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November 2009
Vale Solitude 1989-2009
Yes, it has happened yet again we have lost a very special horse-friend and once more I found myself in tears because we couldn't save his life. Soli fell, and seriously damaged his shoulder, during a thunder storm on Saturday afternoon. We don't know whether it was broken, dislocated or just suffered ligament damage but whatever it was proved so serious and painful that it was terminal. I left the final decision till the next morning and put him into a lane-way next to his horse friends. At first it looked as though he may make it as he ate his dinner plus Bute and seemed quite relaxed. When I checked him again at 10.30 pm Soli was in extreme pain so I collected a syringe of strong pain killer which I gave him and waited till it took effect. I left him standing quietly next to the gate with Johno keeping him company from the other side of the gate. Johno had dislocated his own shoulder some years earlier so seemed to empathise with Soli.
When I next visited Soli early on Sunday morning the pain killers were wearing off and he was again in pain so I realised that his time had sadly come. Fortunately he went down on his left side, the side of the injury and this gave him some relief so we had time to say our farewells. The dear fellow drank some water and even burred in appreciation when I poured some cool water over his hot body. Yes he was a very special horse and I won't be the only one who sheds tears when they learn of his passing. But please just remember the wonderful times you had with Soli. His last week was special. Soli loved day camps and the day camps this December were probably the best ever for both horses and riders. The instructors had prepared a fun programme and Soli had rides with special friends including Cameron. His final ride was with Renèe who rode him in the instructor's team and caught riders playing Red Rover in the tree paddock – Soli loved it!
Soli had all the characteristics of a near perfect riding school master. He was an honest, good natured, reliable, hard working horse with a great personality and communication skills. We all will remember his squeals of delight accompanied by a dance for joy when he was fed. He was never involved in paddock fights so didn't hurt other horses as Soli was content to spend most of his grazing time on his own, often in places such as steep river banks where other horses were frightened to venture, hence his bush name Solitude.
Soli taught hundred of children and adults to ride at Riverside including Joseph Ward who at 69 realised a lifelong ambition not only to ride a horse but to ride it competently. Fortunately Joseph saw Soli again just two weeks ago. A 75 year old Japanese gentleman also realised a lifelong ambition to have a ride on a horse by going for a ride on Solitude.
Riverside has been lent a number of very special horses during the past year to carry on Soli's good work. These include Alex, Jimmy, Jazz and our latest addition Leroy who will take over Soli's pupils in the January Day camps.
Like Mr. Percival, the pelican in “Storm Boy”, Soli will live on in our memories.
GOOD BYE SOLI WE ALL WILL REMEMBER YOU WITH LOVE
QLD State Dressage Championships
Gitane and Jenny won the QLD Small Tour Champion at the QLD State Dressage Championships. Joclyn Hutton and Wallstrasse also placed at the Championships. Jenny, Jocelyn and Kate have all qaulified to compete at the National Championships in Sydney on the 29thOct to 1st Nov.
Jenny and Gitane were selected by the Equestrian Australia High Performance Panel (HPP) to attend a clinic in Sydney with visiting European coach Ton De Ridder. The HPP is responsible for identifiying horse and rider combinations with potential to represent Austrailia at World Championships and Olympic Games. Jenny and Gitane both made the trip to Sydney for the weekend. The clinic was excellent and Jenny gained many tips for riding a better test. They arrived home safely only to face turning around and heading to Sydney again in 5 days time for the National Championships!
Stephanie has a win in Werribee!
At the National QISEA Championships last weekend, Stephanie Poulsen and Eclipse came a credible 8th place in their first test despite the arena blowing over during her ride. She then went on to WIN the second test thus helping the QLD Primary School Dressage Team come 1st overall!
Congratulations to Steph and all of her team mates!
Results, results, results!!
Sunshine Coast Dresssage Championships
Jenny and Femme Sateen - Prix St George Champions.
Jayden and Fairbanks Jazz Time - Preliminary Champions and Novice Champions.
New South Wales Dressage Championships
Jenny and Gitane win the Advanced Championship! (See picture to the right. Note: Photo by Alex Makauskus.)
They also came a 4th in the Prix St George Championship.
