Tarsha Hammond learns to live with Equine Influenza…
Photos – Peter Stoop
The Equine Influenza outbreak has ripped the rug out from under us. Many lives, horse sports and businesses are at a complete standstill. As the disease progresses here in the Hunter Valley, we are beginning to accept that it’s inevitable that we will all contract it. We are now segregated into “disease zones”, but even if our horses are restricted at least we are starting to mix the colours socially.
The competition calendar for the rest of the year is looking deserted. When everything gets up and running for next year, you can bet that everyone will come out firing, and we don’t want to get left behind. On a usual day BEI*, half my day was dedicated to riding and the other half teaching. Obviously the teaching has gone out the window so theoretically it gives me a chance to put that time to good use. We have healthy horses, a good dressage arena, some nice hills and uninterrupted time.
So what do you do when you can’t compete, can’t travel to lessons or x-country school? We came up with some ideas, and have been implementing them with various levels of enthusiasm.
1. The NCAS level 1. Sally and Sian (two thirds of the team here) have previously been able to dodge this due to our large workload. Not anymore. It’s “learn to teach day” every day girls, and don’t they just love it! Getting your coaching accreditation is a great asset but it does take time, so get going with the paperwork now.
2. Get the young horses started. With so many horses in work, and lessons to give, it’s sometimes hard to make the time to tackle the young ones. This is a great opportunity to get the stock saddle out and give them the attention they need. We figure by the time the ban is lifted and we are able to compete, they will be at least elementary dressage, and jumping C grade….. Although with one of mine, progress will be simply riding it in a dressage saddle. The Syd Hill is a lifesaver.
3. Strengthening. Rio is now 1* and yet still such a baby. The jumping is so easy for him, but he still needs to strengthen on the flat to do the work with the required amount of engagement. He is so big and gangly and it’s going to be another six months of consistent work until he is strong physically as he can be mentally. Lots of dressage exercises, and hill work should mean that by next year we have a V8 Supercar Rio.
4. Unfortunately we only have a dressage arena to jump in. The jumping arena isn’t surfaced yet, so most of our show-jumping was done BEI* at my coach, Jamie Coman’s. I am really missing my lessons so Jamie faxed me some exercises to do in our 20 x 60m arena to keep me going. See how you go with them.
5. Give your saddlery an overhaul. I love cleaning gear – seriously, I just never get to do it. Check all the stitching, (I got a fright when I looked at my stirrup leathers), clean and dress it and it will be ready to go. Where and when I really don’t know, but you will look fabulous when you get there.
6. Stay fit! We have tackled the Yoga DVD, or more correctly the Yoga DVD tackled us. It’s a lot harder to do than you think, and we look pretty ridiculous, but the results feel good. Take up a sport. I started swimming again, I haven’t done laps since I was about 15 and the pool seems a lot longer than it was 10 years ago J. The Chlorine is nasty but it’s a good workout. This winter I was introduced to the best exercise of all – Skiing! It’s a great shame to be quarantined at the end of the ski season instead of the beginning.
7. Watch educational and inspirational DVD’s. I highly recommend the 2006 World Equestrian Games Dressage DVD. Watching Andreas Helgstrand and Blue Hors Matine perform a spine tingling Kur is guaranteed to fire you up and make you want to rent Moulin Rouge again. It’s particularly important for us eventers without a cross country course in our backyard to find a Dressage focus. C’MON!
8. Property blitz. I had to do a “bloke” survey on this one. Mowing, as long as you have a ride-on, is very therapeutic and I am reliably informed that you mow better with a beer (as long as it’s after 2pm). Fence and arena maintenance will keep you occupied for a while. Next! Plant some trees, its spring after all, and then after you have gone green for awhile, get out the chainsaw and get ready for the bushfire season.
9. For the professional rider. Get a health check and go to the dentist. Catch up on all the paperwork, your tax, and tidy your desk. Sort out your truck. Get the computer sorted out and use it. Get your articles into the Horse Magazine in time. Wear shorts. Ring friends and rellies you rarely get to talk to. Have a social life. Do breakfast, and lunch! Go to the movies, stay out late. Read a book. Relax. Get organized for Christmas now because AV* it’s going to be busy- hopefully.
10. Wish list. Use this time to do something you usually can’t because of the competition schedule. Have a holiday and forget about Equine Influenza. If your responsibilities keep you closer to home, do a day trip. Me- I plan on a little self-improvement. My knowledge of our gorgeous Hunter Valley Wines is just not up to scratch, and I really need to get a handle on the new varieties. The vineyards are just around the corner and it would be absolutely rude of me to ignore them. The one rule, I won’t be talking about EI when I do it.
*AV– After Virus
This article first appeared in THM November 2007.