Aurum Activity!

This image is courtesy of Eques Photography, thanks Jackie!

After a big break from competition Aurum Riviere d’Or (aka Patch) had an outing at Werribee Park NEC on the 3rd of October in the AWHA Dressage competition.

As he had not been out since May, Patch was a little anxious at first but as usual settled quite quickly. Of course he is now considered to be a 5 year old (even though he does not have his birthday until February 17th 2010) so we were entered in the 5 year old Young Dressage Horse class as well as the Novice and Elementary classes. It was a big day for him but a successful one.

The first test was the Novice and I was really happy with the way Patch handled his very first Novice competition. He scored 72.78% and a win! Next was the YH class in arena 1. Patch was pretty tense (for him) and this time only managed 4th place which for his first 5 year old class was still pretty pleasing.

Following this Patch had his first Elementary start, all in one day! This time he finished in second place.

All in all a pretty happy trip!

The following Saturday we headed off to Treehaven for another 5 year old class and 2 elementary tests. October is full of new experiences for Patch. This was his first test on grass (and on the side of a highway) which he thought was very interesting. Grass is for eating not working on! We were just out of the placings in the elementary but with a score of 7.06 won the 5 year old.

Next stop Albury Wodonga Equestrian Centre Dressage Championships. This was a long trip and we had to go up Friday night but the thought of a pleasant weekend in the sun was appealing. We did Elementary on Saturday for a 5th placing, and Novice on Sunday for a 6th. When we left to come home Patch was in 3rd place with 4 scores still to go up in the second Novice test.

We are very pleased with the progress Patch is making and he made quite a few new friends at Albury with his fairly relaxed take it all in your stride attitude. He is of course still a ‘teenage’ stallion and is easily distracted by the rather gorgeous girls all over the place. Once under saddle though he knows his job and is learning his trade well.

We may have another start in the next few weeks and should be making an appearance at the Dressage Festival in December.
This weekend Patch’s younger full brother Aurum Revoir (aka Derby) moved to his new home in SA with the Flynn family. Derby took the trip in his usual laid back style although we are told that on arrival he had to show off to the younger Aurum Simply Brilliant (aka Mega) who is already well settled and ‘in charge’ of the farm.

At right is a snap sent to us by Dale Flynn (up and coming young event-rider extraordinaire) of Derby, left, and Mega tucked in for the night.