News

June 2nd 2003

The fight was gruelling, as it was 45 hours door to door. We were delayed leaving Melbourne, then again in HK and Dubai. Frankfurt was the worst, with more delays and red tape. Andrew from IRT couldn't have done more, and he was great with the horses. The aeroplane was a 747 Jumbo freighter, so the only other people on board were the crew. We flew in the cockpit and were able to see everything. Landing in Hong Kong and Dubai at night was particularly memorable.

I didn't sleep much in case of difficulties. By the time we landed at Frankfurt I was quite tired. I was so relieved when a friendly German man bounced into quarantine at Frankfurt saying "Is there a next World Champion who is coming with me to Milte?" This was Mr Johannesmann, and we talked throughout the long weekend traffic jams on the autobahn for nearly 6 hours. Pzazz had had it with travel, but when he got off the truck he stood up and screamed out to let everyone know he'd arrived. Susanne said, "Oh, he is a stallion". But he ate and drank and made friends with his neighbours, even though he had a little fever and rapid pulse (possible signs of travel sickness). So I was still worrying, but he was fine. He had a lay day next day. In Germany horses don't go out so much, and even though Susanne does like them to go out for a while, people are surprised that I want to leave my valuable stallion in a paddock for hours at a time. Bless his temperament, as he was not concerned about pony mares or hay making, just surveyed his new domain and settled to enjoying the fabulous pasture. There is so much grass that Klaus has just got some sheep to eat it down.
Horses are fed differently here. There is plenty of home grown grass hay and then three times a day a grain mix that looks like racehorse mix, with added oats. Pzazz loves it, but I've asked to substitute lucerne for the oats, as I've never fed him oats.
Friday was our first ride, just long and stretching, but much to my relief he felt fantastic. Saturday the real work started. You will remember the first time you sat on a horse, the lady puts the reins in your hands and says "hold it like this". Well, that is what happened to me here. Start right at the beginning and get it right. It is what I expected, and that is what happened. Susanne likes Pzazz very much, with his attitude and his three good paces. She is also impressed with his ability to collect. She will ride him tomorrow and then we will see.
Horses here have a solid work ethic trained into them. I am very lucky to ride a three-year-old here, and even a baby like him knows to GO FORWARD. Always.
A really wonderful thing has been to go with Susanne to the stables where Ernst Hoyos is based, with whom she trains. Kylie O'Brien from Queensland works there and translated a lesson that Hoyos gave to an American, Lisette Milner, who has just arrived with three Grand Prix horses to train for six months. "Vor, vor vor" (forwards) in the changes, loosen your thigh, and the work was transformed. Hoyas does seem to be a genius. To see him ride is another real experience. He is a tall man with huge charisma. He sits impossibly tall on a horse, with immense elastic strength. And the horses work. Work is work, not like practice. And they are made to understand the difference between good and not so good. It is repeated until it is good, then "genug" (enough) and walk. Susanne's horse Ronaldo has really developed since I last saw him as a five-year-old. He is the scopiest dressage horse I have seen. I am reminded of Gigolo, and wonder if this is the scopiest horse in the world? Moments are breathtaking, so elastic, what will he be when he is a grown up? He is eight now, and will have a Grand Prix start when he is ready. Susanne is a perfectionist and clearly really enjoys the training.
Hoyos' base is over an hour away, and it is fantastic to talk to Susanne about training, riding, and kids, and those things that I am interested like truth, wisdom, excellence and what life teaches you.
This weekend is Schützenfest in Milte, Susanne's town. It is the highpoint of the year; a 4-day festival with everyone involved. Last night was like a talent quest with a standing ovation for Miram, Susanne's Korean born neighbour with a fabulous rendition of 'Hey big Spender', something I could understand. I am struggling with German language. The focus was a band parade near midnight, with huge candles, parading all the would-be Schutzenkönigs (kings) who compete for the title by shooting clay pigeons tomorrow.
All is perfect, but I have to admit to really missing my friends and family. More later Kerry.

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