Round 2 of the jumpingaround.com AMMO Shootout saw incredible heat for the riders and horses which always makes things "testy" to say the least but all riders did a fabulous job over the very testing track built by Warren Priestly who again took on the difficult job of building the courses for the New South Wales leg of the Young Rider Challenge which will see the overall winner take out the prize of a trip to Ireland for training and competition on a borrowed horse.

Jenny Priestly took on the task of Judging in temperatures of 35 degrees plus during a week on extreme heat in New South Wales.

Thanks must again go to the wonderful supporters of the New South Wales series - First National Real Estate in Berry and Corrina Chambers Dental Clinic in Canberra as well as Ammo Shootout wormers who have donated 100 wormers to each state for the series.

Simon Kale was heard to announce at presentation that he did not want to hear of "any of the horses in the Challenge carrying worms as thanks to the generosity of Naturevet and their worming product Ammo, all competitors in the lineup were taking home enough wormers to ensure their horses are worm free for some time to come!"

Thanks also again to Simon and Olwyn Kale from Foxground Training Stables for taking on the arduous task of running this series in New South Wales and also for their generous donation of cash towards the petrol for the winning rider towards there trip to Victoria for the Final in April.

Riders and parents please remember that to be eligible for the Final in Victoria riders MUST HAVE COMPETED IN ALL THREE STATE ROUNDS - you may enter individual rounds throughout the series but must compete in ALL 3 rounds to be eligible to compete at the Final.

The above series points table does not look correct we know - but the results were a photo finish of round one and so they are correct but with Round three coming up on January 26th anythng can still happen as there is not much between 1st and 4th with Julia Hargreaves still "in the race" as they say.

Our thanks to Simon Kale for the following description of the course and the Young Rider Challenge round:

By now the thermometer had reached 35 degrees. Warren Priestley was the course builder and his wife Jenny the Judge. Warren built an impressive track well up to height and technically very difficult. While talking to him he explained that he felt it necessary to prepare the competitors for the tracks that they would be faced with at the finals and that each round would get technically more demanding.

Jump one was the only fence below 1.20 and it was an oxer over a picket fence. Sharp right turn to fence 2 an oxer1.20 by 1.30 followed by a forward 5 or holding 6 strides to the Berry First National Planks fence 3. A right turn back to Corrina Chambers Dental Surgery oxer (fence 4) over wall planks. This was followed by an angled line of 6 strides to 5A an oxer with wall and one stride to 5B a vertical over wall planks. Left turn to an impressive triple bar fence 6.Left turn to fence 7 1.20m rails over the water immediately followed by 7 strides on a steep curved line to a stile oxer fence 8. Right turn to an impressive treble of red rails (fence 9A) Oxer in to 2 (fences 9B and 9C) vertical of one stride distance. Then on a straight line of 4 strides to fence 10 an oxer with dazzle boards also in red. Right turn to fence 11 another oxer with dazzles then a left turn to the Sydney Olympic wave fence 12 at 1.20. All oxers bar fence one were square at 1.20 by 1.30. A very impressive and well built track.

Julia Hargreaves on Rivoli Panther had 4 at the stile and four at fence 11

Aaron Hadlow on Step Sister had 4 at fence 2

Hilary Scott on Jar Jar Binks had 4 at fence 10.

Gemma Coleman on Emmaville Design CLEAR

Brooke Campbell on Jive Talkin CLEAR

Mitch Dansey on Public Affair having his first start in the Shootout 4 at stile jump 8 and 4 at 9C

Gemma Coleman on her second ride Ruperts Little Brother 4at fence 2 4 at fence 8 the stile and 4 at 9B

Two in to the jump off

Gemma Coleman 8 faults

Brooke Campbell 4 faults for a second win in a row.

I would like to make Special mention of Judy Sweeney the very hard working secretary. and thank her for everything she does - thanks Judy

Great that Shoalhaven Jump Club also put on other classes for the day and especially nice to see Chris Hardwicke of Corrina Chambers Dental Clinic in the lineup for the 90cm.

Following are the results from the classes run through the day:

Left: Aaron Hadlow and Step Sister - using this as a good run prior to the Youth Olympics where Aaron is a Showjumping Team Member.

Below: Hilary Scott and Beaufort Bolero who looks very neat and tidy over this fence.

Pictured above left: Gemma Coleman and Emmaville Design

Above centre: S. Miero heads over the First National Berry fence showing a strong back end - yes the horses back end - with a front end which looks very tight!

Above right: Gemma Coleman and Ruperts Little Brother - yes there is obviously a story to this horses name!

Presentation (pictured above) was a hot affair complete with the great Aussie flies and thanks go to the riders who arrived at presentation with smiles on their faces - to those who perhaps do not realise the "etiquette" of showjumping - turning up at presentation is a mark of respect to those who sponsor the classes, build the tracks and judge the riders to name just a few of those who appreciate seeing the riders at presentation so please always ensure that you do turn up and bring your best smile with you regardless of the place you are in the lineup!

Pictured above we see Brooke Campbell and Gemma Coleman being presented by Judge Jenny Priestley.

The third and final round of the New South Series will be held at Shoalhaven Jump Club on Wednesday, 26th January, 2005 and jumpingaround.com look forward to meeting as many of you as possible then!