As strange as it may seem, I am reporting on the PCAV State Horse Trials… from NSW! Yes that is correct, the Victorian State Championships were held in Deniliquin this weekend, approximately one hour past the Victorian border. Whilst this left some people from other locations a little “befuddled”, or had them moaning about travel time, in reality it proved to be a reasonable travel time for members from the metropolitan zones comparative to some of the farther nether regions of our tiny state (and let's face it for crazy horse people like us, a road trip dragging two horses and a float over the border for the weekend is the closest thing we will ever get to any type of "holiday!").
Many families chose to travel up on the Friday during the day and, given the forewarning I had of kangaroos being very active on the road through from Echuca in the evenings, we also adjusted plans with a view to arriving in the daylight hours if possible. In fact these horse lovers had commitments at Interschool Showjumping last Friday, so we had everything packed by 6am that morning to head off to ISJ, then we began our journey directly from Ayr Hill! (Did I mention crazy horse people yet?!)
We did manage to make our arrival in the last light of day and were greeted by clouds and clouds of dust! Viewed from eyes that are accustomed to the green hills of the Dandenongs it was a shock to say the least and the camp ground (from here on in to be referred to as "dust city") was a hub of campfire and generator activity. Needless to say the fun and happy camp environment, although very welcoming, was not enough to stop me feeling that grime and dirt was quickly becoming entrenched in all the wrong places.
Dust city!
Saturday morning saw all sections of the dressage get underway by 9am. Over 100 Grade 1 and 2 riders were competing this year, and all of them have been required to complete qualifying events to be eligible. All of the volunteers, including the marshals, office staff and gear checkers, were very friendly and did remind me of why I continue to persevere with these events! The lovely country vibe seems to follow these State Champs around; this is our third State Champs and each one has had this feel
These annual championships are hosted by each zone in turn over a 10 year period, so when it was the turn of the Northern Zone in 2013, all clubs who were interested in hosting were offered the opportunity to submit expressions of interest. Rosemary Oram, Zone Rep for NMZ, explained that Deniliquin was the location of choice and that the infrastructure provided in the township was a factor in this decision. The Northern Zone is a huge one to say the least, extending from Mildura through to Cobram, then stretching from Tatura all the way up to Hay, and it in fact has 6 clubs in NSW and 2 on the border. Whilst Rosemary outlined that the state champs are run by a zone committee, she was very careful to point out that a lot of the burden falls on to the hosting club also, and to that end Deniliquin Pony Club has done a terrific job.
Emma Scott competed at many Pony Club Championships in her early days and made a guest appearance at Deniliquin
Belinda McCallum is one such member of the Deniliquin Pony Club, and as well as providing me with much appreciated detailed instructions on how to reach the grounds, she was also happy to fill me in on some of the club details. Belinda herself attended Deniliquin pony club, and after time away is now back in the area, and back in the pony club as a mum! Belinda tells me that this is the case for quite a number of members, which says a lot for the loyalty and longevity many show to these clubs. The club has around 50 riding members, with the majority being very young (most are under 12 years old).
One of the valuable initiatives provided at these events is the guided course walk. When we arrived we were greeted by a lovely wooden cross country jump, which was the first jump of the cross country course and boasts very loudly of exactly where we are.
This jump and in fact the whole course, was designed by Trevor Feltdmann, who hosted the cross country walk for Grade 2 riders (as a matter of interest Rosemary tells me that Trevor was also the course designer the last time the Northern Zone were hosts, 10 years ago in Tocumwal!... another of those longstanding volunteers the PCAV seem to make their speciality!)
The festivities on Saturday night included fun awards, such as the “neat camp” award, the Rider award for being polite and assisting the marshals and volunteers (that went to Rider No 96 – Sam Jeffree!), a talk from the TD and a guest appearance from Emma Scott, fresh from her Trans Tasman competition last week and herself a past member of the Northern Zone.
The Clydies were kicking up the dust too!
Sunday morning provided a very chilly early start for jumping day. The Grade 2 course was scheduled to start at 8am but caused some last minute head-aches and dilemmas for the OC at the water jump - due to direct low sunlight and glare off the water (not to mention kangaroos on course!). The water jump did in fact prove to be hugely influential for many riders.
Matthew Benson (riding Henry Handsome Pants, Pakenham Pony Club - photos above) was one rider who was very happy with his clear cross country round
Nicole Cahill also showed how it should be done at the water
Happily for the OC the rest of the cross country jumping, and the showjumping, finished smoothly, well done Deniliquin!
I am sure Central Zone are onto it already and have begun planning for the 2014 State Champs, they certainly have a lot to live up to!
As for us, I can't say I am looking forward to next year’s championships just yet (I will leave that for tomorrow!). For now I am just looking forward to a hot shower and a flushing toilet... oh and of course my usual Sunday night routine of scrubbing white breeches... Crazy!
Article and photos by Wendy Jeffree
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