Regular readers of jumpingaround.com will know that our Editor is somewhat passionate about showjumping and in particular, Australian showjumping - and it was out of this passion that the Young Rider Challenge became a reality, starting in its first year in Victoria with Treehaven Equestrian Club, and expanding in 2005 incorporate New South Wales, thanks to Simon Kale and Foxground Training Stables, South Australia, thanks to Alex Wright, Western Australia thanks to EFAWA and Queensland thanks to Belcam making it a National competition.
It was great to welcome riders from Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales for the Final which was held on the 9th and 10th April, at Treehaven Equestrian Club where the Final was sponsored by AMMO All Wormer Paste, who after so generously providing product to all States then also provided the prize money for the final three classes of the series.
Victoria put on some interesting weather to welcome our interstate visitors, with Saturday being very warm, with a northerly blowing making conditions a little difficult and Sunday threatened storms but we watched them circle around Treehaven, only dumping a very short rain cloud over us, which did not really interrupt the jumping at all!
The riders enjoyed the ambience of the Treehaven Cafe's verandah (pictured left), where they enjoyed great meals all weekend and it was great to see the support these talented and dedicated riders get from their families - and in some cases these Young Riders are a second and third generation of top level competitors.
The weekend saw the youngest of our competitiors in Victoria, 16 year old Kate Brideoake and she was riding the 20 year old, ex World Cup horse ridden to
many great victories by dad, David Brideoake, who is now one of Victoria's most successful racehorse trainers, proving there is life after showjumping after all!
Another young lady who is following in her dad's successful footsteps is Emily Harman who has done this second series on the wonderful and very handsome, 17 year old grey gelding Thorough Going, ridden at top level by Richard Harman.
Katrina by clicking here.
The 2006 series will be run slightly differently but we will bring you news of this in a couple of months when things are finalised.
We are still looking for more sponsors to come on board this series which promotes showjumping by assisting the future of the sport - the Young Riders so if your company is looking for somewhere to spend your promotional dollars please contact Katrina to discuss.
The all important course walk saw riders walking together and some of those lucky ones with ex World Cup Showjumping fathers who were able to give them clues about jumping the excellent tracks all weekend built by Laurie Lever, who having been based in England for some years in the 80's has a good understanding of what the eventual winner will need to be capable of jumping when they compete in Ireland as their reward.
Below: Richard is demonstrating his point to Emily!
The Irish connection seems to follow us around - and at Treehaven on Sunday, Rosemary from Co.Meath (pictured right) was driving past with friends and stopped in for lunch - but as soon as Rosemary saw the jumping show going on, she sent her friends on their way to Sorrento while she stayed and enjoyed the jumping.
Although Rosemary's interest is clearly in the racing industry, she thoroughly enjoyed the jumping and chatted to plenty there on the day.
