I may have been keeping this a little quiet over the past couple of months because I wanted time to make sure it was going to work out and to get to know him.
But I think it’s now time to share the newbie of our herd, Roo! I was offered Roo on loan at the start of 2021 but I was at my maximum capacity and budget of three horses so I had to say no. He went to someone else and I was sad to have passed up the opportunity. The very week I put Azid up for sale, Roo was sent back from his new home as it wasn’t working out, and I was offered him again, knowing I now had space for a new horse. Fate, some might say.
I obviously did not know at the time that Qantas was going to injure himself and thought of Roo as a project pony, a lovely opportunity to have a horse on loan, and see how far we got without too much pressure. Despite now having to step up and be my main focus I’m still going to try and have a no pressure, no expectations attitude, as it’s actually really nice to be so chilled.
Roo is 8 years old and owned by a rider who was my absolute idol as a Junior, Liz, making this an even more surreal and dreamy experience. Liz and her mare Falaina were like my pin- ups, if there were signed posters of them, I would have had it on my wall. Falaina was an incredible mare and to have the opportunity to ride one of her sons is such an honour.
He was also backed by the extremely talented team at Stride Ahead so I know he’s had an excellent start to his training but he’s also not done very much, which I see as a positive, as he’s had time to mature and grow. He’s done a few graded rides but not yet done a 40km or above. So that’s my aim for this year, get his first 40km Novice qualification under his belt, spend the winter strengthening him up and improving his fitness and just enjoy next year and see where it takes us.
I can’t thank Liz enough for trusting him with me and I hope that we’ll have lots of fun adventures together.
Beth Endurance 