Just look at the size of those pumpkins
Event riders in New South Wales will see the running of a new ‘official’ eventing this weekend as the Warrumbungle Eventing Committee look forward to running their inaugural event.
The cross-country course is in a bush setting on the edge of Coonabarabran with the distinct outline of the Warrumbungle Mountains as a backdrop. Significant redevelopment of the course over the past five years through funds raised from the North West Equestrian Expo has seen 20 new jumps built under the direction of Darryl Burgess.
Give me eventing in the gum trees
President of Warrumbungle Eventing, Richard Blackman, commented, "We have run a number of successful interschool and pony club events over the past five years on the new course but this is the first time all ages have been able to compete. We recognised that many adults who school on our course at clinics throughout the year wanted to have the opportunity to ride in competition and a group of us formed the Warrumbungle Eventing Club."
We have had 112 entries in classes from 1* down to encouragers. Some of the bigger names include Heath Ryan and Sharmayne Spencer and if you want to add more ‘names’ we also have Phillip Dutton’s niece, Courtney, competing. As with many events, the introductory class, which as been split into a junior and open division, has attracted the largest numbers.
An event like this has brought the sport of eventing to riders who probably would not normally travel too far from home to compete but are going to have their first go at the three phases. Local Coonabaabran Pony Club senior instructor, Ben Deshon, is one rider who has seen his own children compete at pony club and interschool events and thought he would have a go himself. We wish him well as he competes in the newcomers class … he may well have a great deal more respect for his daughters by Sunday lunchtime.
More vegetables provide the dressing
For Heath it will be a bit of a homecoming as his parents, brother and family live in Coonabarabran, so hopefully the event will provide him with a real family affair.
John Lechner will be our roving reporter providing us with reports and photos along with the odd ‘tweet’ or two!
Article and photos provided by: Rebecca Moxham and Shaen Blackman
