Taking a peak at the judges marks
Brookleigh is a compact event run on well-established grounds around the Swan River in the popular tourist area of the Swan Valley, near Perth.
All competitors riding at pre novice and above enjoyed the luxury of riding their dressage in the superb indoor arena at Brookleigh. Set in a quiet corner of the showgrounds, the arena has a raised viewing platform for spectators. Brookleigh is a multi purpose function venue with a health spa and popular restaurant, and at times the gathered crowd of spectators included guests from the wedding which was running concurrently with the one day event.
The preliminary competitors were the first to ride their tests, which they did on grass in three level arenas. Some competitors seemed to be taken by surprise to find all tests being ridden in a 20 x 40m arena. These arenas were well-covered and flat, though the sandy ground was fairly hard as there had been little rain in the run up to the event. Some horses were challenged by the close proximity of the busy Great Northern Highway which ran within a few metres of the dressage boards, causing some spooky behaviour.
From pre novice and above the competitors enjoyed the opportunity to ride in the spectacular Brookleigh indoor arena with its huge arched windows. As the rain fell outside, Sunday’s jumping tracks will surely benefit from some of the first rains of the Autumn in this area.
Let's hope none of the horses stop to eat the produce
At the end of the first day of dressage at WAYER at Brookleigh, there can only be one winner in the CIC***. Anthonia Hartley and Due Heed were the only combination to start in the top section and posted a steady score of 56.13%. In the CIC**, five riders came forwards to compete for the prize and after dressage, the only male rider in the field, Lindsay Honey, leads the way. Despite a confusing moment when the judge at C incorrectly rang the bell for an error of course and then apologised, Lindsay continued to ride a consistent test, which earned him a score of 65.06% with Bindaboo. Lauren Browne and the striking chestnut Dakota Ultra Easy were rewarded for a tidy test, which earned them 61.98% and second place overnight.
Junior prelim dressage leader Louis McWhirter felt that Tom Compagnoni’s cross country track looked ‘gutsy’, especially in the first half of the course: “Its one of the best courses in WA, and the water looks interesting,” added the sixteen-year-old schoolboy, who will be aiming to hold onto his dressage lead with his mother’s fifteen year old Warmblood, Belstone Matisse. In the senior prelim section A, Jessamy Walsh set the standard from first draw with Borris Campbell, and her mark of 73.18% was never bettered. Elizabeth Moore came closest, earning 70.91 for second overnight with Mikenny’s Caruso. Jessamy sat in third overnight in the other senior prelim section with Johnnie Walker, less than 1% behind Racquel Bennett and The Libertine. Wayne Brush and Milennium Edition head this section on 72.27%.
The licensed Holsteiner stallion Noblewood Park Cougar caught the judge’s eye in the senior pre novice with a smart test that earned him 71.8%, ahead of Emma Pearson and Delamerie Call me Gus (69.60).
The show jumping will run tomorrow on an outdoor all weather arena (pictured above) which was watered prior to the evening’s rainfall.
One of the cross country fences
Report and photos by Kate Herren
