Flying High in Gundagai
Nothing can keep a good man down; Jim Scobie and his incredible support team presented the most stunning visual feast for riders and spectators at the 2019 Gundagai horse trials.
A massive effort and a giant leap of faith following last year's inaugural event has ensured the event is here to stay.
Support for this emerging regional event was demonstrated by the 280 riders and horses lining up to compete and a fantastic response from returning and new local sponsors. Some really special guests came to watch this family-friendly event.
The Gundagai mayor, Abb McAlister, showing his support and interest alongside the CEO of EA, Lucy Warhurst, and Equestrian NSW president, Peter Dingwall. They enjoyed watching an amazing band of volunteers and officials deliver a superb event, for a very enthusiastic bunch of competitors and their support crews.
Their presence was really appreciated, it is possibly a first for a regional event, the eventing community is encouraged by their interest.
Congratulations to the winners and place getters across the levels, nothing was given away. Saturday was blessed with fine autumn weather, however the icy blast that followed from an overnight frontal rain saw beanies, rugs and thermoses appear, and studs being firmly screwed into place for Sundays action-packed day.
The Murrumbridgee Lucerne 2* overnight leader, Jessica Grossman, held her overnight position. She added only 1.2 XC time penalties to her superb dressage test score of 23.50, riding the beautiful Wendela Petaluma.
The Boehringer Ingelheim 1* took some skilled XC riding to get home under time. It was won by Hayley Robl, riding Lucky Decision, finishing on their dressage score of 26.4 . The EvA95 Crawford Glass and Aluminium was taken out, after a count back, by Kimberly King and her seasoned horse Allegretto, from Emma Creet and BHM Black Galaxy - both finishing on 30.5.
The same score of 30.5 penalties saw Maya Basson, riding Monte Argo, take out the Junior Agstock EvA95 class.
The lower three levels were very well subscribed. The Truck Tradies EvA80 class had two divisions and a junior section.
Division A was taken out by Courtney Stubberfield and Cisco. Division B was categorically won by the amazing Jim Walsh and BHS Summer Rain, who finished on an amazing dressage score of 21.70.
The XC for this level was a good workout for combinations. Following a rather spectacular train carriage as fence 4, fences 5A and 5B were very influential, but they didn’t worry the in-form junior Anna Stott Despoja, riding Moonbah Ridge Truffle. The duo stormed around the course, taking the title in the Junior Crawford Glass and Aluminium EvA80 class.
Gundagai Horse Trials is a hit; great committee, challenging courses, glorious setting, magnificent grounds and super-fun atmosphere
The Gundagai Vet Clinic Division A EvA60 class was hotly contested, and despite adding a rail in the show jumping, was won by Elizabeth Dawes and Donald. Division B was taken out by Kim Slocum and Wally Munchin. They climbed from 3rd place to clinch the win, after going clear in both show jumping and XC, finishing on their dressage score of 28.80.
The Junior Murrumbidgee Lucerne class was won by Sophie Tapp and Aspenview Amber Lilly, finishing on a cracking dressage score of 24.1.
The most amazing stuff was happening in the 45cm classes. So much cheering, camaraderie and support for those just starting out. Youngsters from the Pether and Mackenzie families had their first starts and newby OTTBs were being introduced to the sport by their loving owners. Special show jumping and XC courses were dedicated to this level and finished before the main classes got underway.
The Boehringer Ingelheim Junior class was won by Olivia Waugh, riding her lovely Karrugang Sydney.
The senior class overnight leader, event doctor Kathy Blay, riding the ever young 21-year-old legend, Xylophone, lost her top spot after XC by 0.3 penalties, to the amazing event vet Claire Cupitt. Claire zoomed around the XC on her wonderful Echo, and was the only rider in the Agstock 45cm class to make the XC time. She moved up from 9th place to take the class win.
Both Claire and Kathy put on their Officials caps, being the doctor and vet respectively on-call for the event. They are gloriously multitalented ladies, the event being so lucky to have them.
Congratulations to the event committee and the generous volunteers that ensured the event ran smoothly, surviving a rather brisk weather change from autumn to winter in 24 hours!
Gundagai Horse Trials is a hit; great committee, challenging courses, glorious setting, magnificent grounds and super-fun atmosphere. There will even be an indoor arena by the time the next event is held and a promise of more beautiful hand carved jumps by Timba Tumba Carvings. Well done Jim.
Full results can be found HERE
Report by Fiona Gruen www.wallarooequestrian.com.au
Newsletter
