Eventing Officials' Education a Success in Tasmania

The fourth of the new standard Equestrian Australia Eventing Officials' Seminars of the year has recently been delivered. It ran in Tasmania, at the Powranna One Day Event, about 20 minutes drive from Launceston CBD.

Running over two days, at an event and to a common agenda, these seminars form an important part of the new education and development pathways for Eventing Officials.

Course leaders Wayne Copping (South Australia) and Michelle Debenham (Victoria) volunteered to travel to the event to educate the 17 new and experienced officials about the sport, with a focus on risk management.

The program has a focus on Cross Country and developing an understanding of assessing courses in the preparation stages to reduce risk. This includes the correct and appropriate use of frangible devices and the function and use of spirals and/or other means of fixing portable fences, so they are less likely to move if hit by a horse.

Attendees had the opportunity to walk the courses with designer Wayne Copping and discuss scenarios that may arise on cross country, as well as looking at individual fences, combinations and design and structure. They were able to further develop their understanding by watching the courses ride the next day and discuss ideas and thoughts on what influenced the results.

Thanks must go to the organizing committee at the Powranna Horse Trials for allowing us to attend their event and a big thank you to Jamie Buckby and Ian Coulson for organising and accommodating the officials.

The next Equestrian Australia Eventing Officials Seminar is scheduled to be held at Sydney Horse Trials February 22^nd and 23^rd 2020.

To register please contact Vicki Burgess at ENSW.