Well it seems that young 6 year old Toby has been reading the last few blogs, where his little 4 year old 'brother' Callum Park Leodacaprio (by Dacaprio) has been starring due to his super recent performances and has not been content to be anything but number one son!

This weekend we travelled to the most beautiful Bradgate Park, home of the most generous John and Bev Healy, for the now annual fantastic CDI ably run by the champions of the Central West Dressage Group.  The grounds are completely breathtaking with world class facilities, but the best aspect of the show (and I'm sure most of my riding colleagues would agree) is the fact that its just the friendliest comp, where everyone gets to rub shoulders with each other and catch up as well as compete.  The place lends itself to this but the CDWG always ensure that everyone is approachable and everything is easy and no stress.

We took both Don Frederik (Teddy) and his son Don Rubin (Toby) along but Teddy just came along for a training run as he's a bit intimidated by indoors and we thought we'd take off the pressure off the big guy.  We know he can do everything, we just want to ensure we take the time with him as he's so big (with such a chicken heart!)

So Toby was the competitor this time and it was great to give him the attention he deserves.  Like school kids in class, its always the naughty kids that get the attention and time and Toby is most definitely a good kid!  

Being able to focus on him really yielded top results with an amazing 3rd place in the hotly contested Medium 4B class.  I knew it was an amazing test, just so spot on the markers and with Toby offering cherries, whipped cream, even chocolate sprinkles on top of his usual lovely work, but even I couldn't have guessed how well we did.  

I had a bit a of a jump up at the score board  when I realised we'd held 3rd, (so unprofessional but I'm excited every time I do well - its not yet old hat!) with Heath Ryan and State squad horse Johnny Depp in first place, Matthew Dowsley with Don Desandro (by Don Frederico -Toby's grandad!) 2nd, me and Heath again tied in 3rd (him on Figo Deluxe by Fuerst Heinrich), then the gorgeous Sonata HIt and Rodney Martin and Debbie Oliver on her Flash Dance in 6th.   Wow!! We even got a 69% from Jilli Cobcroft! There were a few happy tears shed and many more champers drunk that night!

We weren't sure if we could back up and do it all again but with the help of supergroom Courtney Schmitzer doing most of the heavy lifting we did the same work as the day before.  Which sadly consisted of us getting up at 5ish for arena familiarisation (ouch three days in a row) then ride Teddy, then take Toby again at lunch time after he's had a break (the humans don't get one!) and then finally out again before his test.  

Toby surprised and delighted Courtney by rolling and getting lots of sawdust in his plaits, but also surprised and delighted us by producing a super test yet again.  Picture perfect and spot on the marker.  Again a good score and had managed to hold 5th against a huge top quality field. I love him as you can see by the picture left!

We could then relax and watch some of the best combinations you're likely to see contest the Advanced, Inter 1 and then Grand Prix freestyle.  What a super night with some top International level dressage.  Its amazing to see how much Aussie dressage has improved in even the last 3 or 4 years.  

Anyway we were glad to be home though sorry to leave our mates, we'll see them again at CDI time and that's not too far away though.

We're off to Sydney next Sunday with the young ones again to do a young horse comp as about 3 got cancelled this season due to rain, so we'll see how we go with Toby (right getting a bum rub courtesy from the amazing team at Equissage, that stuff is gold!) and Leo, and hoping to get a run also with beautiful baby girl 4 yo Kinnordy Gazala (pic below).  If Toby and Leo's 'sibling' rivalry keeps them overachieving like this who knows!  

Until next time happy riding to all and extra kisses to your horses from us this week!