Tonimbuk horse trials find success at ‘Lardner’

The Friends of Tonimbuk Horse Trials committee got around the stage four lockdown rules by changing the venue to run their competition, which was a success.

Andrew Cooper riding Tasman Park Ovation at a previous Tonimbuk Horse Trials event. Picture: Derek O'Leary

AS Tonimbuk Equestrian Centre is within the boundaries of metropolitan Melbourne, the committee of the Tonimbuk Horse Trials were left with little option but to change the venue if they wished to run a competition.

Bound by stage four lockdown rules the committee of the Friends of Tonimbuk Horse Trials chose the Baw Baw Equestrian Centre (Lardner Park) to run their day.

The event was open to competitors who resided within regional Victoria only and each rider was permitted one person to attend the event, who must also live within regional Victoria. No spectators were permitted.

The event ran classes for EvA65, EvA80, EvA95, CCN1* & CCN2* and entry numbers were capped at 100 horses, with a maximum three horses per rider.

The first event of the day, the EvA65 was won by Bree Harvey riding Rathowen Sprightly with 26.9 penalties from Glenda Bukolt and Simply Red on 27.2 penalties.

The well-supported EvA80 section was a clean sweep to showjumping rider Megan Joyce who rode Val Vader to win with 16.4 penalties. She also took second riding Holly Higgins with 21.4 penalties.

Joyce was especially delighted with the results as she is only recently back in the saddle following the birth of her second child.

The Horseland Warragul EvA90 section was also strongly supported but it was Caitlyn Appleby riding Regardez Secrets that took out the competition with 24.7 penalties.

A very close second place went to Molly Barry riding Impulsive Ways on 25 penalties.

The CCN 2* was a little light in numbers but not in quality.

Lisa North riding Magical Mystical Merlin finished on her dressage score of 28.8 penalties to win the section from Fleur Timmons and De Lago Warrior on 32.5 penalties.

MORE

REGIONAL SHOWJUMPING CLUB CELEBRATES FIRST ‘OUT OF ISO’ CONTEST

EASING OF RESTRICTIONS GIVES REGIONAL RIDERS GLIMMER OF HOPE

AUSTRALIAN RIDERS IMPRESS IN TRIALS SHOWDOWNS