It's October 4th ...

10/4/2011

Not such a memorable day, unless you're Pick a Card, the New Zealand Thoroughbred who now goes by the name of Sydney. Yep, it's his special day. Sydney is officially nine years old today.

Fall birthdays are not so common here in the US, especially for Thoroughbreds who all share the same birthdate, January 1. Spring and early summer are much more common seasons for foaling. Sydney was born in the spring though, just not in this hemisphere. He was born in New Zealand, which experiences the seasons opposite to ours.

I am following the blog, Ride Groom Feed, the journal of a New Zealand rider, and I had to laugh a bit at her welcome spring type of posts. Her photos are beautiful - lush green grass, snow capped peaks ... That's what got me thinking about spring in October and that Sydney actually was a spring baby. It also got me thinking about the life that Sydney has led. Born on the other side of the planet, shipped off to the USA, and now living in Bakersfield, California. I bet his breeder never imagined that!

Happy Birthday, Dude!

Sydney at his first dressage "show," the October Ride-a-Test. Judge Mary is explaining his scores.

Jack and Lego's Ma

10/4/2011 12:27:25 am

Jack is in the same boat, imported to the US from NZ in 2000 at the ripe age of 6! His Bday is June 10th. Who woulda thought he'd end up in Bakersfield? :) Both horses really couldn't have gotten luckier being owned by such awesome horse gals though, wouldn't you say? :) Happy Birthday Sydney!

Kelly RGF link

10/4/2011 08:35:46 am

Hehe, thanks for the shout-out Karen :) And happy birthday to Sydney!

Karen Sweaney

10/4/2011 11:09:47 am

Jack and Lego's Ma - I would agree! Lucky ponies ...

Kelly RGF - you're quite welcome. Hubby and I are very interested in all things Kiwi! It's on our list of places, but your winter (our summer) weather worries us. Hubby says you're a "tropical island" since you're in the south pacific. I disagree. I think winters are probably cold, wet, snowy, and probably dreary. Well?

10/5/2011 04:49:13 am

Haha! Well, I wouldn't call us a *tropical* island, but winter's not that bad. I depends on where you are in the country (it varies widely), and what you're comparing it to ;)

It does snow a bit down in the South Island, but not where I live. In fact, we've had beautiful winters this year and last - cool (0-15 deg C/30-60 deg F) with only the occasional frost, and not too much rain. It gets a bit nasty in late winter/early spring - that's typically the coldest and wettest.

But come visit in summer (your winter)! Wouldn't it be nice to have back-to-back summers? :) Summer is typically 10-27 deg C (50-80 deg F) in Taranaki, with other parts of the country hitting 90 deg F or more.

So ... it probably DOES rain more, and is colder, than California ... but it's totally workable :) (Though possibly my bias is showing!)

10/5/2011 12:44:32 pm

Kelly RGF - thanks for the info! My husband and I really love to travel and your island is on our list. We went to Scotland this summer, and Peru the summer before. And before that, Ireland, The western US, Hawaii, and on and on. Hubby REALLY wanted to do New Zealand this summer, but I was worried about going during your winter. It's definitely on our list. We've thought about going during Christmas in a year or two. When we get ready, you'll be my first contact!!!!!!

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