Eliza Rose (Saker x Kathryn Rose)
by Jane Hodges |
I purchased Eliza Rose in July 1999 from Mrs Calvert of Harwood Arabian Stud as an unbroken three year old. Once Eliza had settled into her new home I, with the help of a very dear friend, started to break her in; we could not believe how well Eliza got on with each new task she was taught. Everything was taken so calmly in her stride and she didn’t even batter an eyelid when backed, there was no bucking, no evasions. She just loves her work and it was very clear to see that she just wanted to please you.
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Joanne Woodward riding Eliza Rose at HOYS 2006
Photo: Steve Dawe / Real Time Imaging |
I had never shown before, so it was going to be the first showing experience for both Eliza and me. We started with in-hand classes at a few local shows; we both had a lot to learn. After Eliza had done a season of in-hand showing we then tried our hand at the ridden classes. Eliza was great! She never got over excited, always doing her best to please. However, I found myself too nervous riding in the public eye and felt I needed to give Eliza the chance to move on with someone who had more experience at ridden showing. This was when I first got in touch with Victoria Ayling. |
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Victoria confirmed my belief that Eliza had great potential and so the hard work began. Victoria and Eliza were placed in every novice class they entered and I felt very excited and proud of Eliza. Just when everything seemed to be going smoothly, very sadly, in the month of May 2002, my daughter died in very tragic circumstances. We had already planned to enter Eliza for The Arab National Show in Malvern and it was the knowledge of the love my daughter had for Eliza that gave me the strength to carry on and take her. Eliza came 3rd in the novice ridden. My daughter would have been so proud of us.
The following year Victoria and I started to prepare Eliza for the 2003 showing season when Eliza had a near fatal accident! All showing plans came to a halt. With a lot of nursing Eliza thankfully recovered, she would still need a long rest to be ready for showing so I decided to put her in foal. Eliza turned out to be a very good mum, having no problems and as usual just got on in her new role as mother to a colt who was named after my daughters birth stone we called him Midnight Amethyst he is out of Kasadi also from Harwood Arabian Stud (stable name Ollie) born at 10 mins to midnight on the 12 July 2004. Unfortunately and with great sadness due to emotional stress at that time I had to sell him, and hope he is with someone that loves him as he is a ‘chip of the old block’ and I’m sure will take after his mum and be a very loyal horse.
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Victoria Ayling riding Eliza Rose
at SEAHG Autumn Show 2006
Photo: www.horsesenips.com |
It’s hard to believe we were three years away from the show ring and by the time she was ready Victoria was already committed to riding a mare for the 2006 season. So we decided to enlist the very kind help of Joanne Woodward. Eliza was entered in the novice and open classes at Wales and West. She won her novice class and went on to come 5th in the open and to add the icing to the cake she won the reserve, reserve champion! I was so overwhelmed with happiness I could have burst.
Later at the Bath and West Show, Eliza was pulled in at 3rd place in the open, she also came 5th at the SEAHG Summer Show, and to my elation, Victoria and Eliza won their HOYS ticket at Bicton. Eliza then had a well-earned rest before we took her to the SEAHG Autumn Show where she was placed 2nd. |
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As time drew near I became very excited with the thought of going to HOYS, not just to spectate, but especially the feeling of having my own horse being a part of it. When HOYS arrived, Eliza was a ‘pro’, taking everything in her stride. I have to say that when I watched Joanne and Eliza in the ring it was one of my proudest moments, and to top it all Eliza came 6th, wow what a season. I still get goose bumps when I think about the journey we have travelled through.
My heart-felt thanks goes to Victoria for all the training and belief in Eliza she has had over the years and to Joanne for riding Eliza this season. Special thanks also to my husband and children, for putting up with me spending long hours away from home and finally to our beautiful mare Eliza Rose.
Look out for Eliza and Victoria next year hopefully they will be out in the show ring for 2007 |
Eliza Rose at Bath & West 2006
Photo: Horsepower Photos |
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