roadtorome's Blog

Arrived at yard at 3.15am, caught horses (who were out in field for the night), gave them their breakfast, booted and bandaged them ready for trip.   Luckily Lisa (Head Groom) was up tending to a sick horse and she reminded us about the shavings for the floor of the lorry.   We had to forget something didn’t we?   Anais was also up to see us off (her bedroom is just above the yard so she probably wasn’t able to sleep with us loading down below).   We loaded Vin and Diamond, put the last carriage on, a final hug and we were off to Rome.

Drove to Dover and we were put in a line ready to load onto the ferry.  A very smooth operation that they do many times a day, but all excitement to me.  Once the lorry was on the ferry and chained down we went upstairs to the lorry drivers’ lounge and had our breakfast (had we known when our next meal was going to be we possibly would have eaten a little more!!).  

Ferry crossing was very smooth and it wasn’t long before everyone was heading down to their vehicles.   Didn’t take long and we were heading south on the motorway towards Dijon.  We travelled through the Somme area and right past St Quentin (Anais’s home town).   Many crops through this area, canola, wheat, sunflowers and some lucerne.   Many headers very busy getting the wheat crop off.

We stopped every couple of hours to check Vin and Diamond who were very patient with the long journey.   The motorways are great to travel along although the tolls are fairly expensive.

WE got to Dijon and spent several fruitless hours searching for our stabling accommodation.   At one stage I was on the phone to the transport company who were trying to give us directions, then we realised they were giving directions from England!   Finally we found some stabling (not the planned one) and decided with much gesturing  and smiling to the owners that we should stay there the night.   When it was sorted we drove down to the stable area only to find the British team there!   They had suffered the same fate as us and also could not find the planned stopover.   We all had a good laugh about it (it turned out that the map and the address were for two different places so we were never going to be able to find it) and we quickly got the long suffering Vin and Diamond off the lorry.   After a bit of a stretch we got them bedded down and fed and watered and comfortable for the night.   We managed to find a little kitchen in the buildings and made ourselves a cuppa and ate a snack.

[Read more →]

[Read more →]

Hi Everyone,

I know you will not believe this but I had heaps of trouble with uploading the blog yesterday.    The same gremlins that were in the sat nav were messing about in cyberspace.   Sooo…. here are some more pics from Catton that should have been on yesterday’s blog.

Elizabeth was busy multi-tasking at Catton.   She togged up several times to groom for Boyd and also in another outfit for Faith’s pony team.   When she wasn’t doing this she was busy cooking us up a feast in her role as Camp Mother.    She was  busy with my camera when we were on the marathon and also found time to take Vin out for a drive on Saturday afternoon. (Georgina Hunt has borrowed Vin for the dressage on Friday.)  

 

 

 

 

[Read more →]

We set off from the yard at 10.00am.  Michelle driving the lorry and the trailer.   Liz and Ned in their car and me in the blue machine.   Quite a convoy.   We had not gone far down the road when we had a flat tyre on the trailer.  Luckily we were right near the servo at Houghton on the Hill where we were intending to fuel up.   I say luckily because it took 3 men and an oxy to change the tyre.   One of the wheel nuts had seized and took some persuasion to undo!!

Liz’s landlord, Michael, saw us all pulled up at the servo and quickly pulled in to offer assistance and moral support.   He was just great.

Finally we set off again blithely following the sat nav.   We got within a few miles of Catton Park when the sat nav directed us down a very narrow road which led to an even narrower bridge.   By the time we realised that it was not possible to cross the bridge we had gone too far along the road.   Liz found a gateway and Michelle drove there and they proceeded to back the trailer into the gateway with the plan of turning the whole shebang around.   Even with their best efforts and some encouragement(!!!) from the locals, who were by this time queuing for quite a distance, there was just not enough room.    We decided that the trailer would have to come off and then turn the lorry around and start again!!   I was dispatched to Catton (just minutes away) to get help and a 4WD to tow the trailer.    Michelle and Liz got the lorry turned around and Michelle drove up to the main road.   Liz and Ned stayed with the trailer.    I was able to get Rob (a general handyman around the place) to come and help and a 4WD arrived to tow the trailer.    You can probably guess that I have glossed over some of the details of this adventure.   Details cannot be added as this is a family blog!!   Photographic evidence is also fairly sparse, I am brave but not completely stupid so did not think that in the heat of the moment (and there were plenty of those) a camera was going to help the situation!!   In the only photo that I have got you can just make out the trailer on the left side of the road and the lorry is further up on the right.    All the traffic is just managing to squeeze past and cross the bridge!!!

