The Long Wait - an EI Story
Raylee writes on her EI experience.....
When equine influenza slipped through our national quarantine protocols, few of us could imagine the ripple effect of just one infected horse. Whilst the racing industry took up page after page of newspaper headlines, other equine disciplines and recreational pursuits seemed to just fade into the background, even though these horses and riders make up 80% of the Australian horse industry.
There are thousands of stories nabout the repercussions of EI and the subsequent lock down and zoning strategy. Mine is just one, and as a new member of the Highland Pony Society, I thought I would like to share it.
After breaking my hand in a minor fall from the flighty thoroughbred I had owned for two years, I decided that at 58, what I really needed was an Andalusian with it's legs cut down. For 18 years prior to buying Berry the thoroughbred, I rode a gentleman Andalusian gelding named Mac for both dressage and trail riding. When I said this to a friend she said "you need a Highland Pony! I have two so come over and meet them." I did. I was so impressed that I resolved to have one as my next mount. It is not so easy to buy a trained up Highland as I found out that most are snapped up as yearlings or before their education starts and then are often kept for life. Such are the qualities and appeal of this great breed.
Then, a breakthrough, I heard about CroftCnoc Campbell in Victoria. A well-bred, in work Highland Pony! After a few phone calls to Victoria, I was invited to fly to Melbourne on August 11th to meet and ride him. The weather had been atrocious but it cleard enough for Anna Thirkell to facilitate my needs, and yes, I fell in love with the handsome, comfortable Campbell. He is perfect for me.
The sale was sealed and my excitment rose as I made transport arrangements. But as it turned out, the EI lock down occured just days before the truck was due to collect him for the long haul to Byron Shire in northern NSW in November. Thank goodness this pony was not collected to be stuck somewhere along the way. He could remain safe and in good care on the stud where he was born.
We all thought EI would burn itself out, but now after 4 months, more than 40,000 horses have succumbed and the lock down continues in NSW and Qld. I check the DPI site every few days and the general consensus in horse circles is that it may be late February before this current outbreak is clweared and we have green zones state wide. Even though my area has not had any cases of EI, local riders cannot leave their home paddocks and cannot even take their float to the dump with rubbish in.
So I wait. Campbell waits. Everyone waits. Oh for a large magic carpet! Then I could swoop down to Gippsland, pick up my ample steed and glide smoothly back home to fulfill my dreams. Raylee Delaney - NSW