Who will be taking home the NSW State Eventing Championships Trophy?
This weekend will see the running of the NSW State Eventing Championships at the beautiful property, Lynton, which is situated just outside Goulburn, NSW.
For many years Lynton has provided a much talked about venue. This is not just because of the challenging course, designed and built by Neil Kennedy or the fact that it is treated by many riders as the perfect lead up event to the up-coming Australian International 3 Day Event in Adelaide but often the weather is the topic of conversation when the words Lynton Horse Trials are mentioned.
Over the years there has been sun, serious sun that has frizzled even the most sun-blocked, hat wearing jump judge. Then there has been snow, enough snow for children to build snowmen not to mention rain, enough rain for organisers to call in a local company on dressage morning to build a road across the paddock to get trucks in and out. Well this year the weather map looks … okay – let’s say no more and talk about the weather, if we have to, later this week.
One of the appealing things about Lynton Horse Trials is that for those riders wanting to ride at a three day event they can do that, at 3* and 1* level, over three days, rather than the usual four or five. Trot up for both CCI classes takes place on Friday afternoon with the field of nine in the CCI3* class also doing their dressage test. Tim Boland must be a strong contender to take the 3* title as he has been on great form with Lord Limmerick lately, while last year's winner, Robert Palm, will be riding Visual Laughter this year and hoping for a back to back win.
Last years CIC3* was won by Stuart Tinney riding Pluto Mio (seen above) and they are back again this year but will have some strong opposition with the 2012 Australian International CCI4* winner Craig Barrett riding Sandhills Brillaire along with Shane Rose riding Taurus, the horse he came so close to riding at the London Olympics. Victorian riders are well represented in the CIC3* class with Will Eniznger, Katja Weimann, Robert Palm and Cassie Webb making the trip north to Goulburn. Meanwhile Charlotte Price will be driving south from Queensland to ride Kinnordy Gambia.
With around fifty combinations in the CIC2* all the signs are that there will be a good field for the 2* class at Adelaide this year. This class should be really exciting as many combinations have enjoyed successful seasons and it will be interesting to see who comes out on top at the end of the day.
Although the CCI* class only has seven riders, nearly forty combinations will front up for the CIC* class and let’s not forget the National classes of EvA 105 and EvA95 with three sections in each class.
A mysterious hand keeps busy painting one of the Lynton cross country fences
The small but dedicated team from Lynton Horse Trials has been working hard for months to make sure that everything is in place for the event, including the very popular toilet and shower block, which made its first appearance at last year's event!
It's showtime again!
“I think we’re organised,” said Geordie Kennedy, secretary and organiser of the event. “We’ve certainly spent a lot of time out at Lynton building jumps, painting jumps and all the other jobs that go hand in hand with running an event so I hope the riders all enjoy a great weekend.”
The committee from Lynton Horse Trials are very aware that this event would not be possible if it were not for the support from both local and non-local businesses and associations. “I would love to take this opportunity to mention our long time supporter Baxter Boots who have been our title sponsor for many years and without whom we would not be able to provide the riders with an event of such exceptionally high standard. This year we actually have 23 sponsors and supporters this year and are delighted to welcome some of those companies to our event with their tradestands including saddlery and riding companies: Saddleworld Mittagong, Birds Equisports, Horsewerks, Ulladulla Saddlery, Valley Horse Wear and Fat Pony Apparel.”
Lynton Horse Trials will also be the last event in the Alltech Equine Advantage series before the final takes place at next year's Sydney 3 Day Event. So this will be the last chance for those riders entered to not only win some extra prize money but pick up more points towards winning the fantastic prize of a trip for two to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian GamesTM 2014 in Normandy, France. To see who is leading the Alltech leaderboard CLICK HERE
We will be there from Friday taking photos, videos and chatting to riders from across the board and will have reports and photos up on the website each night, so make sure you tune in for all our 4* coverage and if you haven’t joined as a 4* member why not do that now so you don’t miss out on any of the action.