Mandy Finnimore and JB Jazzbo came 7th in the hugely competitive preliminary class.
Kate Wilson and Dallas came 7th in the Elementary class taking home a ribbon from a tough class.
Bangalow Championships
Mandy Finnimore and Diamontina won the preliminary Championship and Mandy also took out Reserve Champion on JB Jazzbo. (See picture to the left.)
Dianne Mackie and King's Joker won Reserve medium Champion and Reserve Advanced Champion. Well done girls!
Stephanie Poulsen off to the QISEA NATIONALS!
Congratulations to Stephanie Poulsen and Eclipse on being selected to compete in Victoria representing QLD at the Qisea national Championships!
Jayden is Home!
Jayden Brown is back home from his year long stay in Germany. He is riding beautifully and is competing at the sunshine coast Championships on Jenny and Pete McCluskey's lovely new horse, Fairbanks Jazz Time. Welcome home Jayden!
Photo: Mandy and Diamontina.
Local Competition results for Riverside pupils
Brookfield Equestrian Group Associate Dressage Day
Lauren McDonald riding Riverdale Park Galaxy (Jazz)
1st Place – Prep I
Renee Poulsen riding Riverdowns Eclipse
1st Place Prelim. 1B - 2nd Place Preim. 1A
Fig Tree Pocket Dressage Day
Stephanie Poulsen riding Riverdowns Eclips
1st Place Official 1B 2nd Place Official 1C
Sevanah Ellis riding Merlin
1st Place Associate Prep.
Ellen Wallace riding Pikeur
4th place Associate 3A
Riverside programme For Christmas Holidays 2009/10
Last day of term is Friday 11/12/09 and we will be holding three and possibly 4 weeks of day camps during the school holidays. As in the past, full day camps will go from 8.30 am till between 4.30-5.00pm – those attending full day camps can arrive earlier and leave later under special circumstances but please arrange this, prior to the day, with the instructors or Mrs.White.
Cost of Day Camps: is still $85 per full day and $60 per ½ day for regular pupils and $5 extra for casuals. Riders are reminded to wear long pants, preferably jodphurs, shirts with sleeves and solid shoes and to bring their own food and drinks plus shady hats and shorts.
1st week of Day Camps: Monday 14th December till Friday 18th December.
½ day camp am Sat 12/12 m/u's accepted – Saddle Club & adult groups pm.
Friday 18 December will be reserved for a dressage day am and trail ride pm for riders in Jenny's Monday and Tuesday groups plus riders leasing horses or agisting horses at Riverside. Cost the same as a full day camp ie $85 per rider. If there are spare horses, selected riders from other groups will be invited to participate. (Let us know if you are interested in being on this waiting list).
Riverside Will Close For A Two Week Holiday From 18/12/09 - 4/1/2010
2nd week of Day Camps : Monday 4th January till Friday 8th January
½ day camp am Sat. 9/1 m/u's accepted - Saddle Club and Adult group lessons pm
3rd week of Day Camps: 11/1 - 15/1 (bookings not taken for Mon, Thurs & Friday till other day camps are full) Can book Tues. 12th & Wed 13th plus ½ day camp am Sat. 16/1 m/u's accepted - saddle Club & adult groups pm First Bridle Club for 2010 on Sunday 17/1
4th week of Day Camps: Monday 18 th Jan. Friday 22nd January
½ day camp am Sat. 23/1 Optional 1st day of term – saddle club & adult groups pm
Wednesday and Thursdays of day camp weeks will be mainly for inexperienced riders and those who don't have regular lessons at Riverside. Official Riverside helpers (those ten and over) who have weekly lessons are welcome to come and help (free of charge) on these days – one helper day for each paid day in the week.
THERE IS A FULL CHARGE FOR MISSED OR CANCELLED DAY CAMPS. This rule applies regardless of reason but we do issue make-up vouchers for the full value.
Bridle Club: Last Bridle club day for 2009 will be on Sunday 6th December. Bridle Club will recommence for 2010 on Sunday 17th January.
Saddle Club: Last Saddle Club and Saturday lessons for 2009 will be on Saturday 12th December, First Saddle Club for 2010 till be Saturday 9th January.