Around 60 people attended a great night at Les and Jo Bunnings on Friday 20th of February The weather was kind and a spit roast is always a good enticement to attend these occassions. The feedback I have had from those that attended has been really positive and everyone enjoyed the comeraderie of the evening and in particular enjoyed the presentation of the more humerous awards. A big thanks to Robynne McTaggart for allowing us to use her spit and Barrabadeen stud for the donation of lamb that was cooked on the spit as well as the chops and sausages for the BBQ.

After enjoying dinner and dragging M’Liss Henry, seen below, away from the dance floor with the tiny boppers, Showjumping WA Chair, John Torrens presented the major awards for the year and congratulations goes to the following:

The George Hall Perpetual Trophy for leading rider 17 years and under that gains the most grading points on any horses was introduced and presented by Judith Odgaard-Baker and was awarded to Anna McGregor. This is the second year in a row that Anna has won this award and she is certainly a formidable rider in the Junior/Your Rider ranks and we can look forward to Anna putting up a strong showing again in 2004.

Pictured Below Right: Judith and Anna

The Eric Marsden Perpetual Trophy for rider 18 years and over that gains the most grading points on any horses, was introduced by Fred Freeman who spoke about the aims and achievements of Eric Marsden and then presented this award to Nellanadra Henry. It was interesting to note that in the time the trophy has been presented it has been won by either David Dobson or Kellie-Ann Crowe on all but two occasions, once where it was won by Les Bunning and now by Nell. (above left: Anna and Nell)

The Chairman’s Award which is an award for a person that the Chairman deems deserves special recognition and this year John presented this award of a lovely bottle of white wine (her favourite) to a lady who although she knew very little about being a treasurer has taken over the SJ WA books and her enthusiasm and willingness to learn the task truly deserves to be awarded – Debbie Pugh. Of course anyone who is willing to look into and try to sought out the accounts of the EFA deserves an award!

Special Recognition and a gift was then presented to our most busy course designer Fred Freeman for his continuing invaluable contribution to our sport. When Fred’s name was called the noise from the crowd was fantastic so I hope Fred you understand how much we appreciate your contribution to Showjumping in WA.

We then moved on to the not so serious awards and boy it was difficult to think up awards that could top last years presentation to Judith Odgaard-Baker for the Personality of the Year. If you will remember we gave Judith a jar of honey to sweeten her up, a book of the history of World Politics from 1900 to 1945 etc etc. Judith was a great sport about it and gave everyone a great laugh. The task to again produce this entertainment seemed insurmountable but we managed it and the recipients received their awards with great grace and good humour.

Best Stack(Fall) - went to Les Bunning, pictured left with Jo, at the Royal. For designing to have a fall in front of the biggest crowd for the biggest impact. For his efforts Les received stack of pikelets and a jar of maple syrup.

Best Turned Out - Wendy Criddle and Carol Warrick tied for this award for being able to stay impecibly clean from 7.00 in the morning until dusk at a show without a change of clothes. Most riders show amazement that these two riders can manage to do this. Wendy was present and we gave her a can of spray glitter to add to her beauty case for the next show outing.

The Best attempt to get into Wings or otherwise known as the Attention Seeking Award - went to a person who went to the great trouble of compound fracturing her leg at Smithbrook just to get a mention in Wings! We presented Pippa Page with a travelling First Aid Kit for the next time!

The Hyacinth Bouquet (Bucket) Award - was presented in recognition of the official that keeps us all in line and we dare not dissobey her orders. For any of you who have seen the BBC series I think you will agree that this person fits the bill. This went to none other than Pam Page who graciously accepted her bucket, English china tea set and a packet of rollers for her hair.

Sorry Pam but I had to put the picture in! (Below left)

The last and probably a more serious award was The Nike Award. This was presented in recognition of someone who lives up to the Nike motto “Just Do It”, and for showjumping in the past 12 months there has been someone working behind the scenes in just this manner. She has helped to get the World Cups here,set up our website, ran the innovative Summer Series,and is the major driving force behind the EquineXpo and associated events , etc etc etc and above all this has volunteered to sit in the CEO position at the EFA until a replacement can be found. This lady works just about 7 days a week for Showjumping and the EFA and her workload is amazing. I am speaking of Robynne McTaggart who unfortunatley coudln’t attend the Awards night but we will make a presentation to her at the next show of a nike shirt with our Jump WA logo on it.

Thanks to Les and Jo for allowing us to take over their place and feed your dogs and cats for the next week on the left over lamb bones and chops. Overall it was a thoroughly enjoyable evening which we hope those of you who didn’t attend this year can join us next year.

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