The State Equestrian Centre's grass surfaces were in
good form for WASJA's April one-day show held on the
13th of April, which served as a lead up for showjumpers
preparing for the following weekend's two-day Bunbury
Showjumping Challenge and for eventers readying their
horses for W.A.Y.E.R's Olga Reveler Memorial CIC at
Brookleigh.
The horses, too, showed form jumping over David Britza's
courses in the main arena. Making a welcome return to
designing after a year's absence from showjumping, David
showed that he'd lost none of his touch in creating flowing,
rideable courses that offered an encouragement at this early
part of WA's showjumping season. A second ring catered to
green horses and less experienced combinations.
Honest distances in the main ring resulted in a number of
clear and double clear rounds throughout most classes, and
encouraged riders to test their skills riding efficient lines in
order to achieve placings. This was certainly the case in the
1.05-1.10 Open, in which clear rounds exceeded placings
and a quick ride was the key factor in winning the class
for eventer Shenae Lowings on Balena Rhapsody, just
ahead of Rosie Oliver on Howzat. There were just three
double clear rounds in the 1.05-1.10m Open, but eventers
again took top honours in a large class, with experienced
eventer Katie McGlinn and Maestro's Daughter coming
first, followed by 2** eventers Lauren Brown and Dakota
Ultra Easy.
Once the heights went up, however, it was the showjumpers
who shone. Although these days warmbloods generally
dominate competition, top two placings in the 1.30m Open were both
thoroughbreds. Tam Waller and Volition were the only double clear
combination in the 1.30m Open, after a careful jump off in 59.25 that was
significantly slower than the 43.73 by Chelsea McInnes and Tommy Stilts
- who had a win in the bag until knocking down the very last fence on
course.
It was a closer challenge in the sizeable 1.25m Open when just two
seconds separated the winner local speed specialists Darren Taylor, riding
Barrabadeen Cougar for owner Ann Marie Frank, and
David Dobson, on board Pascale Young's Barrabadeen
Halifax. In the smaller 21 & Under 1.25m class, nearly
all combinations progressed to the jump off. Showing
stylish speed in her winning round on Freedom Road,
Hanna Fletcher finished five seconds ahead of Kate
Kiely's more conservative clear round on Feeling
Wise.
For WASJA, the strong entries were also a definite
win for the club, which will host numerous fixtures
throughout the 2013 jumping season.
WASJA organiser Karen McInnes and AEA Corland.
Below: Emma Isbister and Aspyration.
Above: Rebecca Donovan and Noblewood Park Conchetta.
Left: Heath Ahmat and Sweet As NZPH