Vicki and Jeff now have two daughters, and yesterday she was frantically busy moving between the show hunter and showjumping rings and the truck, as support for granddaughters Chloe (11) and Lucy (9) Browne, and looking after their three-year-old sister Annabelle.
“It is chaos but such fun,” says Vicki of her ‘roadie’ with daughter Emmalee’s children.
The Mystery Creek four competed at the Wairoa show, then travelled on to Gisborne.
A changing of the guardLast night there was a changing of the guard. Jeff drove into town and Vicki drove out.
She has a very important date today at Ellerslie, where she and 63 others will cheer on Hattie Bee in the Karaka Million.
Mare Hattie Bee was bought and syndicated by Emmalee, and trained by Emmalee and husband David.
The horse’s name was chosen by Gisborne equestrian identity Kaye Williams — one of those in the Fun and Fascinators Syndicate, which is predominantly made up of female showjumpers.
“It’s huge just to be in the race,” says Vicki of the race for two-year-olds that runs at 7.50pm.
As exciting as the race in Auckland is, the trio of Browne youngsters at the Gisborne show have a different focus.
“The best thing was the Rere Rockslide,” says Chloe.
“The Champagne pools were cool, too, but there were eels.”
The girls, whose escapades resulted in bruises on their knees, love hanging out with their nan.
“Grandma is a very good grandma,” says Chloe. “She does everything for us.”
Vicki sees it a little differently.
“These three have been brought up to do their own ponies so they are out of bed at 6am, mucking out and getting organised.
“They are easy to look after but I am absolutely exhausted.”
It’s clear she adores it and says their 10 days on the road have been an “absolute ball”.
Vicki and the two oldest girls discuss the best way to juggle all their classes in the two equestrian disciplines, which often involves quick dashes — by Grandma predominantly — from ring to ring.
Lucy’s efforts at Gisborne have already qualified her in the show hunter at the prestigious Horse of the Year.
Annabelle is not competing yet but likes to ride Idaho around the Showgrounds whenever possible.
Lucy and Chloe love training with two-time Australian Olympian Jeff, and aspire to ride at the Olympics – “just like Grandpa and (aunt) Kate (McVean, now Laurie”, who rode for New Zealand at the 2008 Olympics).
They get plenty of tips from Kate, who has been hugely successful at many a Gisborne show, and now lives in Australia.
One of their favourite pastimes is to watch their family idols ride.
“Like seeing Grandpa jump two metres — it is amazing,” says Chloe. “And Kate at the Olympics.
“We couldn’t do this without Mum, Dad, Grandpa and Grandma. They all do so much for us.”
