Annual horse trials back on track in Charlton

The Midland Zone horse trials, which were cancelled in March due to COVID-19, were finally under way with the easing of restrictions in regional Victoria.

Acing it: Grade two rider Kian Blanchard on Ace at the Midland zone pony club team challenge horse trials. Picture: Michael Goddard

THE  Midland zone pony club team challenge horse trials finally happened last weekend at Charlton.

The organiser for the event, Sue Foley, said: “We are all excited about getting back to eventing competition.

“This event is held annually and was first scheduled to be run in March but was cancelled due to COVID-19.”

The easing of restrictions allowed the horse trials to be run to give pony club riders the opportunity to qualify for the 2021 PCV state horse trials to be held next April.

Part of the cross country course runs alongside the Avoca River.

The winning team was from Horsham Pony Club with Anna Sudholz on River and Blaze, Iris Sudholz on Pixie, Austin McLellan on Stormhaven Sundance and Montana Dickerson on Copper Q Philadelphia.

The home team from Charlton was second, and third on a countback was Bealiba from Charlton’s second team. Individual pony club winners were Grade one, J’Aime Mallon and Irish Gem, Grade two Kian Blanchard and Ace, Grade three, Anna Sudholz and Blaze, Grade four, Iris Sudholz and Pixie, Grade five, Asha Fielder and Tapu Height of Elegance and Grade six, Charlotte Dowell and Steph.

In the Open two, Gemma Cowburn and Allstars Banjo won, Open three, Steph Conway and Willow, Open four, Kath Toomey and Douglas, Open five, Jessica Barraclough and Trigger and in Open six, Zarah Mealmaker and Creswell Snowden.

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