Newstead ride at Maldon VIC August 08

I went down to Maldon for the day to check out how Shannon was going with her rent-a-horse SC Rosie (Cudglebar Raksha x Aloha Royal Lady).

I think I'll gloss straight over how I got lost (or rather couldn't find the right road) getting out of Bendigo, and decided when I was on the road to Kerang, well that just wasn't where I wanted to go...I'll also gloss over how I couldn't find the ride base (which in hind sight I shouldn't have been able to miss).

So I arrive after the 80k riders have already left (10:00am) and Rosie was all saddled up and ready to go (ooops).

Well Rosie is sure looking good and Shannon confessed Rosie had had one 10k ride since Stanley... hmmm... why are all these people so much braver than me? In my (now some time passed) days of endurance riding I would never dream of pulling a horse out of the paddock even for a trainer.

Off they go. Right. Chat to a few people then search for what I really need - coffee. What? You don't sell it? Off I go into town (which I hasten to add was very pretty and I had already done two runs through, looking for the ride base...). Now. I have a personal philosophy that from every bad thing that happens to us - something good comes of it. And sure enough - found a bakery - and 3 cinnamon donuts, some big gourmet biscuits and a large cappuchino later, my equilibrium is restored and I am ready to go on...

Anyway, Rosie trotted around her 40k (didn't even bolt this trip), vetted back to 45 and looked free and happy in her trot out. Well done Shan. Although you may need to consider riding her a few times a week if you want to try an 80k... ...... ;-)

Before	If there had been an award for best platted tail I bet Rosie would have got it...
At the end, still poking happily along.	I try my hand at strapping, good way to warm up!

I think the happiest thing I saw all weekend was the 5km ride. I was standing there with a camera in my hand - what else could I do!

Almost enough to inspire me to have children, well, it certainly wouldn't inspire me to buy a shetland... I just wish I'd gotten a shot of the vet on his knees trying to find a pony's heart rate underneath yak fur...

	I want some wings like that!!
	And how about this guy with the back pack! I know what it's like to carry a heavy back pack - but one that wriggles - nup