On this weekend, whilst sports ranging from soccer to dressage were cancelled across the Southeast Queensland Coast, the team at Fig Tree Pocket was determined to offer a fun and friendly competition. Thanks for that, because it turned out to be a great weekend. 

 

While it was only a month and a half since the last event at this venue, a great deal of work has been undertaken across the grounds. The long centre row of elderly yards have been bulldozed and more of the fabulous new yards have been built. It is all a work in progress, but you’ve got to break some eggs to make a cake and hopefully by the October ODE this upgrade in the horse accommodation will be complete.

 

The cross country course has several new obstacles including an Arrowhead and Ditch complex in the back paddock, reconfiguration of the Hockey Sticks and a new Triple Bar jump on the plateau near Lake Eyre.

 

Damp clouds blanketed the skies for the dressage, but the rain held off and the day ran really smoothly. Junior Introductory rider, Justine Streeter was delighted with her young horse’s calm and classy test, achieving the top score of the day. The pair ultimately finished on their dressage score and won this class. The FEI official who judged the Junior Pre Novice had complimentary things to say about the leaders; Daisy May Denny was first after the dressage and went on to win this class. Emma Howard and Cullendore Trooper topped the Senior Intro dressage phase, closely followed by Kevin McNabb who piloted Dustman to the eventual win in this division.

Emma competed 2* last year and commented that she was having a bit of fun riding a young horse in Intro as a balance to her uni commitments and studying law. Rebel Morrow claimed the top two dressage placings in the CNC* class; it was nice to see her have a team of really good horses to bring forward after missing the early season due to an injury.

 

Competitor Jo Williams said she really enjoyed her day, walking the course with officials, Tony Walls and Sylvia Roberts, learning how to measure course distances and obstacle dimensions and to determine ride times. Jo is training for her TD qualification – we think you’ll make a great official, Jo.

 

As a precautionary measure to deter flying foxes, the iconic fig tree was illuminated overnight. One or two were sighted but didn’t seem to stick around, and the only squawking heard was people having a great time around a few campfires on Saturday night.

 

The rain preceding the event had not been torrential and the footing on the course appeared to be pretty good, with just caution warranted in a few slippery spots and on the curves. The good news is that Sunday turned out to be a lovely, sunny day and riders finishing with clear rounds were all smiles. However, it happened that there was a bit of drama with the course proving a tough test across the levels and seven falls resulting in eliminations. Nearly half of the Preliminary classes incurred penalties at fence 7, the Apex out of Lake Eyre. A bigger apex out of the water created a challenge for the Pre Novice classes with a total of six refusals, but it was not the first time for this test to be included at this level here. Unluckily coming off at the water in the CNC*, Seanah Duffy incurred a gouge in her leg from her horse’s stud that was severe enough to send her to hospital and surgery – and on her twentieth birthday!

 

Zach Stanton demonstrated that it is helpful to have grace in the air; he reportedly performed an impressive cartwheel to land on his feet when his horse was unfortunate to just catch a leg at the new Arrowhead and Ditch complex in the CNC**.

 

The new Triple Bar in the Pre Novice caused few difficulties except for coincidentally, two fancy chestnuts who insisted on being sceptical on their first approach.

In the Pre Novice Class only the famous lads, Tom Doyle and Kevin managed clear XC rounds within time and only starlet, Isabel English managed to do this in the Junior PN.

 

The surface for the showjumping was brilliant! Kevin McNab pointed out that the earlier rain had actually served to produce a really good surface on the sand (plus we are pretty sure we saw Deb Postle driving around, grooming the arena on Saturday night). With the three leaders in the CNC ** class each dropping two rails, there was no change in position after the Cross Country and Kelecyn Cognac and Kevin held on to their lead for the win.

 

Only Rebel Morrow and showjumping specialist, McKeely Elliot left the rails up in the CNC* showjumping, with Rebel winning the class on Ivy Bank Casper.

