Forward by Berni Saunders ...

Kate is one of those enthusiastic horse lovers, who effects the people around her with her sense of adventure, optimism and an energy that makes even the most enormous obstacles seem possible. I guess you have to be this sort of person to have a deep passion for eventing - for this is a sport where so many factors  ... the horse ... the rider ... the training ... the bravery ... health and soundness and above all good luck, are so much a part of achieving one's goals.

Right - Kate and Danny

Kate has packed her bags and left family and friends in Australia to join fellow ex-patriots who understand that in a 'mad keen' eventing nation - like the USA, where there are 10 times more people and therefore 10 times more eventing, the opportunities for a talented and dedicated rider are increased dramatically.

When I met Kate, I was fascinated to keep in touch and learn more about her experiences ... she has kindly agreed to formalise this and keep us all in her loop with this new regular feature. Thanks Kate ... here is an introduction

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2007 was a year that was memorable for me for all the wrong reasons. First there was a once in a century flood that taught my horses and I to swim ... as well as leaving us stranded for nearly a week. Then EI struck, with me having the dubious honour of delivering it to the NSW's Central Coast. So with no competitions in my area since June 2007, I had some time to make some decisions and one of those was to take a leap and move to the USA, to further progress my training and riding.

This is a gamble already, paying off for Sally McKechnie, Boyd Martin (working for Phillip Dutton), Ryan Wood (working for Bruce Davidson), Kadi Eykamp and Dominic Schramm. Through Boyd, I was fortunate to be offered a job training and showing for one of Maryland's finest eventing stables, Tewksbury Manor. Margaret Warwick of Branxton very generously allowed me to bring her fantastic palomino Saddlebred, Canyonleigh Sirecho (Rocco) with me. Rocco has had a faultless career in Australia and just loves his jumping. So with a horse and job I was set to join the Aussie invasion of America!!

Whilst not in the most ideal position to move (I had 20 horses in a red zone in QLD that I was unable to sell or move) I planned my Rocco's arrival in America to have enough time to prepare him for the eventing season which begins mid April I arrived before him in January to find my bearings and learn the language, like when an American says supersize they mean SUPERsize!! During this time Jeremy Janjic did an awesome job of bringing him into work and getting him fit. Marg and I were also lucky enough that Christine Crawford (Jeremy's partner) was able to ride him a couple of times which helped his dressage further.

I came back to Australia in February for a few weeks to ride him and prepare him for our move. Let me try to explain how excited I was at this point, I'll just say that I could not have been more excited if I had just found out Brad Pitt had excepted my marriage proposal after all! I had not experienced moving a horse such a distance and into a foreign environment so I just prepared him to be his fittest and healthiest. I knew the feed would be an issue as he was accustomed to the wonderful pasture and quiet environment of my old base, Bellarimbah. So I fed him some Readyfeed which kept him fat and shiny, I had his teeth done and mouth balanced (Joe Raines), my farrier (Nic Carraro) shod him for the last time and my vet (Brett Jones) gave him a clean bill of health. All I had left to do was pay IRT, pay my insurance and cross my fingers!

So I said goodbye to Rocco in Sydney and let him start his journey. 14 hours to Melbourne, 15 hours to LA via NZ, the 5 1/2 hours to New York where I met him. Although he did have a familiar face on board with one of Boyd's horses I could almost see the relief on his face to see me thinking he must have arrived to his final destination.

So I was really unpopular when I loaded him onto yet another truck for the 5 hour journey to Tewksbury! Finally 9 days after he left the Central Coast he stepped into his new home, box number 24, aisle 1. Tewksbury is like heaven for horses. Big roomy boxes with dust free, mite free and hyper allergenic shavings. Who knew shavings could be so technical! They have huge turnouts with horse safe fencing not to mention deer from the woods to hang out with! The barn manager/fountain of knowledge/fixer of everything and new best friend is a very handsome guy by the name of Cowboy (don't know, haven't been brave enough to ask!). Cowboy treats every horse as tho it's won the Kentucky Derby and their happiness is paramount.

Rocco has settled in really well. My accommodation is no less luxurious thanks to the generosity of Cherie and Mel Paisley (Tewksbury's creators). 3 square meals a day plus a bedroom with it's own bathroom and million dollar views. Certainly a far cry from the bunkhouse!!

I took it easy with Rocco for the first few days but he feels great. He's fit, happy and healthy so it's full steam ahead. Rocco's a fantastic jumper but dressage hasn't always been his strength so we headed u to Aussie central, Unionville, PA home of Boyd and Silva Martin, Ryan Wood and Sally McKechnie, for a lesson with Silva. I need to say right here that I've focussed pretty hard on Rocco's dressage and he's a fast learner. But the hour we spent with Silva was like a revelation!!! He's really feeling like he will be able to do a pretty fancy test. So with that I look forward to our first competition.

Kate on a special favourite horse - Danny