2012 Emu Creek Pony Club Showjumping Championships - Report & Photos

Carissa Bailey and the outstanding purebred Connemara pony, Monohan Harrison, won the 148cm and under pony rug also took out best performed pony of the show (Photos: Cheryl Heynemann)

Lizzie Kelly and Magic Min, winners of the 138cm and under pony rug

Polly Moloney and Janeda Park Self Portrait won the rug for  most successful pony 128cm and under

Three days of top showjumping impressed riders and spectators at the 2012 Emu Creek Pony Club Showjumping Championships, held 28-30 December 2012.

Held at the picturesque Pony Club grounds, on the dry lake bed in Terang, the peat surface provided unrivalled footing for the equine athletes with over 600 rounds of showjumping completed during the event.

There are very few venues in Victoria that can accommodate three full size Showjumping arenas, however the venue in Terang easily fitted not only the competition arenas but parking and camping space for competitors’ who travelled from all parts of Victoria and as far way as Adelaide. 

Excellent sponsorship provided not only great prizes and prizemoney for successful riders but also contributed towards the provision of new jumping equipment for the club.  With three Showjumping rings operating over the three days it was outstanding to see all rings with excellent equipment.

Local riders performed well in a number of events, none more local than Polly Moloney from Noorat riding Janeda Park Self Portrait winning the rug for the most successful pony 128cm and under. The Emu Creek event is the only one of its kind in Victoria whereby ponies are recognized for performances in height divisions and do not have to compete against full size horses.

The 138cm and under Pony Rug was awarded to Lizzy Kelly from Caramut riding the well performed pony Magic Min. This pony has had many wins at state and national level. Another pony competing that has an outstanding record was Monohan Harrisson rider by Carissa Bailey from Bacchus Marsh. This superstar Connemara showjumper was the winner of the 148cm and under rug and also took out the best-performed pony of the show.

Junior riders are also well catered for at Emu Creek with Championships offered at three levels. Champion Junior rider under 13 years was Lizzy Kelly, riding the gorgeous Clydesdale cross Jack the Rippa, Lizzy was also the best-performed junior of the show. Champion Junior rider under 16 years was Bree Lawandowski riding the aptly named appaloosa “Spot the Difference”. Champion rider under 19 years was Lochie Bailey riding the much admired stock horse “Shady Creek Nova”.

On the Sunday the top pony club riders from both Victoria and South Australia came out in force for the Pony Club graded Showjumping Championships.  To win one of the converted woolen Championship rugs riders had to compete in three classes, an equitaion class, a AM7 event, and then a two round championship which finished up at the maximum allowable height for each grade. Jumping the 125 courses to win the A grade rug was a fabulous effort from Belinda Grieg on Top Card from Emu Creek Pony Club. Also from Emu Creek was the winner of the B grade Championship, Will Greig riding Devils Tango. Another Emu Creek rider won the C grade championship this was Jock Goold on the grey mare Connie. D grade champion was yet another Emu Creek rider, Will Allen riding the very talented Basil and in a clean sweep for Emu Creek the E grade champion was Polly Moloney on Janeda Park Self Portrait.

Special awards over the three days were given for the best-presented riders. These were awarded to Polly Moloney, Kate Crauford from Mount Gambier and Erika Grant from Darlington.

Tonimbuk course builder Paul Williams built great courses for the three days and was impressed with the standard of the event.   

Organisers of the event were pleased to see lots of new faces as well as many return competitors. Classes were held for open riders also and organisers were pleased to see how well patronised these classes were.

Horsezone was very proud to be a sponsor of this event, which featured more than $6000 in prize money.

Quick Links

• View all photos from the Emu Creek Pony Club Showjumping Championships
• Visit the Emu Creek Pony Club website
• View Pony Club horses for sale on Horsezone

Article: Wendy Kelly Photos: Cheryl Heynemann