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Got up early and headed into work with Rick to then catch the train from Central Station out to Deb and Rhett's farm (about a 25 minute drive outside of the city). Deb picked me up and I knew right away we were going to get along really well. Deb is a fabulous dressage rider, while her husband, Rhett, is a high level show jumper. She started to apologize for the fact that I would have to sit around for a bit since they were still getting ready for the agents to come and take pictures of their property since they were putting it on the market soon. They had just bought a property right up the road with 40 acres on it since the 5 acre farm they had now was just too small. I told her that I had been on the go non stop and I would be happy for a couple of hours of down time and not to worry.
After the photographers came and went we got to riding some horses! I was just happy to groom a few since it had been a while since I had been around the horses and I missed it
so much (I can honestly say I am way more horse-sick than I am home-sick). But Deb said that I could hop on a few! Oh boy it was like Christmas! She schooled a lovely gray mare named Carrie who was competing at 4th level dressage (for all the non-horsey folks - that's a very well trained horse). Then she told me to pop on Carrie (all I had was my travel pants and tennis shoes but it worked out!). I didn't know what it was going to be like since I had not ridden a well trained horse in well over a year. It all came back (for the most part - I could tell I was really weak) and in no time Deb was coaching me through canter pirouettes (basically the horse canters on a really small circle with its haunches to the inside), tempi changes (the horse looks like its skipping), and lengthenings at the trot. It was magical!
After cooling out Carrie, Deb got on Emo. An imported Warmblood gelding who has some huge movement. She schooled him through some great canter half-passes then allowed me to get on him. He almost bounced me out of
the tack because of his huge trot! He was so wiggly and it was hard to keep him together, but I had a great time on Emo as well!
Deb is a great rider and instructor and it was fun hanging out with her all day and getting back into the routine of the horses that I had missed so much! Being out at the farm was just what I needed.
Deb then taught a lesson, and the girl brought her horse over in a horse trailer that was towed by a CAR! Think of Ford Tarus pulling a horse trailer and it just blows your mind! The car was a Ford, but they make different cars over here, and they make them strong! I couldn't believe it.
After taking care of the horses we had a nice drink and chatted about the horses until Rhett came home then we went out for dinner at the local pub. It was a fabulous meal where we talked horses the entire time, I was definitely in my element.
I was so sad to leave the next morning since I just had a wonderful time with Rhett and Deb, they are so much
fun and so cute together! They really made me feel at home and relaxed on the farm.
Rhett drove me back to the city on his way to work and Greer picked me up and took me back to the house (they have a well organized system of ferrying me around! They are so kind!)
I got back to the house and Robin and I went for a walk around University of Queensland - literally a 5 min walk from their house. Robin is taking a law course there (she is inspiring!) where she jokes that the professor probably thinks she should be at home knitting rather than taking law courses! I say good on ya!
The University really is gorgeous with a wonderful lawn and beautiful lakes with birds, lizards, eels, and diverse plant life. It just sits right in campus and is a wonderful and peaceful place to study.
We are also packing up since this arvo we are going to Strattie Island where The Olivers have a house. We are picking up the 2:00 barge and heading over for a wonderful evening on the island then heading back on the 10:00 am barge since my flight to
Istanbul leaves at 2:00 pm tomorrow! (Where I will meet my Dad, I am so excited to see him!) Its crazy to think that my time in Australia is almost up, I will miss it so much as I have seen so many wonderful things, and better yet, met so many wonderful people!
Till next time! (See you soon Dad!)
B
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Deb
non-member comment
Oh How nice!!
Oh Barrett - Rhett and I just read your Blog together smiling and wishing you were still here!! What a fabulous account of our short time together :) The ponies were awesome the day after you were here - thanks for the great training!! xx Deb and Rhett ps - job offer still stands but sadly still unable to include dental ;)