Bigger and Better
The Wagga Horse Trials 2013 event returned to a two day format this year with great success. This allowed for an extra division in the EvA80 class and capacity to increase our entries. With fifteen new fences a lot of local competitors as well riders from all over NSW turned out to participate and there were also good contingents from Canberra and Victoria.
“We have had a couple of years with a one day format running up to One Star which proved really popular, but we are keen to build the event back up now with the promise of new facilities available from next year and I think we are on track to do that after this year’s event” said Vice President Jacqui Price.
Some of the work that was carried out on the Wagga cross country course
There were over 150 horses competing throughout the weekend and most classes ran ahead of time throughout all three phases. Riders were appreciative when the dressage arenas and showjumping courses were shifted between classes to provide a better surface after the rain leading up to the event. Despite this rain, international cross country course designer, Craig Gordon, was very pleased with the course saying that it looked fantastic and that the going was great - a sentiment supported by many of the riders returning from their cross country rounds. It was really good to see local riders in the placings in all classes.
“Next year the plan is to incorporate the new facilities currently in development including sand dressage and showjumping arenas, covered day yards, horse wash and more camping.” explained Jacqui.
Blogger for An Eventful Life Kate McKenzie hadn’t ridden at Wagga for over nine years and said of the event:
“It was wonderful to be back at Wagga. The organisation of the event meant it was a fun, low fuss event and pleasant experience to be there! What committees can't control however is the weather and that really affected the way the event ran. The arenas were boggy and while the warm up area stood up well to the riding the arenas really copped a flogging, such that each arena was moved several metres at the end of each class. As I was the last rider in my class, I really struggled to get a rhythm going in my dressage, but I’m not sure what can be done about the surface - other than getting sand ones, given that it's either going to be too hard or too wet and almost never perfect!
A rider splashes through the Wagga water
The cross course looked good with new jumps added to the course and while the going was very boggy if you were careful it rode well. The Showjumping phase ran very smoothly too, and the time was tight on course, maybe because riders were careful with their turns.
The function on Saturday night was great to attend, such lovely food - wish there was a Thirsty Crow in Canberra!”
The development of the Riverina Region Equestrian Centre builds on the existing infrastructure at Charles Sturt University (CSU) and is a joint project between Wagga Wagga City Council, CSU and Riverina Equestrian Association which the Wagga Horse Trials club is affiliated with.
Due to the brilliant effort put into organising the event by a young committee the event ran like a dream and the presentation flush with plenty of goodies thanks to our fantastic and extremely generous sponsors wrapped up at around 2:30pm on Sunday allowing travelling competitors to get back on the road in good time for the journey home.
