Although many of the big names of Victorian eventing were busy practising their show jumping at the Grand Valley Classic in the Yarra Valley, the Pakenham Horse Trials held at the Pakenham Pony Club in Upper Pakenham was positively packed with horses and riders competing at the lower levels. The man on the gate apologised that I had to park so far away from the action then kindly managed to squeeze me into a spot when his friend moved his Ute.
In fact nothing is really far away from anything at this very good Pony Club facility. Although it looks treacherously steep as you drive in (affording lovely views over the valley) the club has made good use of the land to create tiers for the arenas, including a large main arena at the bottom which was upgraded in 2010 and housed two dressage arenas for this event. The new cross country starts higher than in previous years and traverses the hills, offering some lovely long gallops, enough up and down to make it interesting and a short uphill to the new finish line.
Donna Ford and Heavenly Bliss make the pull up the hill towards the finish of the cross country course look easy
Over the past three years approximately 50 new jumps have been built and the track quality improved by grading work. In 2011 the well known Victorian course designer Ewan Kellett was commissioned to design a new 15 metre wide water jump complex which was built after last year’s event and was in use for the first time at this event. It certainly is impressive, well designed and attractive; certainly the riders and officials all seemed to approve.
The Preliminary water fence beautifully negotiated by Francesca Greene and Esprit de Corps
Local rider Katja Weimann shows all her experience as she guides one of her lower level horses Max through the Preliminary part of the new water complex
Checking out the water fence between classes - everyone seemed very happy with the new complex and the base
Three EA classes were being held here this weekend; Pre-Novice, Preliminary and Introductory as well as Pony Club Victoria Grades 1 – 5.
First timer at a Horse Trials (looking remarkably composed) was Jemma Turner on a lovely coloured pony, Bits n Pieces (above). This is Jemma’s home ground for Pony Club and her mum, Michelle says that it is a great club to belong to and it is certainly a very good venue with excellent facilities for eventing
CLICK HERE for full results from the event
CLICK HERE for Pakenham Horse Trials Photo Gallery
