld to support us, Amy to be chief strapper and Penny being our cheer squad and hosting us all. Thank you for being there for me! Also huge thanks to super coach Charlotte for warming us up and Tasmanian Horse Transport for taking Sergi to Victoria for me.

Now that we have all our qualifiers, it’s time for both Sergi and I to get fitter and stronger over winter and keep aiming for Nationals in October!

01/03/2023

Check out this fabulous story in EQ life magazine! Thank you Mim and Trish xx

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10159742695042599&id=698042598&mibextid=0cALme

13/02/2023

More pony spam from Saturday night Master Class with Gary Lung! A big thank you to Karen Allen for organising the whole event. Also thanks to Makers Mark Equine for providing us all with matching tops and to Trish for the photos!

12/02/2023

Finally after 11 months of being on the sidelines due to long covid, it was great to be back riding in front of a crowd again. Thank you to Dressage TAS Southern Zone for bringing to TAS and hosting the clinic and last night’s masterclass at the stunning Coal Valley Equestrian Centre. It was a great opportunity to learn something new and meet some lovely new people. Forever grateful to my patient pony for putting up with his unfit rider and looking forward to getting back to competition soon when we are strong enough.

01/05/2022

Finally back In the saddle post - covid. Thanks to Charlotte and gehrke for the motivation heading into winter!!

03/04/2022

Dressage With The Stars!

What an amazing 10 days away surrounded by beautiful horses! So lovely to get back to the mainland after all the covid interruptions, and spend the time with so many who share our passion.

Taking the gorgeous 4 year old Deveron Prince Regent (Billy) across the water was a big ask for a pony who had only competed 5 times prior, but he took everything in his stride and was easier than many more experienced horses I’ve previously travelled with!

We were so fortunate to spend the first 6 days at Hill Cottage Dressage with our coach Charlotte Pedersen and Rob for boot camp. I felt so welcome and it was such a well run, relaxing place. Getting to ride some other special horses is always a treat too!

Billy and I then moved into Werribee, where we were joined by his mum Denise Sutcliffe for the big competition and I couldn’t be more proud of him. He loved everything and our little stickybeak tried his hardest at all times. As this was my first time at this competition, I had no expectations at all.

The first round of the 4 yo ponies on Thursday was anything but smooth sailing when I realised that I had learnt the wrong test just as it started. Luckily it was the command test and Billy was completely focused on me. The judges comments were so positive and they described him perfectly in their summary. We were over the moon with a PB of 77.2% and 3rd place!

For the finals on Friday, I made sure I learnt the correct test! With Charlotte reminding me to breathe in the warm up, all again went well and Billy and I did our best. Again the judges were very positive for a 76.6% and 3rd over all! This also gave him Runner up Australian bred pony! Proud of this pony is an understatement!!

It was certainly a huge undertaking to get to this event and without our village of support, it certainly wouldn’t have been possible. Thank you so much to Billy’s amazing owner Denise, for all of your belief and trust in us. I couldn’t do this without you xx Thank you Charlotte for all the coaching and friendship xx To my team that keeps the horses A1, Roderick Le Fevre , Steph Brouder, Fred Johnson Equine Therapy Thank you! Alistair Brooks for taking on a new client in your busy schedule in Victoria! And lastly, I could never do this without the most wonderfully supportive family, Peter Milne Angus and Izzy 🥰😍😘

To Billy, it’s been an amazing 14 months with you, and an absolute privilege to be part of your journey. I was so sad to say goodbye to you last weekend, but know that you have an amazing new home in Queensland where you will have every opportunity to continue to shine. I, along with Paula, Kristin and Denise look forward to following your journey!

25/03/2022

So proud of Billy again today!

Final Round for 4 Year Old Young Dressage Ponies

Congratulations to the riders, owners and connections for their results in this class.

🥇Caitlyn Porter & MR RIGHT NOW 78.00%.

🥈Isabella Robertson-Dixon & AVELLA MORNINGSTAR 77.60%

🥉Michelle Milne & DEVERON PRINCE REGENT 76.60%

Image: Click Capture

24/03/2022

What a great start to DWTS!! So proud of Billy ❤️

17/03/2022

Boarding the boat to Dressage with the Stars!!!

07/03/2022

2022 Hygain Tasmanian Dressage Championships!

Thank you so much to North Zone Dressage Tas for running such a great championships. The grounds looked great and the arenas were lovely to ride on. Your help with all the scheduling and questions is greatly appreciated. It was such a fun weekend to catch up with so many lovely people and share our passion.

Day one Deveron Prince Regent competed in the Preliminary championship. Extremely happy with the first test for a win and over 70% score. Followed by a communication error in the second test for 3rd place, and Reserve Champion Preliminary Pony. Congratulations Millie on the championship!

Wembleybrook Sergio competed in the Open Inter 1, and whilst it was far from our best work, we were fortunate to win the class and the Tonnerre Memorial Trophy for the winner of the highest FEI test ridden at the state championships. I “think” this is the first time a pony has won this award and It’s an honour to be able to put our names on this alongside Tasmanian dressage royalty!

Day two Deveron Prince Regent competed in the 4yo class, gaining a score of 72.2% and his final qualification for DWTS in 2 weeks time! He was Reserve Champion Young Horse or Pony to the lovely Clearview Rain Dancer and Pene Moore. Congratulations Pene!!

Wembleybrook Sergio was back on track in the PSG, and whilst there were a number of rider errors, he felt fabulous and again produced the winning test to take out the Small Tour Championship and the stunning Shelagh Young trophy!

To end the weekend, Deveron Prince Regent was also awarded the Nora O’Shea shield for the highest scoring pony of the championships!

To say I am proud of both ponies is an understatement! But none of this would be possible without my village! To Denise Sutcliffe, owner of both these special ponies, thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to love and train the boys. I really appreciate everything you do for me and the ponies xx

To my coaches Charlotte Pedersen and Peter Fischer, your voices were in my ears all weekend! Thanks for all the time and effort you’ve put into me.

I was so lucky to have the best strappers for the weekend who made everything run smoothly! Thank you Cristy and Amy! You guys spoiled me and I don’t know what I would have done without you xx and special thank you to Jenny for being such a supportive addition to our pony team!

Of course I couldn’t do any of this without the love and support of my family 🥰

And a huge thank you to the sponsors of the weekend! I am very grateful for all the lovely prizes and vouchers!!

07/03/2022

Welcome to Lambrook Equestrian! I have created this page to keep my equine journey in one place. I look forward to sharing stories about my team of special four legged friends. Thanks for being part of the journey! Michelle x