I have had an amazing time since I have last written.
My health has stayed steady, and I have recently started jogging again, managing to maintain 15 minutes in my first work out!! So I will endeavour to work on this time and try for longer periods!!
Andy and I have had two major competitions that we have competed very succesfully at.
My mother Jennifer wrote an article for our local paper, which I have included here for you to read!!
ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BROOM
"Local rider Genevieve Broom and her Part-Bred Welsh Galloway “Poplars Farm Anniversary“ (more well-known as Andy) have won the Highpoint Champion Award at the Horse Riding Clubs Association of Victoria Top Teams Trophy Showing Championships. A member of Echuca Adult Riding Club, Genevieve competed in a composite team at Werribee National Equestrian Centre on the Australia Day weekend. The Highpoint Award goes to the most successful combination at each level.
Genevieve and Andy achieved a total of 24 points in Level 2B over a day of events in cool and overcast conditions. Their wins included Champion Led Exhibit, Champion Ridden Exhibit, Reserve Champion Mount Most Suitable for HRCAV, 1st Best Educated Mount, and First in Pairs. Two Seconds and a Third brought the total points to the winning margin.
Earlier in the month Genevieve and Andy competed at the Royal Agricultural Society Summer Horse Show in the HRCAV ring, achieving 2nds for Ridden Mount and Mount Suitable for HRCAV, with Firsts in Best Educated and Mount Suitable for Horse Trials, prompting the judge to inquire of Genevieve, “Is there anything this horse can’t do?” Andy has certainly been a consistent performer over 12 years of Showing, Dressage and Eventing, at first in Rochester Pony Club, in Welsh Society Performance, and now in HRCAV events."
Besides Andy being a star, I have recently found out I will be starring in a musical!! I have the lead role in a small company called Mountain and District Theatre Company in Melbourne, in a show called the Pyjama Game. I will be beginning rehearsals next Monday.
Hope all of you are well!!
GB
March Update!
"Horseying Around"
Andy and I have had a very successful year so far. After success at Melbourne Show, then at Werribee, it was followed up at our next outing, held at Wandin.
On the 9th and 10th of March, the Adult Riding Clubs Association held the Victorian Top Teams Trophy Event for Horse Trials.
Out of over 80 teams, Echuca Adult Riding Clubs "The Girth Gals" placed 2nd.
Our team made up of Linda Law, Debbie Reid, Debbie Brady and myself were rapt to do so well!
Andy and I won our individual section as well, competing in Level 3, as did Debbie Brady in Level 2, so that bumped up our points for the team effort.
Linda and Debbie Reid had a few tricky moments in the cross country phase, which affected them being placed.
We had another team entered, with one of the members placing 5th.
As it was held over 2 days, Mum and I headed down on the Friday and decided to camp, rather than stay in a motel like we have on other previous occasions.
Early mornings could not be avoided as noise started happening from about 5am onwards. Horses neighing, weeing and farting also made sleeping difficult. I love early mornings, but its a bit tricky when you haven't slept well. Looking pretty good here aren't I!!!
Andy and I were also awarded "Sportstar of the Month" in our local paper for our recent success at Melbourne Royal and The Top Teams Showing Event at Werribee.
"The Pajama Game"
I'm well into rehearsals now, and the show is progressing along very well. It's a lovely cast with a friendly atmosphere. Rehearsals are held on Monday and Wednesday nights (in Melbourne) then I usually come home to Echuca and spend the weekends at home.
"Other goings on"
My health is pretty good. My last checkup had my FEV1 at 70% so I was happy with that!! Regular cardiovascular workouts are order of the day, whether it be from jogging or aerobics.
I have also restarted regular meditation in the morning to help control my stress levels and promote more healing and relaxation for my body. When I have time, I will create another page within my website to talk more in detail what I specifically do metaphysically to deal with my health.
Remember we not only have to address healing on a physical level, but on a mental and emotional level as well.
"The Pajama Game WAS the game I'm in!!"
Since February I have been busy rehearsing twice a week for the Mountain And District Music Theatre's "Pajama Game".
We opened on the 14th of June, and completed 6 shows over 2 weeks. I managed to stay well throughout the season, but came down with a cold after the show finished, but at least I got through the season!
The show was well received and it was great working with a new company and a lovely group of people.
