Bunbury SJ Challenge words and photos by Suzanne McGill riders to work off both reins. David Dobson encouragement at the lower levels. Those who Bunbury’s annual Showjumping Classic placed in the one-round 80cm Open did so has long been a key fixture on WA’s early gave Pascale Young’s Barrabadeen Halifax with clear rounds, Alison Hanson and Reggie, showjumping calendar, traditionally drawing a textbook ride with a double clear win winning just ahead of Bronwyn Ireland and competitors from the Perth metro area in Saturday’s 1.20m class, beating speed Bay Supreme. The 80cm ‘Go for 2 & 5’ specialists Darren Taylor and Barrabadeen and southwest WA. This year’s organisers Young Masters class (245.3/238.2.2) included were overwhelmed with the response to its Cougar by two seconds. With two other horses a jump off. Captained by junior rider Grace program, which offered 80cm to 1.30m+ competing and jumping clear in the subsequent Fuchsbichler, stalwart pony Roc On proved Open and Horse of the Year Qualifier classes. 1.30m Bunbury Freight Services Cup, David unbeatable. might have repeated that double, but he Renamed ‘Bunbury Showjumping Challenge’, opted not to jump them off. That opened the The 95cm Open class (238.2.1) was ‘owned’ sizeable entries presented a challenge to winner’s door for recently-returned Maddison by another top junior rider; Heath Ahmat and organisers, who deftly reorganised classes to Stephen and Barrabadeen Sir Lancelot to pony Serene Dream had 10 seconds up on accommodate the number of riders wanting show off experience gained during several their closest competitor in this sizeable class. to jump at this popular country show. Several years competing in the Eastern States. In both classes, junior rider Helen Tremlett classes on Saturday had to be run as single and Woodbrook Royal Mail were bridesmaids, round competitions against the clock under A multiple winner on the weekend, Maddison finishing second. Table C, article 238.2.1. on all three of her horses showed she’ll be a force to be reckoned with this year, after going The 1.05-1.10m Open track also proved “A terrific amount of work has gone into encouraging, with nearly half the starters on to win both Country Novice Championships producing this impressive event,” said FEI EWA Jumping Qualifiers – the first for judge Judith Odgaard, who judged both horses with six points and under on her days of the show and complimented brilliant young horse Aveden Indigo and the efforts of new event organiser, the second, for horses with less than 20 showjumper Thea Rintoul. “I think the points on the very impressive Yalambi’s lovely turf held up very well throughout Cambridge. the entire weekend and we were lucky to have mostly dry weather at this time of Sunday’s classes were largely unaffected the year, with only intermittent showers by the overnight showers that dampened on Sunday morning.” the ground and the small bursts of rain during competition. Katherine Joyce While there seemed to be a somewhat and Joshua Brooke Panache jumped off higher than normal number of falls (most clear into first place five seconds ahead in the lower classes and none resulting of any other competitors. The winning in significant injuries), the beautifully margins was smaller in the Go for 2 & prepared grass surface appeared to be guilt-free of footing issues. Despite 5 Young Masters 1.00m Qualifier, but drizzling weather on the second day, it represented the third first place of the the number of falls was equally divided weekend for Heath Ahmat, riding Serene between Saturday and Sunday. Dream – and he received the trophy for The good footings and large arena area Horse of the Year Qualifier winner Chelsea McInness and EWA's Hi Points Junior Rider at the event. was certainly appreciated by course Kevin Gianatti. A second 1.20m class on Sunday gave designer Fred Freeman, who has been David Dobson his second win at that an integral part of the show for many level on Barrabadeen Halifax, a former years. “The horses rode consistently EWA Horse of the Year in 2011. He on the surface and the size allowed nearly made it a triple on the mare in me to include up to 12 obstacles. The the Horseland Jumping WA Horse of the warm up area took a bit of wear, but the Year class, but was pipped at the post by jumping arena itself showed very little,” .02 after an outstanding ride by Chelsea remarked Fred, who added that he was McInnes and her imported Belgian mare, happy with the ratio of clear rounds to Camina II. Chelsea now has two Horse of starters. “For this early in the season, the Year wins notched on her belt, having I thought the horses went extremely previously won the class on Tommy well and there was a high standard of Stilts at the earlier Albany show. jumping, which bodes well for the rest Several riders produced consistent of the season.” performances over the weekend, so Running a span of heights encouraged determining the Overall Hi Points Rider local rider participation. “Obviously, came down to the final class. David our aim is to preserve the integrity of Dobson’s consistent top placings on this prestigious show by providing multiple horses through the weekend put competition opportunities for our most his name at the top of the leaderboard, competitive horses, but it’s equally largely due to the wonderful performances Chadd Donovan and Chicago. important to get the participation and he shared on 2013 Bunbury Hi Points support of the local community at a jumping off for a place. With a second to spare, Leon Carroll Horse, Barrabadeen Halifax. The Hi regional show,” commented Fred. Less and thoroughbred gelding Kunarra Park Rascal, squeaked Points Thoroughbred trophy had to be experienced combinations and green past Rebecca Donovan, on her pint-sized warmblood mare, shared by Nicole Zilco’s Charleston and horses enjoyed participating in the A and Noblewood Park Conchetta. Once again, the Young Masters Springfield Cesarina, ridden by Emma B sections of the 80cm, 1m and 1.05- section of this height jumped off for final placings – and Truss. These honorary awards are 1.10m classes, which included both again, Heath Ahmat was unassailable, achieving one of only coveted by riders, who return to Bunbury Open and restricted Healthway Go for 2 two double clears in the class on his new warmblood, Sweet hoping to win them each year. & 5 Young Masters series qualifiers (for As NZPH. riders 21 & under). As the heights continued to rise, the ratio of clear first rounds Background image: Emma Truss and Fred’s early courses on Saturday offered diminished. Curving lines and turns increasingly challenged Springfield Caesarina. WA SHOW SCENE June/July 2013 - Page 20