Alex Townsend's Bendigo will be a lucky visitor's catch ride
While Kate Mackenzie might be worried about fitting back into her jodhpurs at the first event back after the Christmas break, my main concern will be running out of puff. There’s no doubt that reporting on events keeps you fit (well, fitter than I would otherwise be, not being a great one for moving unless I have to) and, after slowly pottering around our own place with just a little stroll each day to feed the horses, I am likely to be pushing my comfort zone this weekend at Wallaby Hill.
Luckily, this venue is so well laid out that nipping between the various areas is easier than at most events and, with the temperatures forecast to be in the mid to high 20’s, it looks as if we’re going to escape the rain that has been hovering over the eastern coast of Australia and enjoy some good weather.
There are certainly plenty of people across the levels coming out to play after their Christmas break. There are three divisions of EvA80 plus a Junior class sponsored by Princess Skincare and, as far as I can work out, young Oliver Barrett is the only boy in this class so I’m sure he’s hoping to win whatever products this wonderful sponsor has on offer. In the Division A, Teegan Ashby is bringing her two new imports from New Zealand – Rabbit and Nugget, two horses that I hope will keep their names (a little suggestion for any rider who wants to be written about is to either win all the time or have horses with names that are easy to spell and remember. Zoe Hutchinson’s Hallelujah Monty Carlo Gold, competing in one of the two divisions of the EvA95, is probably a fabulous horse but won’t be getting many mentions on our Twitter account for example)
The EvA80 and 95 classes complete their dressage and show jumping on Saturday while all other classes will have their show jumping and cross country on Sunday.
Wallaby Hill farm owner Alexandra Townsend will have Something to Talk About in the EvA105, which could provide a wonderful headline. Alex will be riding the six year old gelding that we last saw at the South of England ridden by Chris Burton where they had a third placing in the BE100. Alex, whose parents Carolyn and Anthony Townsend own the horse, did a few BE100 competitions when she was in the UK last year and now Something to Talk About has joined his mates in the lovely stables at Wallaby Hill.
Two other horses returned from the UK are Tim Boland’s Gorsehill Star in the CNC1* and GV Billy Elliott and Napoleon in the CNC2*. Tim is well known for being able to put on an impressive dressage display but Judy Clarke riding Diablito in the 1* is likely to give him a run for his money this weekend along with other experienced competitors such as Stuart Tinney and Christine Bates. Christine will have the O’Reilly boys, Ned (CNC1*) and Jimmy (CNC2*) and her 4* horse Adelaide Hill is also coming for a little outing in the CNC3* Combined Training. The winner of November’s CNC2*, Katie Roots on the rescued horse Trevalgar II is also taking part in the Combined Training and Laura Wallace, no stranger to the Southern Highlands of NSW but now visiting from the UK, has scored the ultimate catch ride on Alex’s horse Bendigo in this class.
We’re really looking forward to seeing what the latest developments are at Wallaby Hill Farm where there is always something being improved or extended. We will of course be videoing every competitor on the cross country course on Sunday and are looking forward to a few ice creams, some sunshine, some fabulous company and fun at one of the best venues in Australia
