Emily Hann & Canopy Grove Damini from Queensland, in the lead after Jumping in the CNC1*
Coonabarabran, in the foothills of the Warumbungle Ranges, is about 90 minutes past Quirindi or a four-hour drive from Maitland, which is where I came from last night. Today is the first day of the inaugural Warumbungle Eventing competition. The dressage has been run and the showjumping has been completed for most of the classes with the newcomers (EvA60) and the encouragers (EvA45) to run tomorrow.
Sharmayne Spencer & Aurelia De Gwaihir in fourth place after jumping in the CNC1*
After dressage, in the CNC1* class junior rider Emily Hann with Canopy Grove Damini hold the equal lead with Tamworth committee member Amanda Young on Bijou II on a score of 58.4. Just behind the leaders is fellow Tamworth committee member Sharmayne Spencer on Aurelia De Gwaihir tied with Susan Burnheim on Go Gecko.
However, the showjumping for the one star was devasting to the leaderboard with joint leader Amanda Young eliminated after two stops at the wall, which caused lots of problems for the one star. Susan Bernheim moved up to second place with one of only two clear rounds. The other clear was Emily Hann from Queensland who was the last one out and had a clinical round to remain in first place. I caught up with Emily after her round and she was very happy. Click on the icon below to hear what she had to say.
After dressage in the pre-novice (EvA105) class saw the dressage test of the day with Hazel Shannon on Clifford scoring 35.4, well in front of second-placed Courtney Harris on Sirrah Park Tabooba who sit on 40.2 in front of veteran eventer and master dressage performer Heath Ryan who lies in third on an uncharacteristic 46.2. Hazel is a student of Heath's and she has obviously been listening to his words of wisdom recently and it's paying off in her results.
Donna Woods & Branigans Sub Zero in the Prelim EvA95 class
The showjumping in the pre-novice was just as devastating for the leaderboard, although Hazel Shannon managed to hold her lead by a slim margin after picking up 12 jumping and 2 time. Laura Rae and Heather Proctor moved up into second place while Heath Ryan diverted via Dubbo during his round to pick up 18 time penalties.
I won't work through all of the classes for the results but instead skip through to the newcomers (EvA 60) where Fiona McAffery leads on Hallmark with 40.8. Junior rider Samantha Cormie and Tables Turned sit in second place on 47.4, in third is Courtney Larard with Rosebrook Magic Star on 54.6.
Walking the cross-country course this morning I was reminded that this is a proper country event with lots of bushland to traverse. I wouldn't want to get lost on cross country because you may not make it home until Wednesday if you do. The other thing about being in the country is the hospitality, the food and drink are plentiful, and there have been warming fires all day.
Natalya Bretherton & Dressed in a Rush in the EvA95 Preliminary
If you have never been to Coonabarabran before you need to put it on the list, I will be back with the family as it is the gateway to the Warrumbungle National Park which is spectacular. I ducked up the hill this morning for a quick look as the sun was rising and was mesmerised. Definitely coming back. Cross country is in the morning and tomorrow promises to be a good day.
Yours in eventing,
ESJ (John Lechner)
