Over 250 riders are looking forward to riding at Wallaby Hill one day event this weekend including not just some of Australia’s top event riders but also a few of Australia’s top dressage riders.
As the season gets underway Wallaby Hill is providing an outing for 3* horses by running the PMH Building Co Combined Training class. The five riders in this class, which include John Twomey on Wade Equine Highly Recommended and Emma Scott on Mustang, will ride their dressage tests in the magnificent indoor arena with the first horse on at 5.15pm on Saturday.
John Twomey at Adelaide
Moving onto the Gow Gates Insurance CNC2* where Tim Boland has two rides with Umunga and Mercator Du Ry (usually ridden by Sophie Adams). Heath Ryan and Aspire R (who manages to compete at top level dressage and eventing) will no doubt be hoping for a good performance, but some of Heath’s attention may be diverted to watching two other dressage riders, Brett Parbery and David Shoobridge - both having their first start in the eventing world in the preliminary sections.
Spectators should keep an eye out for Stuart Tinney riding Annapurna in the Macarthur Urology CNC*. This talented mare, owned by Jane and John Pittard who also own Pluto Mio, is out of the same mare (Call of the Wind) as Pluto and certainly one to watch as she makes her way up the grades. Stuart is also riding the lovely grey, War Hawk, owned by Corinna and Darren Huskinson who are making their debut as ‘owners’ of an event horse.
Annapurna with her half brother Pluto Mio and owners Jane and John PIttard
In amongst organizing and running the event at her home Alex Townsend is also finding time to compete. “I have a great team of people around me, which is the only way I am able to compete at ‘my own’ event,” said Alex. As last count Alex will be riding three horses this weekend!
The EvA 105 class has been split into senior and junior sections with 10 juniors, including the three of our bloggers - Gemma and Jaymee Tinney and Maia Guppy Hall all hoping to be up amongst the ribbons.
The ever smiling Alex Townsend
The lower level classes are full of green horses, green riders and those riders who simply enjoy their eventing at that level. Thankfully the Robertson area, where Wallaby Hill is situated enjoyed some good rain a couple of weeks ago so the ground should be pretty good. The course itself will be beautifully presented as always but that certainly doesn’t stop it being challenging. Maybe it’s because it’s one of the first events on the NSW calendar and the horses are still getting back into eventing as there are often a few problems over the first few pretty straightforward fences. Having said plenty of smiling faces will be seen on those people coming through the finish flags.
The dressage tests at Wallaby Hill get underway at 8.30 Saturday morning with showjumping for the lower grades starting at 9.30am. Sunday will see rest of the showjumping taking place from 8.30am, while the cross country action begins at 9.30am with the Imax Gold EvA80 junior division B and runs up the grades until around 2.45pm.
For directions as to how to get to Wallaby Hill CLICK HERE
