Blue sky, green grass at the end of March, rolling hills and lots of shade trees.  I must admit that Wandin is my favourite event on the calendar.  I never miss it; there is something beautiful about the Yarra Valley and the course nestles between rolling hills, providing excellent viewpoints for spectators.  Yet the spectator numbers were down this year.  I cannot understand how we can win three Olympic team gold medals and yet our top riders compete continually in front of few spectators.  What must we do to raise the profile of eventing in this country? Special thanks must go to John and Angela Anker for the use of their beautiful property, Wandin Park.  We must also thank the Sponsors for this year’s competition - Livamol, Domaine Chandon, Deakin Financial Services and the RACV.

Entries were up in the higher levels, but had dropped from three sections of Pre Novice last year to two sections this year. This may have something to do with the introduction of lower levels of eventing at official competitions.  Riders now have somewhere to start their horses below Pre-Novice.  This must have a positive outcome, as our young horses are able to gain experience at a less taxing level.  We will have to wait and see if the standard of Pre-Novice increases as a result of these competitions.

In the Advanced a field of eighteen horses started on Saturday, with fourteen horses completing the whole competition.  Olivia Bunn, Megan Jones, David Middleton and Wendy Schaeffer all had two horses in the Advanced, and many had additional rides in the lower levels.David Middleton put together a fine test on Saturday afternoon on R.U.N.V.S. to take the lead with a total of 40.80 penalties, just in front of Amanda Ross on Wynella Rialto for a score of 42.00.  Third after the dressage was Megan Jones on Kirby Park Irish Hallmark.  Unfortunately for Amanda she withdrew after the dressage

The showjumping track proved a little tricky with no clear rounds within the time.  Placings juggled around after David slipped to third.  With a total of 8 jumping penalties, but no time faults this left him with a total of 48.80 penalties.  A clear round with just 2.0 time faults saw Megan Jones snatch the lead on Kirby Park Irish Hallmark, going in to the cross country on a total of 44.30.  Olivia Bunn on GV Top of the Line had a clear round with just 1.0 time faults to take second place.

A shady spot before the heat of the cross country

David Middleton had the two fastest cross country rides of the day, and it was certainly time faults which became the deciding factor in the final placings. Clear cross country and just 2.4 time faults saw David regain the lead.  Another Wandin title for David and R.U.N.V.S., they also won this event in 2001.  David provides excellent results for Jo Anne Malloy, the horse’s owner.

His strongest rival for first place came from his own horse W.E.C. Warlord, a winner at Novice level here in 2001.  Coming up from 9^th in the dressage, his showjumping round added just 4 penalties, and a clear cross country with just 5.6 time faults to finish second. In third place was Emily Anker on Balmoral Cavalier, a horse which Emily part owns with Mary-Jane Crabtree who ably judged the “Showing of the Paces” for the MecWorma Young Event Horse.  Balmoral Cavalier is by Balmoral Boy, so too is Megan Jones’ Kirby Park Irish Hallmark. Fourth place went to Wendy Schaeffer on Sun Smart, unfortunately for Wendy she had to withdraw her other Advanced ride – Koyuna Sun-Glo after the dressage.  South Australian rider Megan Jones placed fifth and sixth respectively on Kirby Park Irish Hallmark and Kirby Park Irish Jester. Megan would have been thrilled with her two clear cross country rounds, but time faults pushed her down the line for presentation.

Margaret Jones, mother of South Australian eventer Megan Jones walking Kirby Park Hercules whilst Megan prepares for her next Novice ride on Wrestwood Callisto.  Unfortunately Megan got her reins caught and lost her approach to a fence cross country, incurring 20 penalties. Margaret assured me they were thrilled with KP Hercules otherwise clear round cross country and showjumping.  He has just been upgraded from Novice and I am sure is another potential star for Megan's strong team of good horses.

The Intermediate section had a strong field of 25 riders.  A win for Robert Goodwin on the big chestnut gelding Northern Cosmo by Northern Congress.  After placing second in the dressage on a score of 52.20, a double clear showjumping round added no further penalties.  A clear cross country with the fastest time for the day and just 6.8 time faults saw Robert finish on a total score of 59.00, well ahead of Wendy Schaeffer in second place on Sun Shades. Third place went to promising young local rider Emily Hodgson on Chief Wigham (who competed here last year in the Junior Novice section), fourth to Anne Putker riding Weltevreden Spur On, fifth to Clemi Mann riding Irish Warrior and sixth to Anna Cullen riding Macmiga. Dressage leader Janelle Pitts slipped to eleventh position after a stop cross country and time faults.

Return to the Main Equestrian News Index
Go to Page 2