Victorian Horse Trials Championships Top Team Trophy

The Horse Riding Club Association of Victoria held its Top Team Trophy Horse Trials Championships on 28 and 29 April at ‘Candlebark’ Riddells Creek Pony Club grounds hosted by Romsey and District Adult Riders.

This major championship gives five different levels of horse and rider combination to show their skills over the 3 phases; dressage, showjumping and cross-country.

Despite the inclement weather on Friday, which created havoc with vehicle access, dressage got underway at 8:30am Saturday morning. After a cool day many of the 270 competitors from 70 teams joined in the social evening dancing to Bull Bar Jack.

Sunday dawned a new day with the sun shining on the spectacular new cross-country which had been completed with assistance of many local businesses. There were very few dramas apart from the occasional human splash at the water jump and the majority of competitors completed the cross-country phase with big smiles on their faces and happy horses.

The Top Team Trophy was Mentone Mobsters from Mentone ARC.

A huge thank you to all sponsors as without their contribution this event would not have been possible.

Introduction from the President

Welcome to "Candlebark", the grounds of Riddells Creek Pony Club Inc for the 2001 HRCAV Top Teams Trophy Horse Trials Championships. The staging of this event is the culmination of many interlocking activities. Our thanks go to the Riddells Creek Pony Club Inc for allowing us to use their lovely facilitieson the Clarke’s family property. Special thanks go to the Shire of Macedon Ranges who through a Community Grant allowed RADAR to have Mick Pinneo finish the level off the Level 1 and 2 cross country course and have built some extra yards. We hope that those who have yards away from the grounds are happy with their billeting arrangements. One of the reasons we chose the venue was our belief that local sponsors would help present this prestigious event knowing developments would assist the local community. We have been delighted and thrilled by the excellent response whether it be in work done on the property, financial support, product support or a combination of the above. As well as providing what we hope will be two enjoyable days of competition we leave the facilities immensely enhanced.

The facilities on the grounds are limited but we hope that your most important needs are cared for and that a great HRCAV spirit will be generated amongst all those camping. Saturday night may provide some ideal practice before "The ball" but remember you have to ride Sunday.

To the small organising committee and those others who have had a considerable input, many thanks for your dedication and patience. Thanks to Sunbury ARC for heeding the call for small clubs to help larger ones. Thanks to Kevin Watson of Riddells Creek Pony Club who through his wisdom and concern for detail has ensured that you will have a safe but challenging cross country ride. The Riddells Creek Pony Club will provide the catering for the weekend which should allow them to further develop the Club’s rooms and grounds.

To all helpers, riders who will also be helpers and to the riders and their mounts, many of whom have travelled a considerable distance, thanks for your contribution.

Let’s have a fun weekend with top competition and most importantly enjoyable and safe riding.

ROGER LAVELLE

President

RADAR (Romsey and District Adult Riding Club)