SENIOR SCHOOL
hours of driving we would be as far north
as Sweden, as far east as Poland, in Austria,
Switzerland or possibly even Italy heading
south or over in the UK if we went west,
and everywhere in between.
Once I had decided to stay indefinitely, Kai
took me on as his top rider and we went on
to have 23 horses between us in work at
the peak. I was riding 10 horses a day, every
day, and travelling to competitions every
weekend. I had private one on one training
in both jumping and dressage with Kai and
Miriam, and got to sit on some of the most
famous horses in Germany. I quickly learnt
how to manage the horse owners and
sponsors, something I had never had to deal
with in Australia, and soon formed a good
relationship with a family that had a horse
in our stable. This lead to my ride on TSF
Karat, the horse that would take me on a
journey across Europe.
TSF Karat was a big black gentle giant,
he had a brilliant jump on him and was
very brave. The next five years went like a
whirlwind. We chased the sun and spent
winters in Spain and Portugal on the sunshine
tours. From April to November we were
in northern Europe and the UK, spending
more time on the road than at home, we
travelled through some of the most beautiful
landscapes and country side and made great
friends from all sides of the globe.
With Kai on the Germany list for the London
Olympics, I was lucky enough to travel to all
team trainings and events with the German
Team. I got to train under the German
Olympic coaches at Warendorf (the German
National Equestrian Federation training
centre) and always had a support network
of coaches and riders to help me and give
me advice at events. The list of highlights
over that time is extensive but some of the
most amazing events I went to included:
• 2011 European Championships
Luhmuhlen Germany
• 2013 European Championships
Malmo Sweden
• Le Lion D’Arges France –
World championship for young horses
• Aachen CICO Germany – Nations cup
• Fontaineblau CICO France – Nations cup
• Pau CCI4**** France
• Badminton CCI4**** England
• Luhmuhlen CCI4**** Germany
• Burghley CCI4**** England
Whilst my own personal riding highlights
included:
• Bundeschampionate – Germany
Championships for young horses
• Stregomz CIC3* Poland
• Arville CCI3* Belgium
• Waregem CICO 3* Belgium
• Renswoude CIC3* Netherlands
• Kreuth CCI2** Germany
After a successful year in 2013 I started to
make plans to compete at Pau CCI4****
in France. This would see me reach the top
level of the sport, an illusive dream that had
always seemed so far away. Unfortunately,
it was not meant to be and Karat injured
himself towards the end of the season. As
if my time in Germany had reached its end,
my second h ܜ