Bits: Vale Jim Delamont, gear sale and top eventers named
THE show world has been saddened by the news the great horseman Jim Delamont has died aged 90.
Without exception, the tributes to him have been of a much loved man, with one saying, “an absolute gentleman who has his picture under that description in the dictionary”.
Jim trained and worked with Franz Mairinger and went to the Rome Olympics with the gold medal team in 1960.
Jim and his wife Jenny and daughter Angela were stalwarts of the Bowral Dressage Club from its inception. Jim was known to all as a perfect gentleman. Even in a warm up arena he would touch his helmet to you on the first encounter of the day.
The family also starred in the hack ring with Jim, Jenny and Angela successfully riding in both hack classes at royals for many years.
Always modest in his success and always with a smile, many found knowing Jim to be a privilege. He will be remembered as a tour de force in the horse world.
His funeral is on Tuesday, October 3, in Berrima NSW.
*
EQUESTRIAN Australia has announced that Stephen Lamb has been appointed as the Jumping Chef d’Equipe.
An excellent choice, Lamb will serve in this role through to December 31, 2024, which will include the Paris Olympics.
Lamb has previously served as Jumping Chef d’Equipe for the Australian Equestrian Team (1999 -2013) where he covered Sydney, Hong Kong and London Olympics as well as the World Equestrian Games at Jerez, Aachen and Lexington.
He served as an Equestrian Australia Jumping Selector (2016-2023) on a panel of three, selecting Australian Jumping Teams for World Equestrian Games, World Championships, Olympic Games and other international competitions including juniors and young riders.
*
DEBBY Cheeseman is a long-time horse “showie” and has had daughters that rode and constantly outgrew their gear.
More than 25 years ago she created the first gear market at Werribee Park and it has been a great success. Recently, because she now lives in the middle of Victoria, she organised a sale at Shepparton.
The inaugural GV Equine Gear Market held the showgrounds on August 19 and it, by all reports, was a boomer.
People were there first thing in the morning looking for bargains, often with a measuring tape in their hand or phoning a friend for advice. Many travelled long distances to bag a bargain or two.
Debby described this event as “a great start” and she hopes to hold more. Nearly 50 stalls were booked with items for sale including a jinker and harness, horse float, saddles, bridles and lots of horse rugs. The money raised from the market will be used to upgrade the horse facilities at the Taura Park Equestrian Centre.
She said the market was a great opportunity for Victorian horse people to catch up with friends outside of the show season.
“In many ways it is a positive mental health initiative for the horsey crowd of all ages, especially the vulnerable adolescent and younger riders, and the council is to be commended for their foresight in supporting this,” she said.
*
AUSTRALIA will have an eventing team at the Boekelo Nations Cup event in the Netherlands next week.
Sammi Birch and Jutopia , Bill Levett and RNH Tom Tom , Kevin McNab and Miss Pepperpot and Ryan Wood and Cooley Flight will compete as a team and there will two individuals, Megan Jones and RLE Barina and Isabel English and Cil Dara Dallas. Cil Dara Dallas is, remarkably, the only Australian-bred horse.
*
WITH the Garryowen two days away we’ve noticed a lot of people sussing out Claire Uren’s Shiny Boot Recipe we published in March last year. The problem is that the Parade Gloss boot polish is no longer available. But don’t despair, Claire told us that in Woolworths, the Smart Premium quality show polish in high gloss black is Parade Gloss in disguise. So you are saved. Woolworths can expect a run on that aisle.
*
AUSTRALIAN dressage fans have always had a high opinion of Jayden Brown’s lovely young horse Willinga Park Quincy B and are really pleased that they placed third with 75 per cent at the British Dressage National Championships behind Becky Moody’s Jaegerbomb on 77.77.9 per cent and Carl Hester’s En Vogue on 77.1
The horse is still inexperienced but has time to develop more before Olympic selection.
*
LONG-TIME clerk of the course Trudie Clarke has been inducted into Darwin Racing’s Hall of Fame after more than 50 years’ service to the NT racing industry.
She is the first woman to join the illustrious role of honour.
She was also presented with an industry recognition award due to her service as a jockey, trainer, clerk of the course and Taminmin College mentor for many young people doing their stablehand certificates one and two.
*
THAT noise you are hearing is probably from Werribee Park. Equestrian Victoria is hosting the 2023 Interschool Championships at the National Equestrian Centre from Friday until October 3. Excited school kids from every state in Australia will already be starting to gather there to compete in dressage flat riding showjumping and horse trials. More information here.
*
THE Victoria Racing Club is considering hosting more stable open days after the first was a success.
More than 400 racing fans attended Flemington before the Spring Classics Preview Raceday, with 12 stables inviting visitors from the public to have a look at what goes on behind the scenes and to meet leading trainers and champion horses.
The club’s executive general manager for racing, Leigh Jordon, said initial feedback about the event had been overwhelmingly positive and the club would now consider expanding the initiative to the autumn.
"It was a good chance for people to be able to get in touch with the horse, which I think we've probably lost a little bit," he said.
*
HORSES jumped where gladiators once faced off when the Global Champions Tour was held in Rome.
In a heart-pounding display, world number one Henrik von Eckermann rode King Edward to victory for the second time this year. David Will and My Prins van Dorperheide finished just 0.20 seconds behind Von Eckermann. Peder Fredricson on Catch Me Not S and Andreas Schou on I Know finished joint third, clocking in with the exact same time in the jump-off.
*
EQUESTRIAN Australia’s senior and junior high performance eventing squads have been updated following a yearly review.
The squads include athletes that are identified in conjunction with the Australian Institute of Sport and its high performance investment strategy, aimed at achieving Olympic medal outcomes. Molly Lines and Tadpole and Sophia Fox and Mr Pig from the junior list are a couple of the names who will be familiar to our readers.
Stories on The Regional’s website are free to read and always will be.
If you enjoyed this article you can show your support by joining our mailing list (either by filling out the form below or sending us a message).
We'd also get very excited if you put a "like" on our Facebook page.
Comments