Pictures: Back in the saddle for KI Cup
The comeback spirit of Kangaroo Island was on full display this weekend – on the track and off of it.
Lifestyle
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In saddling up for the Kangaroo Island Racing Carnival, Alice Lindsay personified the comeback spirit of the island community.
Devastated by bushfires and the trials of the Covid-19 pandemic, the community came together for the KI Cup on Saturday – the biggest, most celebratory event on its calendar attracting a crowd of more than 2500.
Until the two-day carnival, Jockey Lindsay had not raced for seven months after a nasty fall.
The 28-year-old suffered multiple injuries including a broken back, crushed hand, broken nose and two black eyes after she fell from a mount and was galloped over by two other horses in Darwin last July.
After major physiotherapy the Adelaide Hills woman was elated to return in the first event on Thursday and again on Saturday.
“I don’t know if it’s courageous or crazy,” she said.
“I honestly couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. Once I was actually riding it didn’t feel real.”
Six-year-old Murray Bridge gelding Splash Some Cash, ridden by Justin Huxtable, galloped over the line to claim victory in the cup.
KI mayor Michael Pengilly said the cup was another step forward for the region.
“This is the biggest event on the island by far and it’s very important and great for tourism,” he said.
“The large turnout is an expression of confidence in the island and in the cup. People are wanting to move on with life.”
He said efforts to draw people to KI and build the economy following bushfires in 2019 had been hampered by Covid but big events like the cup were helpful as it worked to recover.
The carnival is an annual tradition for local Sienna Puthland, 18, but she wasn’t there for punting.
“I haven’t put any bets on anything. I’m more here for the social aspect,” she said.
Having lived on the island her whole life, she said recent years had been difficult.
“It’s been hard with the fires and Covid. The cup just lightens everyone’s mood – well I’m always happy when I’m here,” she said. “The only ones that are grumpy are the ones that lose their bets.”
Brompton housemates Sophie Robinson, Carissa Howe and Madeline Petrown made a girls’ trip to the island.
It was their first time at the carnival and Ms Howe, 24, said she was thoroughly enjoying herself despite the sun.
“I’m very sunburnt,” she said. “I work for the Cancer Council and I should’ve brought more sunscreen.”
Kangaroo Island Racing Club track manager Mick Zander said the effort of planning the day paid off.
“You all get tired at the end of it but when you see the crowd having a good time it makes it all worth it,” Mr Zander said.
The Kingscote man has been involved with the club since 1980, and was back at the track two days after a hip replacement in November.
“I usually get ‘divorced’ in September and she (wife Mandy) takes me back in March,” Mr Zander said.
Jaimee Bruggemann, 20, already a veteran of hundreds of fashions on the field events around the country, narrowly missed out on a place but remained chipper as she cheered on the cup runners. The Strathalbyn woman – daughter of local trainer Nicole Irwin, who had four horses in the cup race – wore a $600 yellow long dress and pink accessories.
“Because we go around with the horses it’s a good excuse to dress up and have fun with it,” she said.
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