Ballarat hunter trials a test of prowess and time

Competitors in the Friends of Ballarat Eventing Association hunter trials are judged not only for their jumping skills but the ability to judge time on courses that include cross country fences.

Class act: Bronte Bravo, riding Altona, on her way to a win in the two-star class at Friends of Ballarat Eventing Association hunter trials. Picture: Derek O'Leary

IT’S  no surprise that the Friends of Ballarat Eventing Association has won the Equestrian Victoria club of the year.

For the past 14 years the club has grown from helping out the local pony club to running an FEI four star competition.

Members are a group of friends who each contributes their area of expertise. They conduct several events each year to raise funds that are then applied back into equestrian sports equipment and capital improvements at the Victoria Park Equestrian Precinct in Ballarat and have raised more than $600,000.

They have already begun to hold competitions and there were 111 riders at their hunter trials last week.

Hunter trials are like horse trials without the dressage, which, to some people whose horses dislike that section of the sport, is a great relief.

Courses include cross country fences and competitors are judged not only on jumping ability but being able to judge time.

The pair will score 10 points for a clear jump, five points for one refusal or rail down and a zero for having to bypass a fence and move on.

There is a joker fence set a level higher that scores 20 points if it’s clear and minus 10 of if it’s knocked down.

Competitors need to ride closest to the measured optimum time for the course but cannot wear watches and have to mentally work out their accurate pace.

Bronte Bravo riding Altona won the two-star class, Carrie James on the Real Slim Shady won the one-star class.

Georgia Kersopp-Cole took out the 95cm section with Champagne Lola and in the two 80cm classes, Rita DeBon’s Velvet Well Fit Returns and Kylie Thomas’ Etched in Gold won their sections. Michelle Debenhams’ Fabulous Freddie won the 65cm class.

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