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The only ‘little’ thing about the ‘Little Brigadoon’ ODE held on 6-7th of April was the size of a few ponies competing in this first-time event, which drew 176 starters to the Swan Valley Pony Club and Brigadoon cross country course. “We wanted to give back something significant to the sport we love,” said Event Coordinator, 21 year old 2* rider Felicity Hegarty, who spearheaded the idea for Little Brigadoon by forming a committee of young eventing riders to refresh the sport and create more competition opportunities, particularly for less experienced combinations. “Instead of running a traditional ODE, we decided to focus only on the introductory grades and make a special event, since they usually get overshadowed by the more experienced levels.” This included running all of the dressage tests in traditional 20m x
Little Brigadoon ODE
with experienced event organisers Sue Warren, Karen Wood, Kerry Robbins, Mark Warren, Phoebe Johnson, course designer Tom Campignoni, Dave Permezel and scorer Pauline Dunham thanked at presentations for their guidance and help before, during and after the event. Competitors were ecstatic about the relaxed environment and scheduling, classes running on time or even ahead of time. Considering the number of green and/or first-time competitors, this was a triumph in and of itself. Amongst the first-timers was Senior Intro 2 (B) winner Caitlin White and her New Zealand-bred Thoroughbred gelding Scott Free. Running second after dressage, they finished clear of jumping penalties to snare first place by just 0.6
by Suzanne McGill
60m arenas, rather than holding lower grade eventing dressage in minimised 20m x 40m arenas, as has been done for the past few years. The ‘special’ formula obviously worked. “We didn’t know what kind of response we’d get,” said Felicity, “and were thrilled to have such strong entries from just the Intro 1 and Intro 2 levels.” Little Brigadoon also took on the High Schools eventing competition formerly run at Wooroloo 1 each year. “Everyone on the committee has been an eventing competitor; but, when you ride for a few minutes, you don’t consciously think about anything else,” added committee member Makayla Wood, one of WA’s best performed FEI-level young event riders. “Experiencing an event as an organiser was a real eye-opener. We’ve got a whole new appreciation for what goes on behind the scenes to get things off the ground – especially for the effort put in by some parents, who have tirelessly organised events for years.” Dealing with event administration was sailing into unknown territory for most of the young committee, who had to contend with everything from EWA affiliation, insurance and dealing with the process of entries to the functional aspects of organising officials, setting up and decorating showjumping and cross country courses, producing cross country maps and catering. Regardless of bumps along the way, there was remarkably smooth sailing on the weekend of the event, with riders benefitting from the unusual maturity of this budding committee. “Everyone had a specific responsibility,” said Felicity, the overall event director. “Makayla Wood was event secretary, Michaela Martindale handled showjumping, Kate Klemm coordinated dressage, Tegan Lush coordinated the cross country course, Liz Moore handled sponsorship and prizes, Carly Robbins was the meeting secretary, Bec Williams was treasurer and Sarah Hickson helped with everything. Andrew Smit was our (luckily under-used) crisis manager.” Having a few old hands on board helped, too, WA SHOW SCENE June/July 2013 - Page 4
Above: Sophie Warren and Dance Hall Diva won the EvA80 (B). Left: Klara Bennington and Zia Park All Ablaze won the EvA80 (A) section. Photos by Darren Dawes of Redfoto Photography.
from Kelly Stanton riding Judaroo Holbrook. “The horse before us had slowed to a walk in front of us before the apex at fence 11,” said Caitlin, “so I circled to let them get out of the way, and ended up with 12.5 time penalties – so it was great to still win, because we were otherwise clear.” In EvJ65, the winners Kaitlyn Dekoning and Trapalanda and second-placed Clare Degroot on Moomba Ziaza 6, both finished on their dressage scores. In EvA65 (A), Melanie Norman placed first on Martilla Mosi-OTunya in 52.5, with Joanne Madaffari on Just a Fling second in 56.3. Inexperienced combinations were joined in podium positions by experienced competitors on green horses. In the EvA80 (B), WA State Eventing Squad rider Sophie Warren and youngster Dance Hall Diva came first on 40.2, with an unusual tie, on 41.4, for second between Sarah Hickson on Leedale Tyson and Michelle Meylan on Placerville. EvA80 (A) was won by Klara Bennington on Zia Park All Ablaze, with Georgia Moore on Mocha finishing second. Scores were also close in the junior division, with EvJ80 winners Jennifer
Williamson and Almost Legal on 46 and second-placed Clare Young and Wayanda Elate on 46.8. However, results were crystal clear in EvA80 (C) after experienced rider Michaela Martindale and Kinnordy Rhani scored an outstanding dressage of 33.6 and won first place honours two times – as the highest dressage score of the entire event and winners of the class. Cheryl Wise and Deepfield Sundance Kid finished second on a very creditable 50.4. Traditionally held at Wooroloo, the annual High Schools eventing (EvA80) competition was showcased this year at Little Brigadoon. Individually, just six points separated the scores amongst the top four riders, with the top five finishing on their dressage scores. Sally Ellis’s excellent 40.8 on Westbury Park Montego placed her first above Kaitlin Dekoning and Solly on 45.6, while the Overall School winner was the team from Perth College. As competitors gathered together for presentations, Makayla Wood remarked that, “The best result from the event is that we’re all still friends and can still laugh together.” Their cooperation, communication, ability to take advice and willingness to share the work load should be a role model for all club committees of any discipline.
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