In a third round of this Challenge which saw some changes and challenges to the Leaderboard we are set for a very exciting Final which will be held at Treehaven Equestrian Club on Sunday April 18th, 2004 where there is also a great program of events for your younger horses with classes from 90cm through to 1.25m. Make sure to check out Treehaven's web site for their calendar and online programs.

As you can see from the Leaderboard below, in this first year of running this Challenge we have 6 Riders in contention for the final great prize of thr trip to Ireland and no doubt next year this will be a very different situation with South Australia. Western Australia, Queensland and New South Wales coming on board.

The 2004 winner could come from anywhere at this stage with Phil Lever holding his lead from Tracey Shedodn by a tenuous 4 points and Emily Harman is on 5 behind him so the pressure will certainly be on Phil at the final and the two girls have "nothing to lose" so no doubt they will be pulling out all stops.

Remember that the format changes slightly for the 2005 Challenge with there being 3 rounds in each State and the top 10 from each State are then eligible for the Final which will consist of three competitions, a Speed Class, a Table A and a Two Round Championship with a jump off, if required.

Please note: In the above Leaderboard table the riders with a * beside their total are not eligible for the final as they have not started in all rounds of the competition. In the case of Tim Wilson and David Lever this was because they turned 21 and were no longer eligible and we thank them for their support of this innovative event.

This total points in bold are the riders eligible for the Final Round.

The following is a report on the class from Annie Lever and we thankyou Annie for this comprehensive coverage of what was obviously a great event.

Round Three saw 33 starters for very exciting comp over tough track built by David Sheppard, with assiatnce from Laurie Lever who was advising on what the requirements were for this Challenge.
In Round 1 riders faced challenges such as a vertical then one stride to an oxer then five stride dog
leg to a Water tray under a vertical. The course included a brick wall at a good 1.20m and another two stride double oxer to a vertical. The track was good and inviting and fairly forward - keep rolling to everything.

Nine combinations went through to jump off which included 7 fences. Fence 1 was number 11, an
oxer to fence 2 sweeping left handed corner to a good 1.30m vertical, a "pretend" brickwall with tunnels the a left handed tight turn to an oxer with planks underneath and then right handed corner onto the double which was a vertical to an oxer one stride. Then down to water tray which caught a few people out, as ran down to it a bit much and got a bit deep. Right handed corner to a vertical yellow and blue brightly painted fence then 5/6 strides to a big oxer with a box water tray underneath.

Dion Nassibian on Sportsman Park Johnny jumped clear 1st in jump of - slow and steady but a fantastically improved combination. Cassie White next out, jumped a smashing clear round and very fast with one down - beautifully ridden. Michael Webster on Hum De La rode an excellent 1st round and was unlucky to roll two fences in the jump off - great for a horse new to D grade last year and are looking a great combination.

Kate Brideoake riding the excellent World Cup horse, formally ridden by her father David, Zaphod have really come to the fore over the last few months and she rode a great clear 1st round and a ripper jump off with one down - not bad for a young rider just 15 years old. James Richards had a refusal which gave him 4 penalties and 6 time faults. Angela Classey had two down in the jump off as did Hayden Kneebone riding Xena who went very fast and kept tight over the track.
Phil was last out on Offshore and 4 seconds ahead coming to the last fence and thought of the long stride and then changed his mind to roll the rail at the last running 4th - no doubt a "lesson learned" from that change of heart!

Tracey Sheddan rode a lovely clear and controlled round on ESB Irish Blarney to win the class.

Thanks to Annie Lever for the above report.