20/11/09 - Horse Training .org News - The 7 day Road Trip

The horse training .org tour is going well. The horse training.org team consists of Georgia Bruce, Dr. Maree Fitzpatrick, Larundel Gameboy (8 year old warmblood gelding) and Leo (Rhodesian Ridgeback Dog). On the first day the plan was to get to Mackay. They stopped first at Alligator Creek Pony Club in Townsville for lunch. They they headed towards Bowen where Astro and Leo had their first experience on the beach. Both Astro and Leo enjoyed splashing in the cool beach water after such a big day driving. Georgia and Maree made sure to stop every four hours and give everyone a well needed rest. That night the 13th of November they travelled through to Mackay where they spent the night at Nancy and Peter Baretta's property. Georgia would like to thank Nancy, Peter, Emily and Molly for there hospitality.

The next day they continued on the Bruce highway heading south. Amused with some trucky 2 way conversation they also stopped at Calliope River where Astro and Leo again had a swim. The toursits and swimmers were surprised to see a big horse and a big dog accompanied by two small ladies. That night they stayed at Gin Gin Showgrounds, where there was a singalong taking place in the Show hall.

The next day (the 16th of November) the Horse Training .org team continued their journey south and that night they stayed with Matty and Fred Sormani at Kennilworth on the Sunshine Coast. Matty and Fred have Larundel Warmblood Stud where Georgia's horse Larundel Gameboy was originally bred. Georgia would like to say thanks to Matty, Fred and Inez for their hospitality.

Day 4 for the journey saw Astro (Larundel Gameboy) get sprayed for ticks at Tweed Heads on the NSW border. They proceeded on to Coff's Harbour Showgrounds where they were met by Georgia's good friend Alison Ashworth. Georgia and Alison went to highscool together and Alison is a very talented dressage rider. Alison helped Georgia and Maree find some food and drinks after their exhausting trip before she said goodbye and left them to settle in for the night.

Day 5 of the horse training .org road trip was from Coff's Harbour to Galston in Sydney.
That night they stayed with Carolyn Lieutenant the owner of the horse Georgia rode in Hong Kong " Victory Salute" (who is also Australia's 2009 National Grand Prix Dressage Champion with his rider Brett Parbery). Carolyn had a loverly paddock for Astro (Larundel Gameboy) filled with grass and clover up to his knees. Needless to say Astro was very happy.

Day 6 took the horse training .org team from Galton to Albury into Victoria...they had made it that far and were really celebrating despite the extraordinary heat wave.

Day 7 of there trip was by far the shortest distance only 350kms but it was declared a catastrophic heat wave and fires could break out at any moment. The temperature fose to 39 degrees and Georgia and Maree were carefull to keep Leo and Astro cool despite nearly overheating themselves.

So there it was day 7 they finally arrived in Bendigo after 7 days of driving all four of the horse hore training .org team were weary and extremely hot. It was declared so hot that all elderly people and babies should stay inside and rest. So of course the horse training .org team were outside in the heat travelling through the desert. Well they could not stay where they had been, as it looked like it was about to burst into flames at any moment. Luckily a bushfire was avoided and the horse training .org team finally had a well earned sleep at the Bendigo Show Grounds.

They were to have the following day, friday off before the Expo began.