Thank you to the extremely dedicated Committee and Membership of the Fig Tree Pocket Equestrian Centre who have brought us another really super competition despite a number of challenges.

 

The support from sponsors was fantastic, in particular, Jamie Godson of Godson Groundworks who sponsored the event and made his bobcat available ...without it the Committee claims they would be still there doing the list of jobs!

 

Horseland Jindalee was once again a major contributor to this event, so riders be sure to visit the store and use the 10% discount offered with your entry– you will be impressed by the top equipment and international fashions on offer here.

 

Also included in the rider bags, with thanks to our generous sponsors, was a $25 voucher to spend on advertising on Horsezone.com.au; 10% off your next order at Onlinehorsesupplies.com.au as well as information on The Magic Breed Foaling alarm System, Corinda Mower & Chainsaw Centre, Crispin Bennett International Horse Transport, and Mitavite who also included a feed sample! We are sure you will make good use of these exclusive offers and at the same time, thank the sponsors who have supported your sport.

 

The next event to look forward to at this venue is on October 29 - 30.

 

Report courtesy of Stephanie Forster - Fig Tree Pocket Equestrian Club Sponsorship Coordinator

 

TOP PLACE RESULTS

 

GDR Truckparts CNC **

1st Kevin Mc Nab & Kelecyn Cognac

2nd Natalie Siiankoski & Smart Show Off

3rd Rebel Morrow & Hillgrove Enviable

4th Trudy Freeman & Room To Zoom

 

Equissage CNC *

1st Rebel Morrow & Ivy Bank Caasper

2nd Rebel Morrow & Corambo

3rd Paul Mackie & Its Mitch

4th Matt Gaske & Burlington Star

5th Natalie Siiankoski & KS Dragonfly

6th Lucy Mortlock & Kelecyn Tommassi

 

Hallmark Performance Horses Pre Novice

1st Thomas Doyle & Chironic Elegance

2nd Kevin McNab & Kinnordy Gymara

3rd Jane Pollitt & Wistari Arizona

4th Amy Godsall & Jack Murphy

5th Katie Gorell & KP Samsation

6th Terri Kolb & Anamazze

 

Whites Diesels Junior Pre Novice

1st Daisy-may Denny & Goron Toron Rarity

2nd McKeeley Elliot & Hallmark Bonaduce

3rd Isabel English & Croyden Park Dancer

4th Kate Galloway & Pyzano

5th Isabel English & Cil Dara Diego

6th Sheridan Sullivan & Master O’Reilly

 

Horsezone Preliminary

1st Melissa Jensen & Lord of the Mannor

2nd Sean Corr & Conqueror Mick

3rd Grant Paddison & Granlea King of Brit

4th Fiona Wallis & Thistle Hill Fleetwood

5th Rachel Torpy & Locknload

6th Emma Dougall & Kelecyn Happy Feet

Crispin Bennett International Horse Transport

 

Junior Preliminary

1st Emma Sullivan & Sonitas Spin N Go

2nd Liz Wolstenholme & Kelecyn Tori

3rd Amanda Postle & Desert Fox

4th Sebastian Fox & Kahean Trooper OHara

5th Natasha Rudd & Just Cause

6th Zach Stanton & Cosmic Firefly

 

Online Horse Supplies Introductory

1st Kevin McNab & Dustman

2nd Thomas Doyle & Chironic Dominant VI

3rd Charlotte Price & Ariel

4th Tanya Schmidt & Sequesta

5th Emma Howard & Cullendore Trooper

6th Annie Johnston & Ashlong Jacob’s Creek

 

Godson Groundworks Junior Introductory

1st Justine Streeter & Brierley Bold Rumor

2nd Emily Rink & Pligrim

3rd Lisetter Schultsrand & Mount Bold Jus Dor

4th Jayne Russell & Chicka Chilla

5th Courtney Foster & Blairmore Park Scram

6th Ashleigh Davis & Gold Park Gold Tocke

 

• Visit the Fig Tree Pocket ODE Photo Gallery