A short review was written by Peter Kemp, who has it on his website if you would like to have a peek!! Peter Kemp's Website
The gals and I - L-R Janine Evans (Gladys), Rhiannon Guthrie Jones (Mabel), Lyn Alexander (Mae), Sue Loosz (Brenda), Genevieve (Babe Williams), Anna Moran (Poopsie)
April was a busy month, as I relocated to Melbourne on a more permanent basis. So I have a lovely little unit close by to my sisters and am enjoying an independent life, though I admit that I miss mum and dad's company!! They love coming to stay here though!!
I have moved my horse down to Melbourne also - a beautiful place very close to the mountains, so I get to ride in the most lush forests.
Andy has adjusted very well and seems to love his new home, with plenty of other horses to talk to!!
"Extra, Extra, read all about it!!"
A while ago I joined an acting agency so I could do some TV work.
A while ago I did some extras work for the popular show "Secret Life of Us" - it was the episode called the "The Funny Side" - after that screened I found out how many people I know watch that show!!
More recently I did some extras work for the Ned Kelly film that Heath Ledger is starring in. Though I didn't get to see Heath (damn...hee hee), it was still a very interesting shoot, and it was a real hoot being dressed in 1870's costumes!
That Horsey Stuff!
I managed to fit one more competition with Andy before moving to Melbourne, which was Charlton One Day Event. Andy and I won the open section, also winning the best dressage for the day. Good boy Andy!
And in General.......
Now that Pajama Game is over, I look forward to getting back into my horse massage, and spending more time with family, friends and my beloved horsey! (more competing - yay!!!)
For the most part I have been keeping well, very busy and enjoying life.
My nephew also is enjoying good health and is enjoying school and various activities out of school.
I hope this finds everyone in wonderful health, and I thankyou for your interest in this site.
Until next time!!
I was recently looking at my various webpages and realised quite a lot of changes have taken place since I first compiled various articles.
Most of all what struck me as how my routines have changed since I have become better in health, and physically how that shows.
Once being a rather frail 53kgs at my worst, I am now sitting on 61kgs and actually feeling a bit fat! No one seems to think this is a bad thing except for myself (hee hee). Usually when you discuss with a friend that you've put on weight there is a sympathetic exchance of words, but not for me. Remarks such as
"Well thats great Gen!"
"You need some meat on you girl!"
"You need that extra just in case"
all came into play!
Yeah ok. To tell you the truth, its wonderful. That I don't have to be worrying about weight is fantastic. As my exercise routines have increased so has that wonderful muscle tone that my friends have also always commented on.
Another great thing is that I don't need to sleep as much. For a while sleep was mostly my existence but as my health improved so did the need of sleep lesson.
Its on very rare occasions now that I need to sleep during the day.
My diet is pretty much the same. I stay away from dairy products, wheat and sugar and feel all the better for it. I have even been doing a liver cleansing diet, to help detoxify my liver. I've only got another 3 or so weeks to go on this. If your interested in following this through, I thoroughly recommended Sandra Cabot's Liver Cleansing diet. Its amazing what our poor livers are putting up with. And not only our liver but our whole body.
I have recently being seeing a new chiropractor that was recommended to me by my chiropractor in Echuca. He is a wonderful, dynamic person and is inspiring me to better health. Network Chiropractic is very different to the way we usually associate chiropractors (cracking of bones, etc!).
I'm finding it very challenging, but am confident it will eventually lead me to better health.
Again, a very interesting read that has been written by the man who developed and founded Network Chiropractic, is "The 12 Stages of Healing". Written by Donald M. Epstein.
All the "alternate" things that I wrote about in the past that have contributed in one form or the other to help with my health, I still use. They are as relevent now as they were back then.
Many of you may have read about Belinda Emmett and her recent illness of breast cancer and now secondary cancer. Like so many others, including myself, she is determined not to listen to the "life expectancy" that has been given to her. Instead, she is taking controland power back in her life and is exploring other alternative methods she can use to help her beat her cancer. With such spunk that she has, I am sure that she will do just that.
I am still leading an active life with my horse massage course, my horse riding activities and my singing. Although I haven't been doing a musical this half of the year, I have still been having singing lessons and hope to be active musically next year.
I trust this finds everyone in good health and spirit. Remember to believe in your own healing ability and power. I do!
A dressage rider sprung with alcohol!!!
Danny's "D" party - Happy Birthday Mate!!
Up the back - Simon and Heath. The gals in the front L-R. Mills, Ange, Gen and Kim.
The Echuca/Oakleigh Gang! Kim, Mark and Gen.
The trip to Tasmania! Gen in the first pic, and Jo and Gen and baby Andy in the second picture. July 2002
The gang at my birthday. All looking very classy with wigs and all!! July 2002
Sally, Gen and Greg at Sally's mums wedding. October 2002.
