Improvements Made to the Fig Tree Pocket Course - September ODE Results

By: Meryn Cooper, Zebramez Media

I’m not sure what it is, but every time the Fig Tree Pocket committee schedule an ODE, it rains. The club’s survived muddy paddocks, torrential rain, even floods, whatever it is Fig Tree Pocket ODE sure knows how to attract the rain.  

It’s been dry for weeks, my plants were wilting, the dog bowl kept evaporating and the lawn was brown. Yet sure as clockwork in the early hours before the September ODE the sky opened up and down came the rain. Only this time it was welcome, the thunderstorm helped to settle the dust on the arena and soften the ground for the cross country.

More than 140 competitors enjoyed the changes made to the Fig Tree Pocket ODE grounds at the ODE this weekend.

The Fig Tree Pocket committee and members have been working hard behind the scenes to improve the course for dressage, showjumping and cross country.

After teething problems with the arena, it has been completely re-worked and rode well. The club was determined to have a rider-pleasing sand arena, and organised to have the whole space regraded after feedback from riders. This time the comments were positive.

A new jump was added to the cross-country warm up area, which will be added to the course for the next event. And there were two new brush jumps and a fantastic new large log fence.

The other significant change was that the finish flags were moved, so those completing the course were no longer flying into the warm up and start box area.

In the FEI Classes Indira Werny on Balmoral Dr Magic took out the 2**, Shane Eden on Edenvale Joshua first in the 1*.

Other winners were;
EVA105 – Stephanie McKay on Monte Argo
EVA 105J – Marnie Woodhead on Chanels Will
EVA95 - Brianne Heffernan on Kinnordy Gymara
EVA95J – Justine Streater on Worrego Marco Polo
EVA80 – Gillian Coote on Cushavon Softee
EVA80J – Emma Taylor on Just My Style

The enthusiastic committee have less than a month till they do it all again.

The cross country course is now closed prior to the next event on October 26 and 27. Entries open on Nominate at 8pm tonight!!

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