We arrived at Catton Park and set up our camp.   We are getting very efficient at setting up and soon had Vin and Diamond installed in their home away from home.   Liz, who was Camp Mother for the weekend, soon had the kettle on and some semblance of calm took over the camp.

Just like at home, bad news travels fast.   Soon the whole lorry park was laughing about the crazy Aussie girls who had tried to take a lorry and trailer over a bridge only wide enough for a medium sized wheelbarrow!!!

Michelle and I headed off to look at obstacles.   Like at Sandringham they are all clustered together which is great for spectators but keeps you on your toes when you are keeping track of the Compulsory Turning Flags (19 on Section E).   As this is our third event in the UK now we have made loads of friends and it is great to be able to stop for a chat as we head out around the course.  It is a real honour to be walking obstacles at the same time as George Bowman is walking obstacles.   Michelle and I got brave and introduced ourselves and I got to shake his hand.  He was very gracious and gave us his autograph.

Rhonda, a friend of Michelle’s arrived.  Rhonda has been a great asset to the camp. 

Next morning we were on early in the Dressage.   Michelle did a really good job for her first competition in the UK.   Diamond did the first canter strike off beautifully and showed some lovely trot work towards the end of the test.   It must have been a thrill driving right in front of Catton Hall.   I know it felt great from where I was sitting!

Once again I was lucky enough to jump on the back for Sarah Garnett’s test with the loveable Ranno.   She did a great job and won the class.

Liz got the nod and togged up beautifully to sit with Annais on the back of the team Boyd was driving (Robert Wilkinson’s team).

Dot and Doug arrived and it was great to catch up with them (and receive my next supply of Cheesymite).

Marathon day dawned warm and sunny.   Lots more course walking and then we were off.   Michelle had elected to only drive Section E as Diamond did not need to do a full marathon this close to Rome(she competed HC)

Michelle learnt heaps about driving Diamond through the obstacles and did a very good job with such a short time to get to know him. I just had a ball and hung on.  

Liz meets Prince Phillip

After the marathon there was a Happy Hour get together where everyone went along and discussed the day’s fortunes or misfortunes as the case may be.   Liz was chatting to the owners of Catton Hall when along came Prince Phillip.   Liz was duly introduced, shook his hand and spent about 15 minutes chatting to him about what she and Michelle were doing over here and about carriage driving in Australia.  No photographic evidence as I was not there at the time but there were enough people standing around watching to verify that this is, in fact, just what happened.   Liz was very excited!!

Sunday morning and we started with a Team meeting.   There was a lot to discuss and plans to be made for Rome.   Dot had loads of ideas and Jessica Meredith was also able to put in lots of valuable information as she is an old hand at Wo

rld Champs.

 

The Cones classes kept everyone busy .   Liz again got dressed up and went with Faith and her ponies(third place) and then went on Boyd’s carriage.   Boyd had a good round to win his class.

Michelle’s class was the last class of the day, not until 3.00pm.    Diamond warmed up beautifully and Michelle did a good job in the practise cones.   Unfortunately a cone out of order meant we got eliminated which was very disappointing for Michelle.  I was lucky enough to go with Sarah and Ranno and she drove a good fast round to win the class.  

We packed up and the convoy headed home meeting no narrow bridges this time.  We had had a fun time and the learning curve was steep again.

[Read more →]

We have been going to the yard each day.   Yesterday Michelle and Diamond had hazard practise.    We drove through the beautiful estate to the hazards.    Boyd showed Michelle where she had to drive and gave a short demo (I was on the back and it didn’t seem to take long to get through the obstacle!!!).    Then it was Michelle’s turn.  Boyd was very precise with his instructions and Michelle had to work hard to drive  the route exactly right.   During one time through I heard a very loud noise and looked up to see the British Royal Air Force Red Arrows formation flying display team flying overhead (it seemed like just over the tree tops).   It was quite spectacular.  Apparently this is on their flight path as Liz had a similar experience when driving out through the estate.

