New multi-discipline event gets off to a glamorous start
NSW has a glamorous new multi-discipline event on the calendar with a brand new venue to match.
The inaugural Equestrian in the Vines Showcase at a new purpose-built facility within the Rydges Resort at Lovedale in the Hunter Valley featured dressage, showjumping and showhorse classes across its three-day program.
The event, run under the banner of Horsesport Australia, combined the already-established Hunter Region Showjumping Championships as well as introducing a new dressage competition run by the new Wine Country Dressage Club and show program managed by the Thoroughbred Club Australia.
President of the Hunter Valley Showjumping Club Sue Middleton said joining forces with other disciplines to create the showcase, which could grow in coming years, seemed sensible.
“It made sense to move an already established and well-attended jumping event to the new facility as well as adding dressage and show horse classes,” she said.
“There are many more disciplines within equestrian sports but we couldn’t fit everything at our first event. We feel the end result was something special and made good use of the facility that is still under construction.”
Being a brand new arena, the organising committee elected to not run bigger showjumping classes until they were sure the footing was perfectly settled.
Heights ranged ranged from one metre to the 1.20 grand prix won by Sarah Crossen on Verdelho RJ3. The event also hosted the Jumping NSW Amateur of the Year class Series won by Kylie Howard’s Bernards Symphony.
The dressage program was also limited to preparatory, preliminary and novice levels.
Winners were Kyle Chapman in two tests riding Chapplehurst Mozique and Let’s Jazz It Up, Annika Ash and Don Darci, Courtney Byfield and Ziggy Star Dust, Tanya Bartlett and Fox in Socks, Annabel Galea and Woodside Anakin, Eliza Simpson and Kokoda's Lethal Weapon, Karen Higgins and Saint Ambrose and Sasha Laimanovski and Semper Veritas.
Riders with intellectual disabilities were catered for, with the Star Club Equestrian Program also coming under Horsesport Australia membership and its members featuring in the placings.
In the show horse classes, a fashions on the field section was added, contributing the “glamour” to the event.
There were 30 entries across 168 classes, with Steph O’Connor finishing the day with two supreme champion awards for horse of the show and fashions on the field handler.
She also took out two specialty awards: champion amateur rider horse and champion fashions on the field Thoroughbred handler.
"What an amazing day," she said. "I had the best time."
GALLERY
(Click any image to expand)
ABOVE:
1. Natalie Miller and Just Duke
2. Kate Reynolds and Cardwell Park Houdini
3. Courtney Larard and Set in Diamonds
4. Kyle Chapman and Chapplehurst Mozique
5. Kate Ramm and Checkers
6. Abbey Flinn and Ashwood S Pachelbel
All images JODY MILLWARD
Download dressage results
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