Tasmanian event riders take trip of a lifetime
A KEEN group of Tasmanians has travelled to the mainland to complete an eventing circuit around Victoria to qualify both riders and their horses for Melbourne International 3DE.
The trip was necessary because there have been no CNC2-star events in Tasmania for the past few years.
Three members of the group got through all three phases successfully at Melbourne, with Chloe Daun at just 14 years of age placing sixth in the CCIJ2-star on PEC Barindale Grandeur.
She was followed by 16-year-old Kenny Walch and Eliva Corduroy in ninth place. Jessica Cowan, 24, and Beautiful Trauma came in 24th in the CCI 2-star.
To be able to enter the Melbourne 3DE, the riders – which also included Harry Furzer and Petra Schuecker , both 18 – had to compete in three CNC two-star events with two completely clear cross country results.
The junior riders had to get exemption to compete at that level and had to have completed five CNC one-star events as a minimum.
A special CNC 1-star was run by the Tasmanian Eventing Association at the state eventing championships to get the riders on their way with their first “minimum eligibility requirement” before setting off on their trip in April.
Team supporter Tania Hay said the riders were spread out across a large area of Victoria while they were there.
“As it was such a long time away, riders and horses based themselves at different venues,” she said.
“Jess, Harry, Petra and Kenny based themselves at Yarra Valley Eventing on one side of Melbourne and Chloe moved around to stay with friends and then also worked for her horses’ agistment at Foxleigh Euroa.
“It was fun for them to catch up each weekend and experience the events together, with a swear board organised and going out for great pub meals.”
Tania said there were many highlights and some great unexpected results.
“Our riders making the top 10 and even getting rosettes with 36-52 riders in a field at a lot of the events was a real eye opener and a great experience to be able to mix it and ride against some high-level well-known eventers,” she said.
“Unfortunately, there were also some lows with riders missing a jump and falling off, which really worked on riders' resilience.
“It was an amazing experience for them, with lots of challenging work and all riders (and parents) sure learned a lot along the way.
“We now have five established CNC2-star riders in Tasmania, so exciting times ahead!”
With numbers in CNC1-star and Grade 1 Pony Club having grown to 20 in Tasmania, there are hopes that work will be completed at two venues – one in the south and one in the north of the state – for a CNC2-star division to be run next season.
Results from all events the Tasmanians attended:
Heytsbury Horse Trials
CNC 2-star
4th - Chloe Daun and PEC Barindale Grandeur
13th - Petra Schuecker and ESB Golden Officer
15th - Kenny Walch and Eliva Corduroy
18th - Jessica Cowan and Beautiful Trauma
22nd - Harry Furzer and QWilliam
Eva 95
11th - Chloe Daun and PEC D Day Diesel
Marcus Oldham Ballarat International Horse Trials
CCI 2-star
11th - Chloe Daun and PEC Barindale Grandeur
13th - Petra Schuecker and ESB Golden Officer
16th - Kenny Walch and Eliva Corduroy
17th - Harry Furzer and QWilliam
42nd - Jessica Cowan and Beautiful Trauma
Eva 95
9th - Chloe Daun and PEC D Day Diesel
Albury CCN Horse Trials
CCN 2 Star
9th - Chloe Daun and PEC Barindale Grandeur
18th - Kenny Walch and Eliva Corduroy
21st - Jessica Cowan and Beautiful Trauma
Eva 95
4th - Chloe Daun and PEC D Day Diesel
Friends of Woady Horse Trials
CCN 2-star
15th - Kenny Walch and Eliva Corduroy
17th - Jessica Cowan and Beautiful Trauma
CNC 1-star
8th - Chloe Daun and PEC D Day Diesel
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