The blue sky didn't last for long
A deluge of rain on the Saturday of the Ranvet NSW Pony Club One Day Event Championships turned the competition into what was essentially a combined training event after organisers were forced to cancel the cross country phase due to the wet ground.
“We started the cross country phase for the A Grade riders but when we were hit by a storm with thunder and lightening overhead we had no option but to cancel. The ground was very slippery and the safety of the riders and their horses was our main priority,” said event organizer Bradley Hayden. “The sad thing is that the sun will probably come out tomorrow,” he added.
Some riders managed to do their dressage before the rain started
Bradley was right the sun did come out on Sunday but by that stage it was too late. Riders, who had spent a very cold and wet Saturday night at the Albury Wodonga Equestrian Centre, jumped a shortened show jumping round on the sand arena before heading home to begin the mountain of wet gear and clothes that are probably still drying yet.
Antionette Inglis and Stirling
I’m amazed that everyone stayed on for the Sunday when getting back to a warm dry bed on Saturday night must have seemed far more appealing, but maybe it was something to do with a certain ‘Shane Rose’ coming to dinner …
“Shane’s talk on Saturday night was by far the highlight of the weekend for us,” said one mum Sally Quirico, whose two eldest boys, Ben and Will were competing. “He told us about his Pony Club days and how he got banned from travelling with the girls on the way to State Camp and had to travel up the front with the team coach! The children thought all his tales were great. He also managed to put across come encouraging points for the boys who ride who are often teased for donning jodhpurs when their friends are wearing the ‘coolest jeans’. Shane said when he turned 15 he realised he was in the ‘right sport’ because he was one of the few boys riding in amongst a sea of girls in jodhpurs!”
Ben Quirico and tommy
Isabella Lalak and Banjo
Shane also told his enthusiastic audience about the dedication needed to succeed and that success itself wasn’t all about having the most expensive horse, the best gear and the most lessons it was more about spending hours in the saddle – just riding.
“As a child Shane was would use his pony as a mode of transport. He would ride over to a friend’s house, tie the pony up, go and play and then ride home later. He spent a lot of simply riding,” said Shane’s mother Penny.
“After Shane finished his talk he answered questions from children and their parents for a good hour,” said Sally. “He really did help to turn a bad weekend into a good one and he stayed on Sunday to watch the show jumping, which the children were very happy about.”
Gemma Tinney and King
Will Quirico and Kenny
For results from the weekend click here
Photos thanks to: Alison Lalak, Karen Tinney and Sally Quirico
