While Ireland, the UK and much of Europe are enjoying a mild lead up to Christmas with sunny skies making the occasional appearance, Australia is praying for the gift of rain on Christmas day - this would be a gift which might ease the pain of bushfires which are currently destroying land, homes and lives throughout Victoria and into South Australia.

As we arrived at Treehaven on Saturday for the jumping the background was a constant fire haze with the smell of fires invading the day and fires and water conservation being the main topic of conversation throughout the weekend.

But the fires did not stop the numbers arriving at Treehaven with 60+ competing in the D Grade class on Saturday and the C&D Class saw 59 starters and included an award for best placed Junior Rider.

Gavin Chester - pictured below right - swapped his jodhpurs for his Course Designers hat this weekend and built tracks which certainly asked questions which many of the combinations simply could not answer. When we chatted with Gavin he was quite firm in his belief that riders needed to get their horses more rideable between the fences for the sport to improve because if horses were not rideable between the fences then they would not be likely to be rideable over the fences. Gavin's tracks were built with most fences at the maximum listed height.

It was great to hear the dulcet tones of the best of Aussie commentators, Brian Brennan - pictured right - whose commentary we missed at Shepparton, where he has apparently been replaced!

Brian's commentary is always entertaining, accurate and full of enthusiasm which makes for fun jump offs in particular!

It is this type of exciting commentary which makes the sport more appealing to those not directly involved in showjumping.

The atmosphere at Treehaven is always great, with the Cafe being the focal point of social activities - the decking is so cleverly roofed that even on a hot and windy day it is pleasant to sit at the tables outside and view the main arena while enjoying the great food and wines prepared by the Cafe staff.

Pictured far left - Eventer Sharon Ridgeway and baby Tabitha enjoy a drink at Treehaven.

Pictured left - Tabitha spends time with Heather Brideoake, practicing for Nana hood maybe!

Pictured right - another of the Aussie boys who is based overseas, Phil Lever comes home to celebrate his 21st and Christmas with the family at Treehaven and has been lucky enough to get the ride on his dad's up and coming young mare La Laina while he has been home.

With so many of our talented younger riders based in UK, Ireland and Europe these days, the future looks good and who knows, hopefully one day soon we will be bringing you news of an Aussie Nations Cup Team featuring the riders who are doing it alone!