Australian equestrianism took a massive blow in August 2007 when somehow Equine Influenza escaped the confines of the Australian Quarantine station in New South Wales. The effects have been ongoing and while the general non-horsey population assume that the drama is over because racing is back on track the reality is that the non-racing industry is still trying to come to terms with the total dessimation of their sport.

Businesses have and will continue to go to the wall and the various disciplines will lose many of the younger riders, who will turn to other sports because they cannot go to pony club or compete in Federation approved competitions due to the incredibly harsh restrictions placed on them by the various DPI's in each state.

Proof of this was seen this past weekend in Mount Gambier! The Junior and Young Rider festival, usually held at the Mount Gambier Velodrome attracts huge numbers of future superstars of showjumping.

Thanks to Mount Gambier's International Course Designer, John Wilsher a permit was obtained from the local DPI to hold a "cut down" version of this event - the permit allowed for just 150 horses to compete and the competition was moved to the Mount Gambier Showgrounds as they were more suited to following the required bio-security. The Mount Gambier Agricultural Society representative Kris Mitchell was a great help to John Wilsher by supplying the seating and ground care to ensure a good surface for the two arenas.

So a huge amount of work was put into the event which sadly saw a 30% drop in the numbers of entries, obviously with many perhaps feeling their horses weren't fit enough, and perhaps others not feeling confident enough to go to a show.

With temperatures reaching 38 degrees around 1pm, the jumping was called off during the worst of the heat and continued again in the early evening when everything was more conducive to riders, horses, course designers, judges and ring crew!

We all know that John Cleese is from the Ministry of Silly Walks but did we all know that John Wilsher was from the Ministry of Silly Hats?

John - pictured right - was telling us that his latest silly hat was brilliantly effective against the fly problem Australia seems to be suffering from this summer, but it is a problem when the wearer forgets to lift the net before trying to drink or eat!

John Wilsher is credited by those involved in showjumping in South Australia for getting the show happening and as well as being the organiser he also took on the task of Course Design but then went that one step further by donating his very fancy caravan for the secretary's office for the weekend - pictured below right

The Bio-Security - pictured above left - was enforced with a smile and plenty of laughter which was great to see - but one would have to ask the DPI what they think this will achieve in the containment of EI in all seriousness?! So I phoned the DPI to ask - was told someone would get back to me - still waiting.... so ok the very shallow metal tray was where the feet were sloshed and the bucket on the crate was for hand washing and after these two things were done you had to fill in name, address and phone number so that "if anything occured someone could contact you".

Well I will certainly be heading to the races to see whether I have to go through the same procedure - and if i don't then I want to know why?! Surely all this is a way of putting off the performance horse industry from running shows!

But back to the great show put on by the Mount Gambier Jump Club.....................

Fiona John, well know rider and coach was asked if she would commentate for the weekend and as always Fiona agreed to help out. As always Fiona - pictured right - did a fabulous job and when she needed a break her other half, Rodney stepped in and did an equally great job!

Fiona was also seen out on course walking with some of the Young Riders - pictured below - sharing her wisdom and experience.