The workers, Wayne, Daryl and Andrew
Under the cover of one of two large arenas, two of Australia’s top equestrian jump designers have pieced together a new cross country course at New England Girls’ School, Armidale.
Wayne Copping of Adelaide and Daryl Burgess from Quirindi have been busy sawing, screwing and securing treated pine into jump frames of varying designs, with names such as ‘roll tops’, ‘calf cradle’, ‘arrowheads’, ‘bushman’s sleepout’ and ‘The Moxon’s Bakehouse’.
Over the past few months they have designed and built 26 portable and fixed jumping ‘efforts’ and invigorate the NEGS cross country course to two star (intermediate) standard.
“We basically ripped everything out so it was like a greenfields site,” said Wayne Copping, who specialises in redesigning up to 20 cross country courses a year from Western Australia up to Queensland. Among his jobs was the redevelopment of the Sydney Olympic cross country course in 2002, and the Adelaide CCI4*. The aim was to build 30-40 portable jumps covering the five different grades. There’s also a rebuild to a water jump and some ditches fences and creek crossings,” said Wayne, who started redesigning the course after a visit more than two years ago.
Some of the new fences
“A good course has to have set combinations to make it challenging and build pressure on horse and rider. The designer is also the one responsible for course safety, and the number of falls has reduced dramatically with improved education of officials, riders and adherence to the grading rules over the past few years.”
Equestrian Centre manager Andrew Haddad said “We are looking forward to seeing competitors from all over the state here this weekend. We’re going to need 10 dressage rings, so that gives an indication about how big the event will be,” he said. “This event will give local riders the opportunity to compete alongside many of Australia’s elite riders whilst being set in the beautiful grounds of this historic school. The event will cater for riders from Encouragers (45cm) all the way through to CNC 1* with $1000 prize money for the winner of the CNC1* and $500 prize money for the winner of the EvA 105 (Pre-Novice) class.”
The indoor arena
With a great venue, excellent facilities and the show jumping taking place in a new million dollar indoor arena the event will certainly be a pleasure to attend as a competitor. Meanwhile spectators and families will be able to enjoy the trade stands, jumping castle and face painting with plenty of food stands available.
There is a special award for junior riders at the NEGS event – the ‘Circus Star Memorial’. Circus Star (otherwise known as Tubby) was a very special horse who was ridden by Louise Baston some years ago. Mandy (Louise’s mum) told us more ...
“The Circus Star Memorial trophy is about companionship, partnership, love, care and most sportsmanship. Circus star was a horse owned by us, who was prestigious in his own right. Standing at 16.3”hh plus everyone who saw him was envious of the big imposing, impressive grey gelding. We purchased him from Kristy Oatley in 1993 and started his career and partnership of a lifetime. He was kind, gentle giant and always willing to do whatever was asked of him. He hated his dinner being later and would rock the truck or bump the feed bin till he was feed that’s how he got his stable name Tubby.
The companionship and partnership he formed with Louise was so close that the little things he did for her while competing were out of this world. He would catch her if she was losing her balance. He would let her know he could not jump today because he was sore somewhere by not wanting to jump the first jump, otherwise he would jump the moon over and over again.
He could ‘talk human’, would always ask for a cuddles when putting the bridle on or off by turning his neck around nuzzling and then while putting the saddle on he would line you up with his tail, swish, and get you right in the face, then with a wink he’d smile at you. When Louise’s career took her to spend some time with Rozzie and Heath Ryan she loved every minute with her beautiful horse Tubby.
Sadly Tubby was put to sleep on Christmas day 2004 after being bitten by a brown snake. It was one of the most saddest moments in our family and he will always be remembered for his courage, determination and his undying love for Louise and the rest of the Baston family.”
