The galloping policeman

 

Tim Ellis (above) was one of the 18 WA riders who made the long trek across the Nullabor to compete at the recent Melbourne 3 Day Event. It’s always nice to come across a rider who is competing at 3* level and admits to simply enjoying his eventing as his hobby and Tim is one such rider.

 

Having been in the police force for the past 25 years Tim, a Senior Constable with the Rockingham Police, has always been involved with horses and like many youngsters came through Pony Club and never really stopped. These days eventing is a family affair and not only did Tim compete at Melbourne, but his partner Tracey and son Luke were also there riding in the CCI*. Together the family run Ellison Park Eventing Stables although Tim admitted that Luke doesn’t get too much time to ride these days. “Luke is at university so he’s kept pretty busy, but it’s really good we can all be here riding at Melbourne.”

 

Click on the icon to hear Tim after he had ridden his dressage test on Ellison Park Benson.

 

 

   Benson puts in a huge leap over the ditch

The following day this unassuming policeman was happy with his clear cross country round. “Yes, he went pretty well out there. I couldn’t really complain so we’ll just see what tomorrow brings.”

   Tim and Benson suffered a few anxious moments at the trot up

There were a few stressful moments the following morning when Tim was asked to trot up Benson a second time at the trot up, whereupon the ground jury passed him and the pair continued onto show jumping. In the afternoon two rails down and some time penalties saw Tim finish in 16th place and more importantly get his qualifier for Adelaide CCI4* later this year.

   Tim on his way to finishing 16th in the CCI3*

Meanwhile Tracey and Luke both completed the CCI* finishing 30th and 40th respectively - what a great family effort.

We look forward to following Tim on his journey to Adelaide where he hopes to be riding at his first four star event.