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HomeYear Review - 2015 - Kerewong Horse Riding
2015 Year Review - Southern Cross Horse Treks
Thinking about the year nothing much seemed to have happened - in my little part of the world. But when I talked about the latest Kerewong updates with someone I last spoke in the beginning of the year, I realised that in fact a lot happened.
The year started with a New Year's Beach Ride and the creation and launch of the new website.
Then I had 2 helpers from Germany, Katharina in April - June and Stefan in August - October. They made me realise I really do need regular helpers on the property and I cannot continue to force myself to do the impossible and do everything alone. Stefan and Katharina pooper-scooped, painted fences, fed horses, pulled out weeds, cleared and burned trees, cleaned stables, tack and windows. They discovered that Kerewong is not just about riding and loving the horses in paradise but that in-between the ride weeks there is a lot of hard manual work to do, a lot less exciting then horse-trekking and talking to interesting guests from different walks of life. Luckily the charming dogs made up for a lot of the boring chores.
I failed in having a holiday or maybe I should say that my house-sitters failed.
I upgraded from taking photos to making movies and installed Youtube for Southern Cross Horse Treks.
I upgraded my horse trailer to transport 4 horses at once.
For two months I feared and took care of Kamal yet again, who almost lost an eye due to an infection but it eventually healed well thanks to his out-of-character good-patient-attitude.
I set out to buy the 12th Kerewong horse, Arabian of course, and was so lucky to find Toby (see photo) who is one of the best natured and friendliest horse on the property - he makes up for Jimmy's Prima Donna moments.
The 5 original Kerewong horses are now 20+ years old, retired and full time pasture ornaments.
I found new accommodation in Hannam Vale so the overnight trek ride (Tour B) can continue in 2016.
There also is a new 36 km day ride to Waitui Waterfalls.
DNA testing proved that my big dog is mainly Dachshund/ Miniature Bull Terrier and my little dog is a Rottweiler / German Shepherd / Border Collie / Staffy.
I fixed the leaking pool yet again but this time for real.
Riders came from Germany, France, England, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Austria, Finland, Denmark, Dubai, USA, New Zealand and Australia. I just finished a very busy 4 months with booked out rides since September and it looks like 2016 is going to be equally busy with already more then usual bookings in the normally quiet first few months of the new year.
Throughout all of this my main focus this year really has been on my troubled rescue dog Bowie and I am relieved to be able to say that indeed we have made immense progress and continue to do so. I had moments of despair but comments from people who knew him a year ago, saying that they would not believe he is the same dog, make me appreciate how far him and I have come. Both dogs come on the rides now, except in high temperatures. Thank you all for putting up with me training them along the way.
MOST of all I want to express my sincere gratitude to all visitors in 2015 who showed compassion and understanding for Bowie's fear-related behaviour problems, which are a result from an abusive past. You really proved you are true animal lovers and with your presence, patience and kindness you have all contributed to the process of his rehabilitation and helped him learn a little bit at the time that people can be trustworthy, kind and fun. Life has been so difficult for him, and for me with him, but if not here with me, where would he be? So thank you so very much, all of you but especially those of you he may have scared for a moment, from the bottom of my heart.
The biggest news of the new year is that in a few weeks time I will have new, self-contained 2-bedroom accommodation available for willing working helpers to do farm property maintenance work and horse care duties. Helpers can now live rent-free in their own space for 1-3 months or longer on the beautiful horse property Kerewong in exchange for a set number of hours of farm work per week.
My intentions for the new year - in addition to keep going with the usual animal stuff - is to do write blogs and newsletter, do some endurance rides with Valentino (who is ready now) and Toby (will be ready later), go on a holiday in Australia, live in the moment, share and enjoy the moments with my horses, dogs and guests in this beautiful place called Kerewong, my home.
In the last riding week of 2015, just before Christmas, two girls from Holland and Germany agreed with each other that I have everything here to make it Paradise: the property, the house, the veranda, the pool, the horses. I thank everyone of you who reminds of this and how special it really is.
Thank you for your love for and kindness to my horses and riding with me in 2015 - and before! - in particular those who returned to Kerewong to ride with me again! There actually were many special return guests in 2015, more then ever before!
Happy New Year!!