Snowy Mountains Showjumping Festival a Success!

The 2014 Snowy Mountains Showjumping Festival was held at The Station from Tuesday 7 January to Saturday 11 January.  Formerly staged in Cooma, the event is in its ninth year but this is the first time it has been held at the exciting new venue owned by Perisher, The Station.

Despite the dry conditions we are experiencing in the region, the ground was in great shape, thanks to some expert preparation by the team of ground staff at the venue. Forest Park Riding School and Longarch Showjumping provided the Showjumping equipment, transforming the Station from a bare oval into an international feeling Showjumping hub.

The Festival continues to grow and this year, 350 riders and over 700 horses descended on Jindabyne for the week. Some 100,000 jumps were jumped over four days of competition, with 350 riders notching up some 3,500km’s of riding time.

The NSW Country Showjumping Championships were contested over three rounds as part of our event and the competition for all titles was fierce. 

The final round of the open event was won by current Australian Young Rider champion, Tom McDermott, riding CP Rolex, but the points were accumulated over three rounds and The Senior Title went to local rider, young Clint Beresford from Bega, riding his in-form horse, Emmaville Jitterbug.

The runners up were young Izabella Stone from Canberra who is riding very strongly and who is now very competitive in the senior ranks, and Tom McDermott riding Statford Delight.

The young Rider Champion was Jamie Priestley in her first year in this category, looking very impressive on her beautiful mount  KS Optimus, the Junior Champion was Savannah Hopkinson riding Code of Honour, and the Amateur Champion was another Bega rider, Alissa Williams riding Anigrey. The NSW Country Speed Championship was won by Tom McDermott on another of his mounts, Fernhill Zin Zan.

Four rings were in operation for the four days and we saw riders from 4 to 74 years jumping around courses of varying heights from cross rails to 1.50m, all enjoying the atmosphere and all aiming for personal bests.  Each ring ran with many volunteers, without whom we could not operate, and spectators and riders enjoyed some wonderful jumping and the chance to browse the trade stands each day. 

The Station was voted an excellent venue for equestrian competition, with families using the accommodation and stabling or yarding their horses next to their cabin, and then having the luxury of acres to ride and enjoy the rolling hills of the Monaro. Happy Jacks Bar and all you can eat Bistro and takeaway Pizza joint meant people never had to leave the grounds.

New this year was the introduction of the Horsezone Sellers Class, a great event that saw 14 horses nominate and showcase their form and ability in the Main arena. With a $10,000 bonus up for grabs, thanks to Inglis Insurance, for any horse purchased within 60 days of the class certainly increased the interest in the competition.

We were very fortunate to have some extremely generous sponsors and special mention must go to The Station and Perisher for their support and to Heath and Krissy Harris, from Hawkesbury River Saddle Company, who donated 3 saddles which were won by lucky competitors.

As the organisers we are already planning for an even bigger and better event next year.

By: Tim Dreverman