A few pics from Helen (Cossette from Les Miserables!) and Sam's engagement party. Sarah and Gen in the first picture, and Gen and Warren in the second picture. November, 2002.
Genevieve dressed up as a "School Chick" at her sister's recent 40th. The theme was an "S" party. I'm sure throughout all her schooling years Gen displayed the same mature attitude that she does in this picture......!!
December 2002.
Welcome everyone!!
Its amazing to think another year is nearly up. I was reflecting a couple of days ago, that this same time a couple of years ago I was very unwell and several weeks from now was in hospital. The prospect of being in hospital during Christmas was not a nice thing! Please think of the children and adults who will be in hospital over Christmas and the New Year and send them your prayers and love. And to anyone who is going through this right now or has a loved one in hospital, my thoughts are with you. (in a universal way...yeah!)
I've found the hotter weather of late rather taxing on my energy levels and the amount of sputum I am producing. My usual dear friend who gave my acupunture to relieve me of these symptoms is no longer readily available since I live in Melbourne! So I'm currently seeking another acupuncturist here. Remember to keep drinking lots of water and take lots and lots of salt tablets during the hotter weather fellow CFers!
At the moment, a very dear friend of mine is dying. It's not from Cystic Fibrosis, but from Cancer. He is facing it with such courage and strength, despite the fact he doesn't know when it's going to happen. This beautiful man left me with a deep impression the day I visited him. He wouldn't be aware of the gift he gave me, but I thank him all the same for giving me a perspective on life that I didn't have before.
Top Teams Combined Training Championships
I competed at the HRCAV TTT Combined Training Championships on the 8th of Dec, and Andy and I won our individual section, but to add to that, my team won!!!
I was put with 3 lovely people from Rosedale ARC("Rosedale Rugrats") - as none of my club were able to compete.
Andy and I won the dressage, and then had a really bad SJ course - something was wrong with Andy after jump 5 (saddle, girth pinching?). Three jumps in a row, after he had jumped them, on landing he would stop abruptly and do a bit of a buck.
This kind of behaviour is unlike Andy so I knew he wasn't being naughty. Anyway, 3 times I nearly fell off! (I was sitting sorta on his neck each time and would struggle back into the saddle!!!) By jump 8 I had no stirrips and my hat visor was hanging by one button over my eyes. I managed to get one foot back in the stirrip but couldn't get the other, so just had to ride on without it. I had a triple jump to complete, so I pointed Andy and prayed! The beautiful fella jumped the lot. We got this big clap at the end cause I think everyone thought I was a goner! (I did!)
Anyway, I thought I would amass a cricket score of time penalities and I'd be out of the running, but it wasn't so!
I had been feeling crap all weekend, (ongoing sorta from the last 2 months or so) and on Saturday whilst preparing Andy, I wondered should I even bother going. It was an effort to do anything. Sunday it seemed even harder to move myself. I seemed to gain more energy and sass once I got into the saddle though thankfully.
Anyway, for Andy and I to achieve what we did in difficult circumstances made Sunday even richer. I cried lots when telling mum and a few other friends! (joy of course!)
It also all comes back to how thankful I am to have Andy. I don't think a partnership with a horse can be understood unless you are a horsey person and know it from experience.
My love for my horse is the same I have for my dear family and friends, and perhaps in some ways is deeper, because its an unspoken love between us. It can't be expressed in words. Andy just seems to be a ball of love and light that is infectious to not only myself, but many strangers and friends alike who seem drawn to him. Many animals have this effect. What we have shared together has carved such a huge part of my life. Thankyou to my dear boy for enriching my life the way he has.
(Will you MARRY ME??? LMAO!!!)
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
My friends, have a wonderful Christmas and New Year and I wish you all the best of health and happiness for Dec and coming into 2003.
Here are some more of my more recent favourites.
xxoo
Celebrating Kim J's birthday (my room mate). From left to right - Ange, Kim and Genevieve.
My singing teacher Andi, friend Pam, and Andy and I at Wandin Victorian Top Teams Championships, 2002.
Gen and Jo celebrating at the 2001 Georgie Awards.
Gen and her sisters Jo and Sue, dressed up for the Chinese New Year.
Gen and her nephew Timmy, at the old Tram Museum in Bendigo, during one the "Broomies" visits to Bamawm. (Jan 2002)
Lisa - Marie and Gen at the closing night of her very successful show, "Putting it Together". (Feb, 2002)
Gen and her cousins (Dan and Ryan) doing the old self cam shot...during her visit to Sydney in 2001.