Despite more rain overnight the new cross country courses, specifically built for the Horseland PCAV Horse Trials State Championships at Baxter Park, held up very well as nearly 150 Grade 1 and 2 competitors tackled the course today.
Siobhan Glidden and Kahlua Fudge
Horses and ponies of all shapes, sizes and colours (and the coloured horses seem to be becoming more and more popular) ventured forth and most returned, happy with their ride and big pats all round. Parents, grandparents, siblings and friends watched the combinations as they were counted down in the starter box and greeted them at the end, having watched as much of the course as they could, cheering them on. In the video below a Grade 2 competitor tackles the new water complex where most of the crowd gathered
Grade 1 competitor Meryl Dekker from Seville Pony Club was very happy with her Clydie cross, Drummer after her cross country round and they finished in third place in Grade 1A.
CLICK HERE to hear what Meryl thought about the course
Some were not quite so lucky. The experienced combination of Isabella Walsh and TS Swampfox (pictured above and below) were a little hesitant at the new water complex resulting in a bit of a ducking for Isabella but she soon saw the funny side of it! (There actually was a horse called Dunking in Grade 2C which is a name seeming to tempt fate).
Many of the riders had walked the course the previous day with local 3* rider, Del Ogilvy. Del is a well known instructor in the area and she encouraged them to attack the course and ‘stick to your plan’ but she also reminded the riders that ‘we’re not playing for sheep stations here, the main thing is to come back safe’.
A few words from mum as Sam Jeffree gets ready for cross country
One of the pony club mums who events herself, Wendy Jeffree thought that the course walk with Del was a great thing for all of the riders, including her son Sam. 13 year old Sam was riding Parklands Whizz Kid (Charlie) for Macclesfield Pony Club in Grade 2D. Sam admitted to being a little bit nervous before heading out on what he thought was quite a tough cross country course but Wendy said she felt even more nervous than Sam!
Megan Feore and Chuckie finish their cross country
A slightly older rider in Grade 2C was Megan Feore riding 17 year old Chuckie. A 21 year old, Megan is studying at Melbourne University but still loves competing at pony club events while her friend and fellow Berwick Pony Club member , Donna Ford was enjoying her last ever pony club event. At 25 years of age, Donna is hanging up her Pony Club boots but she went out on a high, winning the Grade 2D class on her horse Heavenly Bliss.
CLICK HERE to hear what Donna had to say about her final pony club competition
By the end of the day it was smiles all round for the winning team from Hastings Pony Club (above) consisting of Jay Collimore riding Manhattan, Tamara Campain riding Rockingham Tiggerific, Lily Morrison riding Diestro Montaro and Stephanie Comfort riding Absolutely Regendary. The day was over quite early so a large contingent stayed for the presentations, gathering around the very popular canteen which was serving up excellent hamburgers as fast as they could cook them for a hungry crowd.
The presentations took place in front of a Lakota float, one of the main supporters of the event, and the many placegetters and winners received various goodies from Horseland and the many other generous sponsors. The horses weren’t forgotten and vast amounts of carrots were won as a part of the obligatory raffle, drawn whilst awaiting the presentations
After a day of well organised competition on very good grounds, it was time to load up the floats and head for home. Some had won ribbons, others had smart new rugs but it seemed that all, from competitors to officials, had enjoyed the 2012 Horseland PCAV State Championships. The general opinion is that it was 'hats off' to the Southern Metropolitan Zone and Mornington Peninsula Pony Club for hosting a great championships!
For more photos from the Horseland PCAV Horse Trials State Championships visit the Photo Gallery and there are lots more to come, along with a few more videos in the next few days
Full results to come. Winners are;
Team
Hastings Pony Club
Grade 1A
Jay Collimore and Manhattan (Hastings)
Grade 1B
Tamara Campain and Rockingham Tiggeriffic (Hastings)
Grade 2A
Sarah French and Victory (Riddells Creek)
Grade 2B
Alyssa Calaby and Galliard (Barwon Valley)
Grade 2C
Lauren Peters and Folklore (Oaklands)
Grade 2D
Donna Ford and Heavenly Bliss (Berwick)