Back to the yard via another lovely drive through the estate with a gallop up the hill for Diamond.

Liz had a cousin and a friend to visit so that has been a nice time for her.

Elizaabeth does have to do some work though, not just play with babies.

Yesterday I went out with Annais (one of Boyd’s grooms) while she worked this pair of gelderlanders.  

This morning we went to Melton Mowbray where there is a horse sale every fortnight.    There were also stalls selling secondhand and new items of horse gear.   So we had a bit of fun.

This afternoon the girls will work their horses.

[Read more →]

 

You might like to look at this video.  http://vimeo.com/12940718 It is an arty view of Sandringham.  See if you can spot Boyd and Diamond.

On Monday it was business as usual at the yard with lots of  horses being worked. We all went back to the yard and helped unpack the trailer and  cleaned harness and vehicles that we had used.  Loads of washing to do and things to be put away in the correct place.      Diamond and Vin had a day off and a night out in the field.  

On Tuesday Michelle worked Diamond around the roads (the nice drive through Gaulby).   Michelle and Lorraine went out with Boyd and a team who were practising some dressage.  Some of these horses will be going to Aachen and some to Kentucky.   It was great to sit on the carriage and watch Boyd training  the leaders doing shoulder in while the wheelers remained on the track.

 

Vin had an extra day off.   Lorraine got to drive Junior again and did the drive with Ned and Liz to Gaulby. 

We finished off the day with Liz cooking us a lovely meal at her new home.   One Perfect Day!!

[Read more →]

Monday June 28^th

We have had a busy time since I last had a spare minute to do the blog(no rest for the wicked here!).  Liz worked Vin each day and you could see they were really starting to work each other out.  Boyd drove Diamond as he would be driving him at Sandringham to qualify for Rome.

We started packing the trailers on Tuesday and Liz and Michelle started getting “their” harness ready for the event.  Business as usual continues in the yard with many horses needing working including several teams.  There were many drivers and horses arriving for lessons with Boyd so it was busy yard indeed.   We met Graham Heath who is a West Australian guy who lives and competes over here for six months every year.  

 

On Wednesday the packing continued in earnest with horses being washed, harness and vehicles being scrubbed.   In a spare moment in this madness Boyd offered me a drive  Junior (one of Bob Edwards’ team horses).   So I left organised chaos and panic and  had a lovely peaceful drive around the village of Billesdon!

On Thursday morning the convoy set off for Sandringham. There were about 4 lorries and trailers, a car and caravan, Jessica Meredith in her car and our little blue mean machine. 

We arrived about 2 hours later and drove in past Park House where Princess Diana spent her early years and past the Sandringham gardens just catching a glimpse of Sandringham House as we headed up to the lorry park.  

This is the view we had whilst working the horses.

 

On arriving there is much to do as the stables on the sides of each trailer have to be set up and horses installed comfortably in these.  There is also all the usual setting up to be done.    I was dispatched to Sarah Garnett’s camp as I was to groom/backstep for her for the event.  Within minutes I had met her beautiful Gelderlander Rano and was hosing him down and putting him in his home for the weekend.   Sarah had arrived the day before so all the setting up work was already done!!  Sarah very generously fed and watered me and provided me with a bed so I was very well cared for.

The followed all the usual things to do at an event, walking obstacles, cleaning horses, picking up poo, walking obstacles.   The obstacles are all in a line more or less next to each other making it very spectator friendly and, in fact, not far to walk when walking them.  So driving them meant you came in to that area and then out and back on tracks through compulsory markers (here called compulsory turning flags –CTF).   There were 17 compulsory turning flags on Section E – that kept me busy!!!       Almost everyone has a motorbike or quad bike to get from obstacles to lorry park.   Obstacles were very well built and quite large and very technical. Two obstacles had water and one obstacle had a wooden bridge(built for the event).  

