Now that's what you call a view!
Set on 100 acres of beautiful countryside and sitting on top of the escarpment that overlooks Kangaroo Valley lies Wallaby Hill Farm. Before the property was bought in 2003 by Alex Townsend and her husband Derek Pascoe it was a once a potato farm, then a cattle farm but these days it would hardly be recognisable by those who knew it in its former life.
Early days - December 2004
Wallaby Hill is set in amongst some stunning countryside and bordered by two national parks, which include the picturesque Belmore Falls. For those of you who have visited Wallaby Hill (the event) and never ventured beyond the property you really should take a five minute drive further down the road and take in the view at Belmore Falls. One word of advice – either take a car or four wheel drive because it could get a little ‘tight’ taking the truck! I’ve seen it done but it’s not for the faint hearted!
Getting back to Wallaby Hill itself I can remember the first time went to visit this new ‘Equestrian Centre’ and, had it not been for the gum trees, I would have thought I’d just arrived at a very swish yard in England. These days the property is looking very established, although that doesn’t stop Alex and her team from considering what the next move forward to be so that the property can offer as much as possible to its clients.
From this
To this – in a few years
Apart from the one day events that are run at Wallaby Hill this amazing venue also offers great opportunities for schooling whatever your requirements. You can hire the 70 x 35m indoor arena and ride on the Capricorn Soiltex surface while your friends watch you from the viewing gallery – complete with bar!
Or, if you prefer staying outdoors, there is the 60 x 40m all weather Re-bound arena again with heated viewing shelter and, knowing the chilly weather that the Robertson area can experience, heating was not just a good idea but a necessary one.
For those who want to practice some show jumping on a grass surface you can make use of the show jumping arena and then there is the cross country course, designed to it’s current level by Ewan Kellett. All levels have been catered for so whether you are just starting out in the eventing world or want some cross country practice for your experienced horse Wallaby Hill is the place to visit. Clinics for all three eventing disciplines are run during the year so there is ample opportunity to improve your skills. Riders are able to bring their own instructors to come and train at Wallaby Hill all year round.
One of the best things about WHF is that it has been designed in a practical, workable way. Everything is very smart and beautifully built, but it hasn’t just been built to look good – it’s been built to work well and it does!
Check out the beautiful Wallaby Hill Farm below
The team at Wallaby Hill are always very welcoming and you get the feeling that they enjoy working there – and why wouldn’t you!
Alex and Derek in Botswana with the elephants
Alex Townsend, who moved over to Australia from England, is the main mover and shaker behind everything that goes on at Wallaby Hill. She comes up with ideas and is determined to turn those ideas into reality. The idea of running an event at WHF was not without its problems and many hours were spent arguing their case with the local council. Derek Pascoe, Alex’s husband of 10 years is a huge support to everything (well probably most things) that Alex takes on and he played a large role in the discussions with council that brought the idea of running a one day event to reality.
Alex and Bendigo at Brightling, UK
Recently Alex made the decision to head back to UK to compete in a few events with her own mare Parodie along with Bendigo and Mumbo Jumbo, bought for her by her parents, but she went leaving the horse side of things in the capable hands of Jack Hayden.
Jack has been Yard Manager and rider at WHF for the past couple of years moving up to the Southern Highlands from his home in Albury. As well as riding his own horses Jack has also been given the ride on some of the WHF horses including Jaybee Calypso who was previously ridden by Chris Burton in UK and WHF Vanquish a 5 year old Vivant/Visage gelding bred at Wallaby HIll who is currently placing at Pre-Novice.
Pictured above is the mare is Vamoose, currently ridden by Derek (she was the first foal born at WHF and is by Copabella Visage) and her foal is WHF Vanquish (by Vivant) who is now rising five and ridden by Jack Hayden
Hailing from Manchester, UK, Sophie Evens is the competition groom at WHF and at the moment is back in UK helping Alex at the European events.
Alex’s parents - Carolyn and Anthony Townsend with Bendigo (and the polos)
Upcoming events
Next month will see the running of the Wallaby Hill One Day Event (12/13 Oct) which will also incorporate theNSW qualifier of the Exhibition Eventing, the final of which will be held at Equitana (Sydney) in November. Combining the two events will give riders and spectators alike the chance to enjoy more than just the usual one day event and it should be a great success.
Classes for the ODE will run from EvA80 through to CNC2* with the higher levels performing their dressage tests in the indoor arena with the dressage for the Exhibition Eventing taking place early Saturday evening.
The show jumping and cross country phase of the Exhibition Eventing will take place in the water jump paddock in front of the VIP tent and if you really want to enjoy the event in style all you have to do is purchase a VIP ticket. Your ticket allows you to enjoy a delicious lunch menu including house smoked Ocean Trout with Horseradish and Celeriac Remoulade and Malaysian Chicken Curry with Roti Chanai, which can all be washed down with St Maur wine.
In November Wallaby Hill will welcome back Australian event rider Chris Burton for a two day cross country clinic and Australian dressage rider Hayley Beresford for a six day dressage clinic, details of both clinics can be found on the Wallaby Hill website.
For more information on the upcoming events and clinics along with the other facilities available at Wallaby Hill CLICK HERE
