Riddells Creek cements itself as an eventing destination

ABOVE: Lucy Robertson of Bullengarook Pony Club put in a mammoth effort for a young rider in grade five, placing eighth on Gem Park Sinatra (pictured) and sixth on Dalu Moondust. Picture: DEREK O’LEARY

RIDDELLS Creek in the Macedon Ranges of Victoria continues to be one of the most popular eventing destinations in the state for both pony club and open riders.

Two horse trials are held each year at the local pony club grounds, Candlebark – one run under pony club auspices at Easter and the other by Equestrian Victoria in November.

The Easter horse trials attracted just under 200 combinations, with some pony club families travelling from as far away as Myrtleford, Wangaratta and Howlong in north-east Victoria and Horsham in the Wimmera to compete.

Events at Candlebark have been held for so long – the Riddells Creek Pony Club itself celebrated its 60^th birthday in 2023 – that they are becoming intergenerational.

It is not uncommon to now see some of the mums or dads who had previously competed at this event supporting their youngsters, as well as siblings from eventing families riding in different sections, or riding against each other.

Sisters Emma and Lucy Roberston, representing Bullengarook Pony Club, both competed in the pony club grade five, with Emma winning on Wyann Touch of Class with a remarkable dressage score of 96.4 followed up by faultless jumping rounds, while Lucy rode two horses, Dalu Moondust placing sixth and Gem Park Sinatra placing eighth.

Their mum, Tracey, also events, but on this occasion, with three horses competing, was the ground crew for the girls.

ABOVE: Grade five winner Emma Robertson and Wyann Touch of Class. Picture: DEREK O’LEARY

ABOVE: Frankie Murphy and BC Finigas of Langwarrin Pony Club showing the style that helped win the pony club grade three section. Picture: DEREK O’LEARY

ABOVE: Mia Harriss and Another Coldie were first in the PCV 110. Picture: DEREK O’LEARY

ABOVE: Lacy Solimo and Park Avenue William from Wangaratta Pony Club finished third in the pony club grade two section. Picture: DEREK O’LEARY

Darcy Macaulay was won of 24 riders representing Riddells Creek and flew the home flag for the club winning the pony club grade one section on Parklands Time Traveler.

The open grade one went to Georgina Birrell on GE Monaco, who led from start to finish.

Another Riddells Creek Pony Club member Michelle Woodcroft on Bobby B Dazzled and open rider Annabel Nelson on Kenlock Superjazz both finished on their dressage scores to win in the grade two sections.

Frankie Murphy made the trip up from the Langwarrin Pony Club to win the grade three pony club section with BC Finigas and Regina Knobel riding Hillview Park Standing Ovation took the open.

Chloe Quay riding Ness and Rosalie Needham with KA Blue Parker fought out the closest finish of the event in division A of the pony club grade four section, with Chloe’s 28.4 penalties just a fraction lower than Rosalie’s 28.7.

In division B, Zara Stumpo on Salient Quickstep from Shepparton Pony Club was five points clear of Florence White and Kipper from Toongabbie and District Pony Club.

Tracey Button and Prairie Star had one of the best scores of the competition to win the open grade four.

ABOVE: Finishing with just 10.9 total penalties, Tracey Button and Prairie Star led from the dressage to win the open grade four. Picture: DEREK O’LEARY

ABOVE: Nick Ednie and Lansdowne Crusader competing in the open grade three. Picture: DEREK O’LEARY

ABOVE: J'Aime Mallon and Double You Tee placed third in the grade two open.  Picture: DEREK O’LEARY

ABOVE: Samantha Christian and Potentate placed fourth in the open grade three. Picture: DEREK O’LEARY

Emma Robertson’s win in grade five and Woodlands Pony Club’s Isabella Musone win in grade six on Daisy completed the really fun end of the program, with almost all of the tiny riders competing the course.

Mia Harriss and Another Coldie won the open PCV 110 and the combined training class went to Remy Foxwell and Midgie from Yarrambat Pony Club.

There were 45 former racehorses eligible for off-the-track Thoroughbred award, with the win going to Regina Knobel’s Hillview Park Standing Ovation followed by Tracey Button’s Prairie Star, Michelle Woodcroft’s Bobby B Dazzled and Mia Harriss’ Another Coldie.

The event also hosted the Pony Club Victoria Central Zone interclub horse trials. Riddells Creek Pony Club placed first, Gisborne Pony Club second and Woodlands Pony Club third.

Darcy Macaulay and Parklands Time Traveler took home two special trophies – the Mathew Slade Memorial Trophy for the winner of the highest pony club grade and the BK Blackjack Trophy for the winner of the pony club grade one class.

Equestrian Victoria's Candlebark Horse Trials will be held on November 7.

ABOVE: Zoe Roberts and Baraka Ayra competing in the grade four open section. Picture: DEREK O’LEARY

ABOVE: Jordan Sharp and Caradoc Ego Z of Seville Pony Club placed second in the pony club grade two section. Picture: DEREK O’LEARY

ABOVE: Tana Males on Yarrawonga were sixth in the open grade three. Picture: DEREK O’LEARY

ABOVE: Stylish combination Meg Rac and WMC Grande Addition on their way to fourth in the open grade two. Picture: DEREK O’LEARY

Placegetters

Off-the-track Award

Combined Training

Full results

View and purchase DEREK O’LEARY images from this event

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