Werribee trials give competitors a spring in their step

Riders flocked to the State Equestrian Centre at Werribee Park to compete in dressage and hunter trials.

Making splash: Kate Wallis riding Harrold Esquire, winner of a one-star class. Picture: Tazzie Eggins

IN perfect weather and with the State Equestrian Centre at Werribee Park looking magnificent, horse trials competitors finally had their day in the sun.

Event organiser Janet Houghton said “it was just wonderful, everyone was so happy, and needing a cross country run before the Lakes and Craters horse trials event next month”.

Competitors rode on both days, with a separate eventing dressage competition held under the expert eye of international level judge Susie Hoevenaars, who has been chosen to be on the Ground Jury at the Tokyo Games.

Molly Lines on Tadpole Will Enzinger on Cairo Xtreme, Yona Lloyd on Solituel, and Sophia Landy on Seattle Park were among the dressage class winners on Saturday. On Sunday, dressage winners were Kirralee Hosier’s AEA Flynn, Jarryd Stanley’s Kenlock Park Casino Royale, Sara Jane Vaughn with Solitaire Park Exclusive Alibi, Linda Harley’s Baileys N Ice and Molly Lines’Henry.

Saturday’s hunter trials winners were Sheridan Wilson’s Artane Murphy, Molly Barry and La Muso, Kate Wallis riding Harrold Esquire, Hannah Bird’s Emmaville Desire, Lilly Macgregor’s Little Miss Sunshine, Melissa Gulen’s Woodington Jeramiah and Georgia Spangaro’s Lord Swinborne.

On Sunday, winners in the hunters trials were Kimberley Johnson’s George, Jenny Bowker’s BMS Katapult, Melita Gartner’s Eye Contact, Archie Houghton’s Sammy O’Reilly, Robyn Brown’s I’m Bobby Too and Molly Lines’ Tadpole. The Lakes and Craters event will close off on a hopeful note, the end of what has been a frustrating year for horse trials fans. But with a busy autumn program, starting with Pakenham, Geelong and Oxley in late February through to the Melbourne International three-day event in June 2021, at least they have something to look forward to.

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