You could not have had a bigger contrast in weather conditions between the scorching hot Hanson Tonimbuk International Horse Trials and the cold, wet SMZ & JB Tooradin Estate Pony Club Horse Trials, just one week apart and not far in distance between the two.
The heatwave hanging over this part of Victoria finally gave way on Sunday 16th March, the very day of the SMZ JB Tooradin Estate Horse Trials but competitors in the Pony Club and Open classes battled on through the conditions and still managed to have a good day (although no doubt mums had an awful lot of washing to do after this very wet event!).
On the same day in nearby Melbourne, the organisers of the Melbourne Formula One Grand Prix were forced to cancel some of the lead-up races as the rain lashed down and winds whipped up. But Tooradin pressed on, all classes ran, and our cameras kept rolling - unfortunately some with rain-soaked lenses!
Congratulations to everyone who took part, battling the conditions regardless and well done to the class winners, who were:
Open Grade 1: Ethan Height riding Superclass
Open Grade 2: Shenae Barnsley riding Valette Hill
Open Grade 3: Karina Hierne riding Leneva
Open Grade 4: Kathryn Polglase riding Cointreau
Open Grade 5: Kirstie Law riding Mystic Shadows Little Miss Gypsy
Pony Club Grade 2: Jasmine Walters riding Lord and Master
Pony Club Grade 3: Olivia Woodberry riding Golden Topaz
Pony Club Grade 4: Ivy Williams riding Cresswell Montana
Pony Club Grade 5: Georgia Mckinnon riding Valley View Shogun
An Eventful Life filmed all competitors on cross country at SMZ & JB & Tooradin Estate Horse Trials 2025. Order or view videos from this event here
