A very busy weekend was had at Ryal Bush. It was our 10th anniversary of running at our Ryal Bush venue. We had always planned on running the ‘Young Event Horse & Pony Competition’ on the Saturday and our usual ODE on the Sunday but we also decided it would be a good idea to run The Southern Teams Competition in conjunction with the event on Sunday, seeing as Southland Pony Club were unable to stage it this year. To add to the jam packed competitions on offer, Debra and Janelle decided it would be a great idea to hold a ‘Thoroughbred Challenge” competition on the Saturday to showcase the Thoroughbreds in their life after racing.
A few weeks of intense organising and some very generous sponsorship from all 13 of the Racing Clubs in Southland and Otago, along with ‘Love Racing’ we pulled it off with 21 entries from all over the South Island competing for $3,000 worth of prize money.
The ‘Southland Racing Club Thoroughbred Stakes’ overall winner was Olivia Jarvis on the lovely B.Springsteen (Wrote), who earnt more in this class than he did in his entire racing career. Second was Southland Dressage President, Rochelle Smith on Chamonix (Highly Recommended). Maybe we are converting Rochelle to eventing! Third again went north to Abby Sinclair and Mystify (Vespa) followed by Tinesha Benson on Sinensis (Reliable Man).
The second class, sponsored by ‘Love Racing’ was for the Thoroughbred that had been off the track 24months or less. Abby Sinclair and Mystify (Vespa) more than paid for their fuel in taking out the win in this class from Lindsay Colwell and Muskoka (Redwood).
Not to be outdone the Madison Farm (MF) Equestrian and Kakatea Equestrian Young Event Horse & Pony Classes also had their fair share of quality horses presented. One of which being Kendra Holt’s RV Conquistador (ES Diamant B) , who won the 4Year Old Young Event Horse followed by Cherie Cournane on MF Jumping Jack (MF Starburst). Three of the 4 horses in this class were all bred by Cherie at Madison Farm.
The 5yo YEH was taken out by Tanya Davie on the the self bred and produced Glenbrooke Violet Rose (ClintonII), closely followed by Katie Wilson and Marvel G (Heartbreak).
The 6yo YEH saw Katie Wilson taking the win on Zocalo Extreme CCPH (Zirroc Extreme) from Charlotte Davis on Loyal PH Zena (Zirroco Blue VDL).
The YEP class for 4YO, 5YO & 6YO was a very close contest with some seriously nice pony’s.
The son of the very versatile pony Bizzie Canoodling, in Bizzie Roly Poly and Katie Wilson won from Beyond The Stars and Lucy Drake. Three of the 6 in this class were all by Bizzie Canoodling, who is certainly leaving some lovely progeny.
Onto the the main event for the weekend, the Excel Equine and Kentaur NZ Ryal Bush ODE. The weather gods were not so kind, leaving all riders looking for a change of clothes after the dressage, but the skies cleared for the xc and we saw some fantastic jumping over the John Carmicheal designed courses.
Lindsay Colwell and Waitangi Netflix took out the win uncontested in the Beta Vet CCN 3*.
The Comfy Equine Rubber Matting CCN2* saw Caitlin Cook on Dixie take home the silverware from Suzanne Black on Colton AF. We wish Caitlin all the best as she ventures north for NZPCA Eventing Champs.
Heidi Green is another rider heading north for NZPCA Champs as part of the Otago/Southland PC Team, and she finished on her dressage score to win the Eastern Physiotherapy CCN 105 from Sara Rowley on Tigerherz and Lauren Toomey on Double Connection.
The Witches Brew Hoof Oil CCN95 class was won easily by Colleen Marriot and Phonetic Code from Olivia Jarvis and B.Springsteen. These 2 certainly made the trip down worthwhile.
Kate Stalker looked good on course to take the win in the AB Lime NZPC 95 from Kate Pulley and Galaxy Razza Ma Taz.
Liz Greene looked very polished in her round on her daughter’s horse Aramis to win the Equine Sports Gail Richardson CCN 80 class followed by Tinesha Benson on Sinensis and Jacquita Warren on Donald third.
Oakley Agriculture NZPC 80cm class was won by Saskia Marriott on CS Your Last Penny from McKenzie Jordan on FF Traumzeit and Olivia McDonald and Little Miss Grace.
Peggy Angus-Cook and A & P Angelique impressed the judges to take the win in the Saddle Tree CCN 65 from Lucy Blair-Edie and Eve followed by Megan Meade and Haka Harry.
Churchy’s & Hoof Oil NZPCA 65cm was won by Grace Walling on Charleston KSNZ, followed by Caitlin Wallis on Bizzie Dancer and Joccoa Crosswell on Fergie third.
Oakridge Equestrian NZPCA 50cm over 21 was won by Leah Crosby on Co Star and the under 21 was won by Elise Jefcoate on Deep South Promenade.
Southern teams was hotly contested this year with 8 teams battling it out. In the end the silverware went home with Central Southland Pony Club. The composite team of Tapanui, Northern Southland and Clyde Pony Clubs came in second and third went to Wyndham Pony Club.
The dressage trophy was taken out by Wakatipu Pony Club.
A huge shout out to all our sponsors, old and new. We couldn’t do what we do with your support. Thank you. A heartfelt thanks as always goes to our hard working land owners John & Sandra, and Penny & Brendon and our course designer John, along with the endless hours Penny put in on the tractor. Thanks to our Judges, officials and everyone that helped along the way. Special thanks to Penny for organising the Southern Teams, Suzanne the YEH & YEP and Janelle for the TB Challenge. We are a small but mighty committee in the Deep South and this event was a cracking end to a very challenging season.
Pictured is Southland Racing Club president Sean Bellew presenting Olivia Jarvis and B.Springsteen (Wrote) as the overall winner of the Eventing Southland Inaugural Thoroughbred Challenge