Finally it was time for Dressage.   I togged up and rode on the back for Sarah.   She did a super test and Rano was really on his game.   He can be somewhat exuberant and not with his mind on the job (he spent his early years as a working stallion in Holland) but this time he pulled out all stops.

 Boyd went next and we all had our hearts in our mouths as Diamond missed the canter strike off.   The next one was a bit wayward as well but the rest of the test was really good so we were pretty happy.  

Then I jumped on the back for Elizabeth and Vin.   I have to say she looked magnificent in her new outfit and although she was very nervous she headed up the centre line with that professionalism that we are accustomed to seeing from her.  From where I was sitting she did a great job and those in the know from outside the arena agreed.  

   

By the time we were back at the lorry park the scores for the Advanced Horse had been announced.   Sarah first with a score of 38, Boyd second with a score of 47 and Elizabeth fourth with a score of 54.

Marathon day dawned hot and sunny.   Walked the obstacles a few more times.   Sarah and I stopped at Obstacle 8 for a quick chat with the timekeeper.   Apparently he often stewards on that obstacle.   It was none other than Prince Philip!!

Section A & D was through the Sandringham Estate, we drove through potato fields, lavender fields and some beautiful tracks through shaded woods.   It was the loveliest drive.  

There were large crowds around each obstacle and a running commentary as each driver went through(not that I had time to be aware of any of that!).   I am sorry that I don’t have any photos of the marathon.  I know that backsteppers/grooms have to multi task but that was just too hard!!!

Liz had a good round as well with Jessica Meredith backstepping for her.  Boyd had a fast round than us so that put him into first place by just over 1 penalty point. 

Cones day dawned and everyone started to pack up what they could as well as prepare for the last phase.   I togged up again and jumped in the back for Elizabeth.   She did a great job for her first time at this level and having only had a short time to get used to Vin through the cones.   Having not been allowed to walk the cones I had no idea where we were going but it did seem that every time you were looking for the next cone it was behind you!!!  She had 4 cones down but made the time. (At the halfway point in the course the split time is announced over the loud speaker so you know how you are going for time.   The time is displayed on a large electronic scoreboard.)  I then jumped in with Sarah and Rano was really going for it.   A slight hiccup after Number cost us some time and then a cone down so that dropped us to third place.   I then jumped in with Boyd and we whizzed around the course.   One cone down and just over time.   Boyd and Diamond had hung onto the lead.   The Advanced Pony class was next and then both Advanced Pony and Advanced Horse were back into the arena.   Presentations are made straight away which must be good for spectator appeal and, of course, means you don’t have to come back later.

A very good weekend.   Diamond had qualified having achieved 65 or less in the dressage and completed all phases without elimination.   Elizabeth had competed very well with Vin and can be very proud of her efforts.

[Read more →]

 On Saturday Michelle drove Diamond in the dressage arena.  It was bitterly cold and we each had about 5 layers of clothes on.    Michelle worked Diamond in the dressage arena while I videoed.   I try to video each session and then we view the video back at the C of C on my computer.   All is ticking along well, Michelle finding which buttons to push and when to push them.  Diamond is a seriously smart horse.

It was so cold Michelle thought I was turning blue so she went out with Liz for her drive and I stayed back at the yard and warmed up a little.   Vin and Liz are getting along well.

We went back to the Caravan of Courage for some warming soup and toasted sandwiches.   Then we headed back to the yard and went for a drive with Faith and her team of ponies and a spare.      We made a detour through Billesdon and stopped off at the village shop for an ice cream and a drink.  We did the “lovely drive” to Gaulby and back.  It is my favourite drive although there are always lots of cars.   The countryside is so green with wheat, barley and canola crops growing right to the edge of the roads.  

Home from there via The Fox Inn.

On Sunday morning Boyd was back from four days of coaching (not teaching, driving a coach) at Ascot.   I rode with Faith and her pony team and Michelle and Ned went with Liz and Vin down to the obstacles for a practise session.   It is the loveliest drive through the Estate.   When we got to the obstacle Boyd showed Faith and Liz what he wanted them to do.  Then Liz (with me backstepping) and Faith (with Michelle backstepping) had turns at driving the obstacle.   Boyd was very exacting and they did it many times improving each time.  Liz did a great job getting used to a different carriage and driving Vin through obstacles for the first time. On the way back to the yard we stopped at the water obstacle.   I was riding with Faith so away we went through the water.  The obstacle is similar to the bridge obstacle at Dot and Doug’s with more water and a few more options into and out of the water.   I got drenched!!!   Michelle thought it was better than only one person got wet so I went through the obstacle with Liz as well!

