“We’ve been absolutely blown away by the response to entries; we’d filled all of our classes within 3-4 days apart from the 3*”
The event that nearly disappeared from the Australian eventing calendar is now proving to be one of the top competitions at the start of the year and there are plans for it to get better and better thanks to a very supportive ‘large but local’ business Hanson Australia and the ‘can-do’ committee. This year the event has started with some dressage classes on Friday to try and cater for the maximum number of riders
Kate Wallis is the President of the Tonimbuk Horse Trials committee that got the show back on the road a few years ago and she tells us more about this year’s event, future plans and how she manages to run an event and ride (easy - get Michelle Debenham in!)
Kate Wallis
Two of the high profile riders mentioned, Megan Jones and Rob Palm were in action today. Rob was riding the young Halcyons Total Joy in the EvA80A and, if the horse’s name doesn’t give it all away, you get a good idea from the look of her and the way she moves.
By the great dressage stallion Totilas, she is out of the James family’s Halcyons Dark Secret who was campaigned by Rob at 3* level but who sadly died last year
Definitely one to watch this weekend - Rob Palm and Halcyons Total Joy
Halcyons Total Joy is currently in third place in the EvA95A on a score of 30.6 behind Tarryn Proctor on Koyuna Code Breaker and Kelly Mort, leading on board Koyuna Centurion with a score of 29.80
Megan and HF Wheels of Steel
Megan Jones’ first ride on the HF Wheels of Steel was not a record breaker in the EvA80A, currently led by Madeleine O' Callaghan on EA Mystique, but Megan was just happy to get the leggy off the track thoroughbred to a competition as he has been out of work pretty much ever since they got him due to illness.
She has her Squad listed horse Kirby Park Impress here in the CIC3* and will be looking for a strong start to the year in the lead up to Sydney International 3 Day Event, which will be an important selection event
“Basically we’re going to Sydney to win” says Megan. We’ve got a full interview with Megan on her aims for 2018 coming up soon but here’s a little snippet …..
Interim scores for Tonimbuk available here
