LATEST NEWS
Hi All,
Sorry,i have not been intouch for a while,but now we are ready to,with Ailish and Beck,my supergrooms writing torys about the Hill Cottage Team.
We Would like to Welcome Chris and Fletcher,
Chris has retired his older horse, Wally (a PSG level Thoroughbred). His
new purchase is a 6yo Warmblood Gelding by Flemming named Fletcher. He
is a striking chestnut that stands 17.2hh with big flashy movement.
Chris is happy with his purchase and working hard at home with the help
of Charlotte and the crew to get him ready to go out and compete.
On another note, we were sad to see Jed go! Kathryn’s horse was sold to a lovely home where he will be very spoilt and loved.
Kathryn was at Hill Cottage for about 2yrs with Jed, a Medium level Warmblood by Rasputin.
Sadly, Kathryn’s career commitments led her to the decision to sell Jed.
He will be sadly missed and also farewell to Kathryn and good luck in the future!
Early 2009 there was a new addition to Hill Cottage, but not one to be ridden like normal. Another four legged friend of the canine kind, a
Border Terrier puppy named Millie. She is super friendly and full of energy. A complete opposite to Miles, the current member of the family (7yo Border terrier) who keeps to himself and loves to sit on the couch in the house all day. Millie has grown up very quickly and become
accustomed to the atmosphere here at the stables.
She greets people when they come and even does a few laps of honor in the indoor, making sure she goes deep in the corners. She gives us all a lot of laughs, getting up to mischievous!
Another new addition to the stables is Quirky (Dunkerque), an imported grey gelding. Lady Clarke bought him back from Denmark when Charlot te and Tomse (Come to Me) made there trip overseas last winter 2008. Quirky
is now competing at PSG/Inter I level.
Australian National Championships 2009
Monday 26oct
A Bright and early start. Charlotte (rider), Beck (Groom), Tomse & Millie (companion) left Hill Cottage at 6:30am on 26^th October, ready to start the long journey up to Sydney for the Nationals. After the drive everything was unpacked and settled in for the night. Tomse travelled
well as usual, he is a seasoned traveler now, going to Tamworth only a few months earlier.
Charlotte, Beck and Millie settled in to their
luxurious caravan (fully waterproof and with an air conditioner, thank god) and enjoyed a quiet game of cards. Charlotte being very competitive, winning the games much to Beck’s discussed.
Tuesday & Wednesday
Charlotte & Tomse prepared well for the upcoming competition on Thursday, with helpful lessons with Roger Fitzharding. Lady Susanna Clarke arrived of Wednesday to join the Team Tomse for Hill Cottage!
Thursday
Tomse was well prepared by beck for the trot-up on Thursday morning, followed by competing in the Intemediate II in the afternoon. Charlotte was warmed up with the help of Roger and pleasingly came out with a 5^th placing and a good result of 63%.
Friday
Grand Prix Day! Charlotte and Tomse were off for a quick workout in the morning to get him ready for the big GP in the afternoon. Again with the help from Roger Charlotte had a major breakthrough with a simple issue with Tomse and was happy to come out with another 5th Placing and 62% in the GP.
Saturday
With Tomse not starting his Grand Prix Freestyle until 9:50pm, the Hill Cottage Crew of Charlotte, Lady Clarke, Beck and Millie had all day to enjoy the other competitors and horses at the nationals. Lady Clarke had organized a beautiful sit down lunch in the VIP area for a very relaxed
day! Later that day Rob (Charlotte’s husband) arrived to support Charlotte in her next test. 9pm comes, finally and Tomse is ready to get going, all plaited and looking stunning. He just loves the night crowd.
He went into the Freestyle with total pride and the results showed coming out with 4^th Place and a score of *67.5%! *The Hill Cottage Team couldn’t be happier!
Sunday
The last day and last ride, Grand Prix Special. They do say, save the best till last, and with an amazing *1^st Place with a score of 63.2%* everyone is ecstatic and couldn’t have finished the week off with a better result! Charlotte won a beautiful trophy for their efforts, a very useful ice bucket!!
After their win it was time to pack up and head home, stopping at the popular halfway point at Tarcutta, where the team rested over night. Arriving home (Macedon) on Monday early afternoon. Surprisingly when arrived Tomse still fresh and energized doing a nice free lap of honor
in the indoor, no one would have known he’d been all the way to Sydney and back! He is a Champion!!
