Last week just about every stable at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre was full. Horses and ponies could be seen everywhere and those people who were not making the walk from the stables to dressage or show jumping arenas could be seen queuing for coffee. Equestrian NSW State Interschool Championships were on and although I went along to watch the eventing competition the next few days were equally busy as riders also took part in Combined Training, Showman, Vaulting, Dressage and Showjumping classes.
Maia Guppy Hall gets ready for cross country
Nearly 500 entries were taken with 430 horses on site and 254 taking part in the eventing competition. After torrential rain hit several parts of NSW including the Sydney region early in the week many phone calls were made to the organisers Vicki Burgess and Elysha Sargent to check that the event was still running. Those people quickly discovered that a bit of rain was going to do nothing to stop the running of this popular event. “It’s more dangerous when we are in drought and have rain,” said Vicki, “because that’s when horses are more inclined to slip. At the moment we have deepish mud, which is shouldn’t cause too much of a problem.”
Hannah and her mum - both happy after the dressage phase
After chatting to young riders and their parents the one overwhelming comment that came out about this competition is the camaraderie of the riders who all came representing their own school. I caught up with 17-year-old Hannah Phillips and her mum Jocelyn as Hannah finished her dressage test in the EvA80 senior class looking pleased. “Yes I’m pretty happy with the test. I’m riding Angel who is 12 and a really good all round horse. I have had her for seven years so we know each other pretty well. She hadn’t really done anything when I first got her so it’s a nice feeling knowing that I have got her this far.” When I asked Hannah what she liked about the Interschool competition she was quick to reply, “I get to have a talent which my school (Gosford High School) recognizes. They always acknowledge things like athletics but this is my chance to show what I can do. It’s great fun too – I love going away with my school. It’s going to be a busy few days because Angel is a really good all round horse so we are doing pretty much everything.”
“Coming away to Interschool is a good opportunity to spend time with some children and parents from your school that you might never, otherwise, get to know,” Jocelyn agreed. “It’s also nice to do something outside of Pony Club. The camaraderie of everyone is something that I think these competitions foster and regardless of the weather we’ll all have a good time.”
Hannah certainly started off her Interschool campaign well when she led the dressage phase of the event and went on to finish third overall in the EvA80 class. The class was won by Elizabeth Hoy (Frensham school), who finished on her dressage score of 40.8.
The feed company Coprice had sponsored the Interschool event and this year the classes ran up to CNC2* level although there was only one competitor, Jaymee Tinney, at that level. “I had a really silly run out on cross country,” said Jaymee who then added, “It’s pretty embarrassing.” In the Coprice CNC1* it was Teegan Ashby, representing Scots School Albury and riding Rockingham No Reason who took the honors leading from start to finish, adding nothing to her dressage score.
Bronwyn Doong and her clip board keeps everything under control
From the EvA105 class to the EvA60 each class was divided into senior, intermediate and sometimes junior level so each age group was catered for. A wide variety of schools took part with no one school dominating the leader board. That said the New England Girls School, Armidale managed to secure a win in the Eva95 Intermediate class thanks to Meagan Nolan riding Enya Double Take and also collected three other top ten placings in the EvA105. Manager of the NEGS team and well-known event rider, Andrew Haddad, was pleased with the way things were going. “I think they’re all doing pretty well so far so that’s good. It’s great to be here with so many enthusiastic riders and parents.”
Phillipa Macintyre was one of those enthusiastic parents, delighted to have her daughter Georgina and son Peter both competing. “Georgina has been doing Interstate for a few years but this is Peters first time. He goes to school at Kings, who have not had a representation here for a few years, but Peter and his school friend Sam Barton are both here this year. There is a bit of pressure on Georgina, as the girl in the family, to go well because her great aunt is Bridget Hyem – breeder of Kibah Tic Toc who Matt Ryan rode to Olympic glory and of course Bridget herself rode at the Tokyo Olympics. But whatever happens it great to be at a competition where the children work together as a team because generally equestrian sport is more of a individual sport.”
For Georgina Interschools is all about the excitement. “This competition is a lot bigger than the ones I usually go to which makes it good. It’s nice to wear the same uniform and all help each other out.” Georgina led the dressage riding Spud in the Coprice EvA80 Intermediate class but 20 penalties from cross country saw them drop down the order.
The eventing section of Interschools finished without any major dramas. At the end of the day there were muddy children and very muddy ponies everywhere but lots of happy faces and that’s what the Interschool competition is all about.
Photos: Wiping off the mud: Thea Horsley and Beckworth Talisman: Course Designer Daryll Burgess and his happy helper: Will Quirico and Kenny
