Sandro Hit & Royal Hit Pogeny Shine - Young Horse Competition Melbourne International 3 Day Event

Report & Photos by: Geoff McLean T/A Gone Riding Media and Photography

Andrew Cooper and Hunters Hill - Six Year Old Winners

Arctic Royal Rose - Five Year Old winners

Emily McQueen and Fitzroy VEH - Four Year Old winners

Grandchildren of Sandro Hit and progeny of Royal Hit, last night again demonstrated to the Australian Equestrian community the contribution they have made to equestrian sport globally.  

Not only was Sandro Hit a world champion dressage horse in his own right, but his progeny have gone on to be highly regarded in all Olympic disciplines. Royal Hit has sired numerous world class eventer and showjumpers.

Melbourne International 3 Day Event is truly becoming an equestrian festival not to miss.  Traditionally the Thursday before was simply trot up and the real action commenced Friday.  This year organisers introduced the Inaugural Young Event Horse competition for 4, 5 and 6 year old horses.  This entertaining competition was generously sponsored by ESB Horses.  Despite the wet and cold conditions the event was well attended and spectators were entertained by some excellent riding on talented young horses and judged by Barry Roycroft, Wayne Roycroft and Denis Golding.

Horses were judged on 5 criteria movement and type, rideability, scope, technique and general impression.

First out were the 4 year old horses.  For most this was either their first or second competition start in an indoor arena let alone one filled with spectators so the potential was there for a nervous moment and a hesitation or two.  To the riders credit these youngsters performed and behaved well. In the four year old class it was Emily McQueen’s evening after riding three horses in the class, Emily took out first and second place riding Fitzroy VEH and Exceeds Expectations, third place went to Linda Williams on the thoroughbred mare Linbil Kitty Hawke

The next class to present were the five year olds.  There were twelve starters in the class and eight were sired by one of three Stallions, Royal Hit, Allesandro, and In the Black, this in itself made for interesting competition.  Competition was tight with only nine points splitting a field of twelve but it proved to be a Royal Hit night with his progeny taking out first and second places First place after a count back was Arctic Royal Rose ridden by Erin Funk, in second place was Sonja Johnson making the trip across the Nullarbor riding Misty Isles Raconteur, just one point away in third was Doubtless ridden by Pip Durbin.

The final class to present to the judges for the evening in the ESB Young Event Horse competition were the six year olds.  Andrew Cooper came out on his stunning thoroughbred gelding Hunters Hill giving an impressive display to win on a score of 94 points, four points clear of Rikki Andreasen in second on Sorento another Royal Hit horse, third place went to Tarryn Proctor riding the stunning grey warm blood mare Oncoming Storm.

The success of this inaugural young event horse competition should almost certainly see it included in the 2016 MI3DE competition and beyond.  Again a special Thanks to Vanessa Hawkins and ESB horses for sponsoring this entertaining and exciting event.  Young Horse events allow riders and owners to show case their wonderful horses but it is also an excellent way to introduce young horses to FEI competition conditions. If these horses are indicative of the young horses coming up through the eventing grades all bodes well for the future of eventing in Australia.

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• View more photos from the event here goneridingmedia.com.au

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