To keep you up to date with what is happening with this exciting addition to the Young Riders Showjumping calendar there were some details missing from the initial news of this event so we will now try to rectify this.
This Challenge is to encourage Australian Young Riders to constantly improve their skills and both Jan Heine and Annie Lever believe that the best way to do this is to expose our Young Riders to competition at the top International level - but for Australian riders distance is the problem and they do not get the opportunity to do this for many reasons - money being one of the main ones and contacts being another.
Both Jan and Annie realise that spending a couple of weeks in Ireland is not necessarily going to immediately improve a rider but what it will do is expose the rider to what the competition is like - a reality check that many Australian Senior riders have seen themselves - but now it is time for the Young Riders to experience this first hand and this is one way of doing it.
The interest in this Challenge series has been huge from riders throughout Australia and many have asked the same question "why do we have to compete in all four round"? The answer is simple - for the purpose of consistency - it is unfair that one rider might come in and win two rounds and then not turn up for the next two but win because no other rider was able to win two rounds.
It is important that the rider who wins this Challenge is a consistent rider who can "pull out the performances more than a couple of times" and hence the decision to make it compulsory to compete in all four rounds.
It is hoped that all riders understand that the tracks they will be jumping in Ireland will be quite unlike any they have jumped on home ground - the sheer technicality alone will cause some to wonder!
Australian Young Rider Squad member, Scottie Barclay has been based in Ireland throughout the 2003 season and he has certainly had his eyes opened - no longer does he think of a 1.20m track as having a couple of fences at that height - they are generally ALL at that height other than perhaps the first fence which might be a little more friendly. The tracks require "exact and precise riding" and so the way one walks a course takes on a whole new perspective as well.
Scottie Barclay has headed back to Australia for Christmas and the Summer and he will, I am sure, be more than happy to chat with any riders wanting to know details about jumping in Ireland so make sure you catch up with him - he will be at the first two rounds of this Challenge series.
All four rounds of the Challenge will be held at Treehaven Equestrian Club on the Mornington Peninsula where you will be greeted by a helpful and friendly crew and believe it or not you can even get a decent cup of coffee and a great meal in the beautiful Treehaven Coffee House which has a verandah overlooking the arena - could life get much better - we think not!
First
round is part of the Grand Prix Show on 21st - 23rd November, 2003
Second round is December 28th, 2003
Third round is 27-28th March, 2004- in conjunction with the Red Hill Show
Society - all jumping has been moved to Treehaven for this great event.
The Final will be held on 1st May, 2004 in conjunction with the festivities at Mornington Racecourse which will include showjumping on the Sunday.
All riders are welcome to enter each round but only riders who have competed in all four rounds will be eligible for the final reward of the airfare to Ireland with competition at the Kill International Equestrian Centre's premier show of the year.
As this was organised in such a short space of time - we understand that many have not got the news yet so pass it on to your mates - and know that this will become an annual event which will hopefully grow each year with perhaps one day a Team of Australian Young Riders being able to compete - but that is all in the future - and the future requires people who are proactive and want to make things happen - if you are one of these people then feel free to contact Jan Heine via email and offer your assistance either by way of fundraising, sponsorship or ideas - all offers gratefully accepted!
We will be posting results from each round plus photos so make sure you make us your homepage so you don't miss out on the latest news!
For email contact with please jumpingaround.com click here
For phone contact in Australia please phone: Annie Lever on 03- 59 776 008 and check out Treehaven's web site as well - you can download programs and entries for their huge number of shows and also get results from their shows.
