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Snowy Mountains Showjumping Festival Kicks Off 2013 in Style!

Published on Wednesday, January 9, 2013 in Sponsored Shows

Stephen Dingwall and Cavalier Cudos

 

Winner of Stars of the Future, David Cameron riding RR Triple X (owned by the Martin family), being presented with his sash by sponsor, Rhi Ellis, of 2020 Financial Solutions.

 

Becky Jenkins of Marburg QLD riding the cute Dots and Dashes

 

The sixth annual Snowy Mountains Showjumping Festival was held at Cooma Showground last week from the 1-5 January. Once again record numbers of families made the journey to Cooma, and over the four and a half days we witnessed 3600 rounds of showjumping, with 350 riders and some 550 horses jumping everything from cross rails through to 1.40m tracks. Although the weather was not as kind as in previous years, we did all survive the heat and some even got out the woollen rugs when temperatures dropped crazily overnight.

Three rings of competition were in operation on each day and our special thanks to course designers Leeson Sirett, Ian Hamilton and Greg Ring and judges Michael Archer, Bridget Cross and Greg Grant who all worked tirelessly to ensure everyone had the chance to compete in their events.  The grounds looked great and Cooma Showground is fortunate to offer beautiful trees which provided shade for most of the day.  The office staff were kept busy each day and our pole pickers, marshals and pencillors all gave very generously for long hours each day.  Members of the local Monaro Equestrian Association which supports the event, were out in force making sure all our visitors were well catered for.  Businesses in Cooma were buzzing, with discount offers of all kinds, helping to make the visitors’ stay more enjoyable.

The jumping in the main ring was fantastic and this year, for the third consecutive time, Tom McDermott riding Statford Delight took out the Grand Prix in a hard fought contest from Hilary Scott and Oaks Miss Scarlett second and young James Hetherington on the ever improving PP Masterclass third. The Grand Prix was sponsored by Cosmorex Coffee who were major sponsors for the event this year.  Tom also received a brand new Hawkesbury River Saddle for his ride. The course was very technical, with Leeson ensuring that both horse and rider had to work very hard to complete his tracks.  We had a great crowd to watch the afternoons entertainment on Saturday which included the Grand Prix, the Mini Prix, won by Andrew Lamb riding CP Argento, a fun Novelty event which was won by our course designer Ian Hamilton riding a borrowed horse., and finishing with the Snowy Mountains Speed Derby which was won this year by talented junior rider Courtney Shears riding Kilimakara.  This year our Saturday entertainment included market stalls in the morning and then some wonderful singing by local rising star Vendulka Wichta, and then some wonderful music from Canberra based group After Dark.

This year saw the staging of two great series, the Junior and the Amateur.  Run over three days both series attracted great numbers and neither pointscore was decided until the final round on the last day.  The junior series was sponsored by Peppercorn Lodge Farmstay and the Priestley family and was won by young Stephanie Mackillop riding the wonder pony Alcheringa Tradition, from Jessica Tripp and Lovegrove and Jamie Priestley riding KS Optimus in third place.  The Amateur Series was sponsored by the Hawkesbury River Saddle Company, with the winner being given a brand new saddle.  Again, as riders entered the final phase, there were several in contention for this major prize.  In a nail biting finish the winner was Jack Hayden riding Falcon Dusky Bear from Rachel Vella on Spice Thyme and Sarah Dreverman on the ever reliable Emmaville Mosaic.

Another new and very popular idea was the riders draw.  Every rider entered in the event had the chance to win a brand new saddle sponsored by the Hawkesbury River Saddle Company.  Twelve names were drawn from the hat with riders being required to be present at the draw.  Major sponsor Heath Harris drew the winning name and it  was young Jessica Mackay who had travelled from Brisbane with her family to attend the event for the first time.  Young Jessica is now the proud owner of her first brand new saddle – what a lucky girl!

Overall it was a wonderful week with great showjumping, some amazing individual achievements, and new friendships borne.  Watching our young riders and the joy they get in competing their first cross rails track, to those who have now progressed to the 90cm, to the older riders who are still performing at the top but being challenged by the many talented younger, once students, now teachers in their own rights.  The Snowy Mountains showjumping Festival is over for 2013 but we are already planning with new ideas for 2014.  Thank you to everyone who helped to make this a memorable event once again.

Horsezone was proud to be a sponsor of this prestigious event.

SEE PDFs BELOW FOR FULL RESULTS

Story & Photos: Tim Dreverman/Horsezone

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