2009

Vanessa returned from the UK in a wheelchair. She was in excruciating pain due to a condition that the doctors called "Femero Acetabulem Impingement", which basically meant deterioration of both hip joints. In anticipation of what others would say, Vanessa's question to the surgeon was, "So do I have to blame the horses with this too?". The answer was a relief "no, you can blame your parents".

Either way, she was going to need two total hip replacements. Whilst waiting for surgery, she had donated her property 'Gold Fields' to the Midland Zone of Pony Club Victoria to host their State Championships and there was work to be done.

She set about enlisting the help she needed to design and build a cross country course; clearing the property and setting up areas for camping and hosting an event with hundreds of people all at her own expense.