SSJC Comp day - 16th Nov - Outstanding results in trying conditions !! However firstly congratulations again to former long time pupil/ stable rider and pseudo family member Brooke Campbell for her World Cup win in Victoria over the weekend - just rewards for years of tenacious effort in our sport - long might she stay in the top flight and go even further with her achievements . Richmond was run under gale force conditions with 70 - 80 Klm winds for most of the day. Enough to test the patience and ticker of many a rider - but not one complaint did I hear all day from my guys and nor any suggestions of not starting - IMPRESSIVE. The 1m 10 started the ball rolling for our camp and left us with a WIN !!! for Bradley Arnold-Crookes and Kinnordy Georginus ( see video attached) note inside line to the water tray and a 3 rd for Eliana Dery and Carassino ( who were having their first start for over 6 months due to HSC exam commitments ) Sarah Thompson and Carlotta 91had a steady clear along with MG and Caprico - while Paige McBain and Sophie Smith both had solid rounds for a rail down. BUT THERE WAS MORE TO COME ......Paige McBain has just turned 13 yo in the last few weeks - followers of these reports will have seen how she has progressed in the last run of shows- riding the Kiwi horse Maserati - Paige rode with conviction and style for just one fence down over a testing 1 m 20 - at her first ever attempt at this height !!! Sophie Smith rides a copy book four fault round on the improving King Cobra in the 1 m 20. Sarah Thompson who is slotting into the increased height divisions with confidence and style gave the European bred mare Carlotta 91 a technically comfortable ride for just one rail in her 1m 20 - Sarah showed great focus having to re-start her round when a number of fences initially succumbed to the weather and promptly collapsed ! Sophie Smith (who it must not be forgotten was riding around 90 cm on a Galloway 15 months ago) then steps into her first ever crack at 1 m 30 with the super talented Barrabadeen Calypso - rides like the proper deal - and comes away with an unlucky rail to finish on 4 faults and overall 2 nd place over a demanding track in the aforementioned conditions - JUST BRILLIANT ! Olivia Gostelow runs a second place to keep her current run of form continuing in the 45 cm and Alexandra showed real pluck to ride steady rounds in the worst of the conditions to finish in the minor placings. Beyond my delight at this showing of another set of consistent results from these young folk - Im also left appreciating what these noble animals graciously offer to their riders - todays conditions required trust, bravery, determination and the patience to accept anothers point of view and the re-assurance that subsequently followed. Lessons I hope will stay with this team throughout their lives. MG
Posted on: Mon, 17 Nov 2014 01:26:42 +0000
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