Chelsea Priestley and Ashleigh Longtime Photo: Scenic Park Equine Services
In typical Victorian weather, Colac experienced a bit of all four seasons on day two of the annual Horse Trials. The rain held off until the end of the 1* cross country, leaving the Pre-Novice riders to battle it out in the wet. Despite the dampening, the event was extremely well organized and the brilliant cross country provided some fantastic viewing. For the first time in Victoria, the event used live scoring through Nominate. Results could be accessed quickly and easily online, by anyone from anywhere on the Internet. This ensured that scores were processed quickly and efficiently after the commencement of all classes.
Simon Tainsh and Just De Manzana Photo: Scenic Park Equine Services
Chelsea Priestley and Ashleigh Longtime took out the top class, leading from start to finish. Their beautifully relaxed show jumping round was one of just a few clears in the CNC1*. Just 1.6 time penalties on cross country saw the pair win against some seriously tough competitors. Simon Tainsh rode a lovely show jumping round, keeping the enthusiastic Just De Manzana under control and leaving the combination on their dressage score. A quick ride around cross country, meant no time faults and left them just one penalty behind Chelsea to take out second place.
Will Enzinger and Pop the Question Photo: Emily Penney
Will Enzinger was rarely seen on the ground as he jumped between five horses in classes from Introductory through to the CNC 1*. With his wife Emily Anker due to have a baby in February, Will took on her horses this weekend for a last run before they go out for a holiday. They will come back in to work next year after the couple’s baby is born. Will took out the Pre-Novice on Pop the Question and the Preliminary A class on Cooper. Both horses jumped double clears and finished on their dressage scores. An unlucky rail in the show jumping dropped Bvlgari back to third place in the 1* and the pair stayed in this position after adding just a few time penalties on cross country. With eight horses of his own currently in work and competing, Will certainly has his hands full. The team will be heading to Tooradin next weekend and will be taking last week’s Goulburn Horse Trials CIC2* winner Flowervale Maserati to Adelaide in November. A full truck will make its way down to Lakes and Craters 3DE in December, with two horses set to compete in the 3*.
Lucinda James and Platinum Cruise Photo: Emily Penney
The Preliminary B class was won by Sharon Ridgway on Collage. A clear round in the show jumping and cross country saw the combination finish on their dressage score of 51.60. Lucinda James and Platinum Cruise led from start to finish in the Introductory A class, finishing on a great score of 36.60. In the Introductory B Janelle Miller and Eskimo Joe won with a score of 42.40 after picking up four penalties on cross country.
Rebecca Barling and Boosty Photo: Scenic Park Equine Services
Rebecca Barling and Boosty rose from fourth place after the dressage, securing the win in the Pony Club grade 1 after a clear cross country and just one rail in the show jumping.
Caitlin Barrett and Chatswood Tango (above) took out the grade 2 with one rail and a super clear cross country round. The grade 3 was won by Stephanie Thornton and Foreal (below) who jumped two clear rounds and finished on a fantastic penalty score of 19.29.
Photo: Scenic Park Equine Services
The dreaded ditch and brush caused problems for many riders on cross country as did the steps for many Pre-Novice combinations. But it was the brand new water jump that left a few riders wet or walking home at the end of the course. The new jump cost $10,000 and took at least 140 volunteer hours. Excavation on the jump began in July and the project was completed on the 13th of October. Advice was take from Ewan Kellet and was put together by the Colac Horse Trials cross country course designer Judy Slater. The new feature was certainly worth the time and money, providing a challenge for riders and some great viewing for spectators.
This weekend also saw a return of the lovely 2* chestnut mare Sovereign Rose (above). The 17yo veteran has not competed since 2010 when she was ridden by Samantha Whiting. Samantha has handed the reins back to her mother Wendy Whiting after an injury and children have seen her to take a step back from competition. Wendy originally rode the mare for 18 months when the pair purchased her six and half years ago because she was so difficult. Rose returned to the arena this weekend in the Pre-Novice, jumping clear cross country and dropping one rail in a very enthusiastic show jumping round. The pair finished 6th overall and plan to compete at Melbourne 3DE in the 1* class next year.
For full results CLICK HERE
Jacqui Bladier and Tichino Fiorucci Photo: Scenic Park Equine Services
Nat Davies and El Grado Photo: Emily Penney
Article by Emily Penney
