A lot happened in that eight months but I will probably only end up talking about the big stuff as that is what happens when you don't write regularly.
The saddest news is that I lost Sammie 6 weeks ago. On April 13th My beautiful Sammie passed away peacefully in my arms. I think she had some sort of aneurism and passed pain free. It was a dreadful day and a total shock but I really could not have asked for a better way for her to go. I just wish I could have spent another couple of years with her. She was in SUCH good health and was a happy girl. I miss her!!!
Brina is really well and loving being an only dog. :-/ To start with she was very quiet out on walks and didn't really leave my side but now she is back to her normal bouncy self. She is also now an incredibly 'huggy' dog which has helped me HUGELY in the last 6 weeks. I am hoping that she won't be an 'only' dog for too long though. There are plans afoot that I will reveal at a later date.
Spyke and Tai are both still very well. Spyke is now on holiday after a REALLY busy summer (more on that soon). I had planned to keep him going through the winter but I lost a lot of motivation for a few weeks after Sammie died and then winter arrived and it just seemed a bit hard. It won't hurt him at all to have a bit of a break as he worked REALLY hard for me over the last year.
We competed at registered show hunter over the summer. This was a BIG step up from the winter series and, while we didn't cover ourselves with glory, we were not out of place competing at that level. We managed a couple of placings, including a third at the World Cup show in the metre class. We certainly didn't come close to achieving my goal of qualifying for HOY (You need to gain 20 points and we got a grand total of 4 for the season) and I CONSTANTLY beat myself up about not achieving it but, if I am realistic, it was a big hairy audacious goal. It was possible but not likely. I have to keep reminding myself that this time last year I was competing at 60cm classes and was TERRIFIED and now I am competing at a metre (and am even MORE terrified. LOL Those metre high oxers look ENORMOUS as you canter into them). While we are not placing we are not far off it. If I can just ride better and get more consistent we MAY start placing....and I REALLY want to get better!!!!! In a lot of ways we are doing the hard way as I simply can't afford regular lessons so that lessens my opportunities to improve myself. Still, it is all about the journey and Spyke makes the journey really enjoyable. I just wish I could do him the justice he deserves.
I am still baking, I LOVE baking but it is hard as keeping the 18kg that I lost at bay is a constant battle NOT helped by baking. And, of course, now that I am not riding I am also lacking exercise so I have to work REALLY hard at eating less. Not easy when the café in the building makes THE most amazing chocolate croissants!!!!!
The family are all well. I guess the big family news is that Mum and Dad have sold their house that they have lived in for 25 years and have moved to Hawkes Bay. They went down there eight months ago for a wee holiday and never came back. Next month they are moving into a lovely brand new townhouse in a retirement village in Hastings. It is PERFECT for them. :-)
I will finish off now as my toes are starting to freeze here in the spare room. Here are a few pics from the last little while. Many of them in honour of my beautiful NZ Champion Sam I Am of Estcarp, My beautiful Sammie Sue.
And Finally, Spyke over a metre.
