2011 TTT Horse Trials winners Bulla Adult Riding Club "6 Feet in the Air"(L-R Tara Hennessy & Belmak Touch of Frost, Carolyn Bailey Lofts & Amore Harmony, Lynden Stannard & Clubs Are Trumps and Cara Neilson & Mithril Horati)
HRCAV TTT Horse Trials 2012 Preview
For those of our readers outside of Victoria (and Australia), it may be worth just outlining what the HRCAV (Horse Riding Clubs Association of Victoria) is and what their TTT (Top Teams Trophy) events are all about.
In its own words, here’s a summary by the HRCAV;
“The Horse Riding Clubs Association of Victoria currently has 205 member Clubs with 5200 individual members spread across Victoria and parts of NSW. The HRCAV caters for a wide range of riders who enjoy the social aspect of Club membership as well as access to the extensive competition system. There is a Club within reach of most Victorians where you can join like minded riders for social activities, lessons/rallies or competition. The HRCAV caters for beginner riders right through to experienced competitors with a level assessment system that ensures that you will compete against others of similar experience and ability”
The Top Team Trophy Championships are hotly contested annual events in each of the disciplines, hosted by a member club (usually the previous year’s winner). These Championships have grown enormously, with these prestigious events enabling competitors of all levels to enjoy the opportunity to compete for their Club as part of a team. In recent times, the very popular Dressage and Horse Trials Championships have attracted hundreds of entries and this year’s Top Team Trophy Horse Trials Championships, to be run by Bulla Adult Riding Club, is no exception with over 400 competitors.
The size of the grounds at Bulla Adult Riding Club enable them to host the event
Organising an event of this size is no walk in the park (or on the cross country course) and often the winning team of the Horse Trials TTT are unable to host the Championships on their own grounds for obvious reasons. The event has previously been held at Werribee Park or Wandin Park where the infrastructure, including a suitable cross country course and rider/horse facilities, is readily available. However, fortuitously, last year’s winners are the Bulla Adult Riding Club who have not only the grounds, facilities and cross country course suitable for the task but also the organisers experienced in running larger equestrian events.
I spoke with the club secretary, Michelle Retra who, along with club president Carolyn Bailey Lofts, is the main co-ordinator for the event to be run at Greenvale Equestrian Park. The Park, owned by the Hume Council, also hosts the Tullamarine Pony Club and Oaklands Carriage Club as well as the usual football, tennis and cricket facilities. Michelle and Caroline have previously run the Bulla ARC Horse Trials and the 2012 TTT Showing Championships so they know the scope of their undertaking and what to expect.
Not just an organiser but a competitor too - club secretary Michelle Retra riding Jack Brown
In fact, having held the TTT Showing Championships in January has proved a bonus as many of the sponsors they secured for that event have stayed on board for the TTT Horse Trials also. Horseland Epping, Black Horse, Campbell Floats, Equiluxe, Lancefield Equine Clinic and Mitavite are among the main sponsors but there are many more providing products and support for the event. People I know who have competed at TTT Championships rave about the great ‘goodie bags’ they receive at these events and, from the long list of sponsors on the TTT Horse Trials website, this year will be no exception.
With over 400 competitors, the event is run over two days with dressage, showjumping and cross country action taking place on both days for all levels. One of the great things about this championship format is that, although the riders are quite competitive and most are out to win, the teams are made up however the clubs see fit. There are a minimum of three riders per team (usually four) who ride as individuals and the best three scores count. Although riders have to be eligible to compete at their level, pre-qualification isn’t required so clubs can form teams that include riders of all levels and abilities. Going back to the ethos of the HRCAV, this means that the Championships are great social events that enable riders wishing to join in to have a go and enjoy the event as well as the competition.
Grade 1 is the highest level (maximum jump height 105cm) and Grade 5 the lowest level (45cm), providing a level of competition for all. The existing cross country course, created by well known course designer Mick Pineo has had a few incarnations, having been burnt down several times due to local grass fires. Luckily the revenue from events, and the willingness of members to get out there and help to rebuild the course, has helped re-create the cross country course. For this event, some brand new portable fences have been built by Albert Putker as well as the introduction of some new permanent fences.
The event will run on Saturday (mainly Grade 4 & 5) and Sunday (Grade 1,2 & 3). For more information about Bulla Adult Riding Club and the event, visit the Club web site http://bullaadultridingclub.com.au/ttt-horse-trials-2012 and we will be bringing you coverage of both days at the TTT Horse Trials Championships this weekend
