An arial shot of Brookleigh
Today will see the start of the W.A.Y.E.R at Brookleigh event, which may well be the last event to happen at Brookleigh as the back section of the property where the cross country course is situated is on the market. Swan River Horse Trials who have also been running events at Brookleigh for some time are now looking at developing a new venue but this year they will run their event at another established course.
But back to this year where the CIC2* and CIC3* star classes will do their dressage tonight in the indoor school where the Para Olympian Sharon Jarvis riding Parkiarrup Edward will ride the dummy test for Ground Jury members Gill Rolton, Helen Christy and Elaine Greene. Running in the CIC3* class are a number of riders who are aiming for Melbourne CCI* in June. Sonja Johnson will be riding Parkiarrup Illicit Liaison (owned by Mrs Nikki Harwood) and Belfast Mojotio (owned by Rebecca Bell). Other riders include Makayla Wood riding Just Corona, Lindsay Honey with Bindaboo, Blinda Isbister on Holly Bruce and Tim Ellis.
Sonja is particularly excited to be riding at Brookleigh this year for various reasons. “This is the third year W.A.Y.E.R. have run the event which is called the Olga Reveler memorial CIC in memory of Nikki's mum who past away three years ago in June. I have never managed to compete at the event before because two years ago I had broken my pelvis just before the event and last year I was over preparing for Sydney – in the hope of Olympic selection. Olga, who owned and loved Illicit Liaison, was a very special person to me and kindly allowed me to adopt her as my grandmother after mine had died. So to win this event on Olga's horse would be a very special moment for me.”
Jessamy Walsh and Better on Sunday are congratulated by Nikki Brooks (now Nikki Harwood) of Brookleigh at last years event
Photo: Kate Herren
One new concept at this year’s event is coming from Darren Dawes via RedFhotos who will be doing coverage of the CIC3* class thanks to 'RedFoto.T'. We’ll find out more about how all that went when Sonja Johnson sends us her article on the event next week.