After we got back to the yard and helped unharness Faith’s ponies and Liz put Vin away we headed home for much needed showers.   Then it was back to Boyd and Preetha’s for a BBQ.   It was very pleasant sitting in the garden enjoying Boyd’s cooking and Preetha’s lovely salads.

Monday

I drove down to the arena with Lisa and her lovely young gelderlander Zidaan.  Although a six year old he is still just a baby and learning the ropes.  Lisa gave me a few minutes drive in the arena.  It was fantastic to drive such a forward going horse and when we turned across the diagonal he just went into a fabulous extension at the trot.   Then Boyd and Michelle and Diamond turned up for their session.   He is such a clever horse and is improving every day and certainly getting a handle on the dressage test for Sandringham.  It is great to watch Boyd put Diamond through his paces.

 

Back to the yard where Michelle gave Diamond a really good bath and I washed the carriage we had been using (lots of cows and sheep in the paddock where we work). 

I went shopping at Market Harborough and Michelle and Ned went out with Liz to the dressage arena.   Boyd was there to offer his words of wisdom.   The warm sun has mellowed everyone and all was well after their session.

We have loads of funny stories to tell but the ones not suitable for the blog will have to wait until Longwood at about midnight!!!

[Read more →]

This morning we arrived at the yard to find it fairly deserted.   Boyd is still at Ascot and there were two hearses out at funerals.    Poor Lisa (Head Groom) had left us a note to say that there had been a drama with one of the hearses (the lorry had had a flat tyre) so she had had to head off to one of the funerals to help out.

We began to do a few boxes and then Liz, Ned and I headed out for a drive around the roads.  We did our usual drive, it is so lovely trotting through the villages, past gorgeous old churches and thatched roof houses.    Back to the yard(we had left Michelle doing boxes) and then I went out with Michelle and Diamond.   We drove through the Estate and then back home via the big hill to give Diamond a bit of a gallop.    We got back just in time to miss the rain.   We feel pretty proud of ourselves that we managed to work our two horses and get away without getting drenched.   

We headed off to look for another town to explore but ended up back in our favourite: Market Harborough.    Michelle is off doing her washing(I did mine at the yard, a bit of horse hair doesn’t bother me!), Ned and Elizabeth are window shopping and I am settled in my favourite spot at Starbucks (free internet).

For those who are wondering (Caroline), we are sharing the cooking and both surviving each other’s cooking!!!   I heard that Hamish and Andy’s Caravan of Courage series has started up at home, wonder if they would like to do a segment with us.    Hmmm, maybe not!!

We love to hear all the news from home and love the comments on the blog.   Thanks everyone

[Read more →]

We drove Diamond today for the third time.   We drove around the estate and gave him a couple of gallops up a fairly good slope to build up his fitness.  Both horses worked in the dressage arena yesterday.  Both Elizabeth and Michelle are working on getting to know their horses as they prepare for the job ahead.  

Liz with Vin

Boyd with Diamond

Diamond is giving us a lot of hope that he will qualify at Sandringham.  The weather has improved and we have had two lovely sunny days.

Driving on the Estate

After working the horses we all headed out for a tourist drive in the local area ending up at a small market in Oakham.   After doing over the op shops we had lunch in The Whipper Inn pub and then brought Elizabeth and Ned back to meet the Caravan of Courage.  On the way back we had to show Ned and Liz our local pub, The Fox Inn.

 Strangely enough Liz did not seem too envious of our accommodation even after I cooked up a storm in our little kitchen.   Luckily it was warm enough for Al Fresco dining (not enough room for all four of us to be in C of C at the one time) and then we took Liz and Ned back to their lovely warm, clean, comfortable Bed and Breakfast!!

Al Fresco dining at the Caravan of Courage

[Read more →]