Hard to beat a winter woolies show for a good day out
WINTER Woollies shows are marvellous little events that pop up just like mushrooms all around the country.
They are identified by hairy ponies, bug-eyed newbie horses and lots of encouragement and laughter.
It gives bored show horse people a chance to get an event fix, new horses some experience, kids a chance to meet up, and the grownups an opportunity to meet and gossip.
Heathcote Pony Club's Winter Woollies Show attracted a big crowd, with four rings, two trade stands and absolutely perfect winter weather.
There were endlessly circling tiny tots on Shetlands and patient stewards begging them to line up.
The supreme championships of the show were supreme led exhibit: Koora-Lyn Celebration shown by Nicole Guppy; the supreme rider was Amanda Preedy riding Tapu Patrone; and, the supreme ridden exhibit was Jemma Reeve-Singles’ Kolbeach Aristocrat.
Often at these events, some unpolished gems are seen.
Lisa Glascott’s young Palomino Warmblood, aptly named Desert Gold and known at home as Flicka, won a saddle class, but went no further. He is a lovely type, a great moved, super colour and has a future and an interesting story.
“Flicka was my Covid buy,” Lisa said. “Bought, unseen, unbroken in another state. His sire is an Arab Cremello out of a Warmblood mare.
“I had a riding accident a couple of years ago whilst breaking in a horse where I broke my neck from a pony. I already had an off-the-track that I was hoping to use for the Garryowen but he had travelling issues so then came Flicka.”
Lisa said she worked with Robyn Pearce to get her confidence back.
“We did some dressage days, adult riding just to get some outings, but once a showy always a showy – I still want to compete in hack classes and the Garryowen in 2023.
“So here we are today at our first open hack class and I know I face prejudice against his colour for these types of events but at my age, I don't think I have another off-the-track Thoroughbred in me.”
Turning heads in the other ring was Groneng Irene, a perfect example of a Fjord mare and not often seen in open classes at a horse show.
By the end of the day she was festooned in ribbons for her rider, Brenda Renison.
Well educated, with a beautiful rocking horse canter, she was also an interesting story. It was her first show.
“I got her from a lady in Queensland over a year ago,” Brenda said.
“She is eight years old. She was in foal when advertised but I didn't want the foal so she stayed with her owner until the foal was weaned. She was sold only because she suffered extreme Queensland itch so she came down a very green girl full of itch and a lot smaller all over.
“I let her get strong and with a slow work program and good feed schedule started her going. Since day one she has never let me down trying all the things I asked of her.
“She couldn't canter at that stage.
“With my brilliant coach Lisa Hyville and lots of work we have been getting her better and better, concentrating on her dressage and teaching her to jump.”