Nat Davies and Chatswood Captivate Photo: bridgeyc photography
The Friends of Ballarat Horse Trials took off with a bang this year by having to close the entries ten days earlier than we had initially planned. With a record number of 310 riders from Intro to CNC 2* we had waiting lists in every level. For the event secretaries this year (Viv and Georgia Stephens) this meant they definitely had their hands full with requests and multiple rides for the draw. Our committee knew it was going to be jam packed, full of action, fun and cold weather weekend!
I was grooming for Nat Davies this weekend as she had four rides; three in the CNC 1* and one in the PreNovice . To help the committee out I also went out on the Friday to flag the cross country course and who do I find still building it; Ewan Kellett, Bryan Copland and Mick Pineo the legends who help my mum (Judy Croagh) build the very challenging, but inviting course.
Saturday ran very smoothly for everyone – all the dressage plus Intro and Prelim show jumping was completed and finished just in time before it got dark. Sunday and cross country day! It was a warm seven degrees with a southerly wind and around this time I thought to myself, isn’t it time to find a hobby indoors?
The CNC 1* was first to go, so I warmed up pretty quickly with Nat having three horses and they were all so good. The day ran extremely well, the biggest accident we had was a bloody nose, that was about as extreme as it got!
The support we had from the South Australian riders was great with Cooper Oborn taking out the CNC 2* that he led from start to finish.
We had two awards given out this year – the first was a Junior CNC 1* special prize this year which was won by Tamara Campain on Rockingham. This prize included a ‘Trot Up’ lesson with Sydney 2000 Olympian Amanda Ross to prepare her for the Melbourne 3 Day Event. The second prize was for the highest placed mare; this year it was won by Melissa Wilson on CP Platinum. This prize included a free service to the stallion Icarus Frosty.
Yona Lloyd and Icarus Frosty Photo: bridgeyc photography
It is great to have the continued support from the Icarus Park Stud; it is supporters like this that take out event to a new level.
I would like to thank the Friends of Ballarat Committee for running such a good event, even in the freezing cold, wind and occasional rain, the sponsors, the volunteers and all the riders and especially my friends who support the Ballarat event.
Looking forward to seeing you all next year as we will have a new 3* course! So remember to enter early and bring warm clothes! For full results from the weekend CLICK HERE
If you're cold you can always buy something warm at some of the tradestands!
Article and photos by Bridget Croagh
