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Early winter chill didn't daunt riders at Riddells Creek

Writer's picture: Fran ClelandFran Cleland

ABOVE: Nina Ryssenbeek and The Honey Badger on their way to a win in Grade Four. Picture: DEREK O’LEARY

THE eventing season rolls on and the numbers stay large, in pony club as well as senior open events. Riddells Creek Horse Trials was no exception. Despite Victoria’s capricious weather throwing its chilly worst at the event, there was excellent competition over its well-built cross-country fences.


In the Grade One class, Avril Charman from Upper Beaconsfield Pony Club riding on Annabella, followed by Isabella O’Donnell, with Courtier, from Wyena Horse and Pony Club and Avril Charman riding Hebrides for the Upper Beaconsfield Pony Club all finished on their dressage scores with clear jumping rounds and within two penalty marks of each other.


Charlotte Armstrong riding ESB Golden Musician and representing Yarrambat Pony Club won Grade Two, four points ahead of Macedon Pony Club’s Stella Hemingway and Springtail Miss, who rose from fourth after dressage.


A good dressage score was a big help in the Grade Three, with Emily Walker from the Kangaroo Ground Pony Club riding Tempting Fate taking the section. All six placegetters scored more than 70 per cent, with showjumping faults sorting out the top placings.


Nina Ryssenbeek’s The Honey Badger won Grade Four for the Macedon Pony Club, with Mikayla Dickinson’s Tonto from Healesville Pony Club and Kathryn Bartlett’s Lucy from Woodlands Pony Club making up the top three.


The Grade Five placings were Sophie Bourke on Wishy from Maldon Pony Club, Grace Ayers’ Up with the Sparrows from Macedon Pony Club and Tamsyn Harvey’s Klimpton Park Royalty from Riddells Creek Pony Club.


Grade Six, where small people with ponies having charming names like Isla Gurr’s Buffy, Teagan Burn’s Pumpkin and Abbey Brinkhuis’ Honky, is always a favourite. It was the Welshie Wyann Touch Of Class ridden by Emma Robertson from Gisborne Pony Club who won the class.


Riddles Creek also ran open classes, with Balnarring Pony Club rider Annabelle Ennis-Wert and It's Overcast winning the open PC 110.


The Open Grade One went to Samantha McMaster from Euroa Pony Club riding Setcon.

Grade three – as it has for every event this year – was divided due to the large numbers of entries, with Zoe Barbetti’s Shezacontenda and Arlene Collins’ Daisy Duke winning their sections.


Grade Four was also divided and Paige Cogger’s Churchill MBE and Courtney Thompson’s River Tavi took home their blue sashes.


The club also ran a Grade Six combined training class, won by Penny Mawhinney riding Roy.


ABOVE: Stella Hemingway, of Macedon Pony Club, and Springtail Miss. Picture: DEREK O’LEARY
ABOVE: Euroa rider Samantha McMaster and Setcon. Picture: DEREK O’LEARY
ABOVE: Jasmyn Beesley, of Mandurang South Pony Club, and Prosecco. Picture: DEREK O’LEARY

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