Sam Lyle riding JR Dirty Deeds (above) narrowly missed taking out the trifecta in the HYGAIN 1* class at the Canberra CNC last weekend, Jack Hayden riding Sandhills Bounce stole his thunder by placing second. Sam finished third and fourth in the class, each of his rides finishing on their dressage score. The highest placed junior in the class was the stylish Lachie Dawes riding Sandhills Piper.
The event attracted over 250 riders and horses with many families taking advantage of the range of classes running from Newcomers up to 1*. The Monaghan/Curtis family came from Orange and had three generations riding with an age span of over 56 years. The youngest riding member of the family, 11 year old Sam riding Ghost placed 5th in the Kingston Horse Supplies Junior Newcomers. It was also wonderful to see many seasoned horses and ponies looking after a new generation of riders. The Doak’s amazing 23-year-old Brego with the tiny Gemika Gilbert–Cosier and the super SS Oberon ridden by Gabe, the younger brother of Maddie Reisner, enjoyed being out and about. Both horses looked after their riders in the Junior Newcomers.
The experienced Brego can take care of several riders at once
All of the dressage classes were ridden on the groomed and watered sand arenas and some spectacular scores were posted. It would become apparent that even a test score of over 70% was no guarantee of a spot in the line-up at the end of the event. Many combinations were challenged by a tough show jumping track held on the Wallaroo Equestrian grass show jumping arena. The placings after dressage were quickly re-arranged as rails fell and this phase became the most influential test over the weekend.
All smiles after this round!
The Ben Smith designed cross country course, overseen by local TD Merry Branson, flowed well for all levels and included new fences and changes to the established tracks. The stunning presentation and the great going were captured on camera by WIN TV.
The Horseland Canberrra and Over The Top Equipment EvA 1.05 classes saw Jade Findlay take out Section B riding F1 Reims and come second to Jye Thurgate riding My Caballo after a rail show jumping in Section A on Bloomers Celsiana. Talented junior rider Rachel Temm riding Tamaru Dom Perignon came second to Jade in Section A.
The Bucas Horse Rugs Australia and Southern Stars Saddlery EVA 95cm winners Kim Leibowitz riding Widgee Total Tribute and Tallara Barwick and Stoneleigh Sunday Rose, both respectively finished on their dressage score and were two of the very few to go clear show jumping. Birthday girl Tori Doak was the highest placed junior in Section A and came third overall in the class too, riding the lovely young prospect Blackall Park Rap. Sarah Clark was the highest placed junior in section B riding ASH Starlight, and also third overall in the section. Special mention to the Event Secretary Kate Mackenzie, riding Fairground Astro, who picked up forth in Section A.
Jack Hayden and Sandhills Bounce, second in the HYGAIN 1*
The Horsezone Section A, Tuff Horse Rugs Section B and Main Event Photography Junior EvA 80cm classes, saw an astonished winner of Section A. Jack Hayden riding Cadfour Ciarrai luckily had a brilliant dressage score that helped him when a total of 16 was added after the show jumping, leaving him just 0.1 ahead of second place getter Samantha Harrison riding Buckwell Park Profile. Also in this section, the Event Director Rachel Stephen-Smith riding Summer Rhythm picked up a fourth placing. In Section B Georgia Leva riding Alberta won, finishing on a very respectable dressage score. Second place went to Amy Jane Andrews riding Sanden grove Bobby Royal. The junior section was won by Haley Howe riding Junior Blue Trooper, taking the victory from Antoinette Inglis riding His Royal Emblem (both finishing on their dressage scores).
The Funky Brew Coffee open EvA 60cm and Kingston Horse Supplies Junior EvA 60cm, saw some remarkable 30-and-under dressage test scores. These scores ensured the top two placings, despite falling rails in the show jumping in the open class. Local rider Karen Yanik riding Gramayre Deon won from Christan Trainer riding Glenhill Geronemo, who, despite leading after dressage, had three expensive rails in the show jumping. The junior class, possibly the cutest on record, was won by Olivia Peters riding Sym Razor from Alexandra Inglis riding Bimbadeen Stirling.
With over 150 volunteers, invaluable sponsorship from businesses (local & beyond), and support from local equestrian clubs, the National Capital Horse Trials committee and competitors are indebted for their time and effort. The result was a fun and friendly weekend of fantastic competition, topped off by stunning Canberra weather and the park green from the recent rain.
Photos Fiona Gruen and John Fitzgerald
Many thanks to Fiona Gruen for this report and photos
Watch Sam Lyle's winning cross country video ride here - you can order your video from Canberra here
