After a very successful Young Rider weekend in Mount Gambier, South Australia last weekend, the showjumping moved to Warrnambool in the western district of Victoria. It was quite a shocking sight driving from Melbourne to Warrnambool and seeing the paddocks which showed no sign of feed at all - we have seen dry but this year there is simply no feed and those from the area who were lucky enough to be able to cut hay are saying that what they have cut will only take them through the summer and once the winter months come they will have no feed for their livestock. Many of the local dairy and beef farmers are suggesting they will be "out of business" by winter. With the metropolitan water becoming an issue perhaps the politicians will do something sooner rather than later.

Now having said all that - arrival at Warrnambool Racecourse showed us a superb amount of green! What a joy to see the racetrack and jumping arena (aka the Racecourse Members Lawn) so beautifully maintained and such a gorgeous shade of green. This is done, according to Racecourse Chairperson, Margaret Lucas, through a meticulous recycling programme which allows them to keep the water onto the course.

Friday evening was an evening set aside for training rounds - the horses got a chance to jump around the fences which included the sometimes disastrous water tray and to also get used to being so close to the race track, which many of the horses have raced on at some stage.

Saturdays jumping began with the Restricted D Grade for horses and there were 65 starters in this class with a massive 31 going through to the jump off on a morning which gave promise of a perfect day for showjumping - there was a gentle breeze, light fluffy clouds drifting lazily across the sky and a sun which had enough sting in it to burn the unsuspecting!

The first class for the show went to Ballarat's Damian Hanrahan and Grand Impressions - pictured below. South Australia's Adam Beckel took 2nd spot with his own Macbeth, by the World Cup showjumping stallion Wirragulla Hamlet.

Lisa McLennan and Many Roads were in 3rd place and 4th place went to former multiple Australian National Champion, Jamie Murray riding Allez Oop.

Tim Clarke took 5th place with his very talented 4 year old colt Belcam Catalyst and 6th went to Lindy Young on her stallion Pleasure Time. Maureen McGrath and In Flight took 7th spot with the last bow going to Laurie Lever, from Treehaven Equestrian Club on the Mornington Peninsula and Laurie was riding Ashleigh Drossell Dolly,

The next class was the Grade D class which again saw some 60+ entries and 17 went through to the jump off fighting for the 7 places on offer.

There was plenty of fun being had while course walk went on for the Grade D class.......................................

Leigh Shera-Jones has heard every tall joke in the book, and now he seems to just not hear them anymore! Leigh has been taller than most since he was a 12 year old but he never lost his love for showjumping which is a bonus for the sport because no doubt basketball called his name plenty of times, standing at well over 6'6". Leigh - pictured left with his shorter friend - has been sidelined after a broken wrist and arm.

So the Grade D class saw Maureen McGrath take out first place honours aboard Tough Times - nothing tough today though!

Second placing went to prolific winner and placegetter, Melissa Froesch from Broadford riding Glenarra Bollinger with Bianca Gilchrist taking 3rd spot with Spice Time.

Local girl Pip Rounds took 4th place with her own One of a Kind and Jamie Murray and Allez Oop took 5th place.

Another local, Deb McMaugh and High Heels Majestic took 6th place and Laurie Lever added another placing to his book taking 7th place with Belcam Chancellor.