Riders show backbone in tough conditions at Woady Yallock
IN 1785, Robert Burns wrote “the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry”.
The extremely competent organisers of the popular Woady Yaloak Horse Trials would have to agree.
They had done every possible thing to make the last event before the Melbourne International Trials a success, but the weather gods had other ideas.
Some truly awful conditions were experienced across the day but horse trials riders are a hardy lot and although most of the three-star riders decided to just do dressage and showjumping, there was great competition in all other sections over Mick Pineo and Will Foulkes’ impressive courses.
Wendy Schaeffer-Macdonald and Sun Quest were the only finishers in the three-star.
Avril Charman and Annabella rose from seventh after dressage to win the two- star S open class and Fleur Timmins’ De Lago Warrior followed the trend to improve from fourth after dressage to win the off-the-track division ahead of Jarryd Stanley and Spring Into Action in second place.
The lower classes were all well filled with wins going to Emma Hercules’ promising Ballahowe Wildside and Maddy Kitto’s My Friend Jack in the one-star classes.
The EA 95cm section always carries a lot of interest.
Noah Goodwin on Cashless TAE and Kylah Brewer Princess Keikilani won their sections.
The People on Ponies 95cm section winner was Sophie Dillon on Epona DÁrtagnan.
Young horse sections are a particularly good idea and there were three classes at Woady, with the 95cm won by Ebony Toole’s Art Class, the 80cm going to Lucy Petersen and Beachgoer and the 65cm to Rachael Keeton riding Happy Feet Charlie.
In the EA 80, the People on Ponies winner was Macey Rams on Chloe, who actually beat the big horses in the open section, but the star turn in the event was the diminutive 12.2hh roan pony Carisma Park Rose, piloted by Georgia Joyce at just age 10.
With clear showjumping rounds and a good time on cross country they put in a superstar performance in difficult conditions to finish mid-field.
GALLERY
(Click any image to expand)
1. Alana Park and Bundylicious. Picture: FELICITY CLAY
2. Picture: LISA GREEN
3. Georgina Birrell and Terminal Velocity. Picture: LISA GREEN
4. Picture: LISA GREEN
5. Amitie Crowhurst and Ollie. Picture: LISA GREEN
6. Sophie Bennet and BP Bella Vista. Picture: LISA GREEN
7. Picture: LISA GREEN
8. Wendy Schaeffer-Macdonald and Sun Quest. Picture: LISA GREEN
9. Durani Hart and Vanaheim Ice and Fire. Picture: LISA GREEN
10. Jessica Forth and Chadstone. Picture: FELICITY CLAY
11. Stephanie Rowe and Bainbridge Black Velvet. Picture: LISA GREEN
12. Briar Morris and Balous High Roller. Picture: FELICITY CLAY
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