SOME of the nation’s best showjumpers are descending on Tamworth to scale the heights in a high class Peel River Produce Indoor Showjumping Championships.
Held at Tamworth Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre, the annual showjumping gala, run in conjunction with the Tamworth Show, has drawn massive entries, championship organiser Phil Hetherington said.
“We’ve got huge entries. 150 riders with more than 900 rounds of showjumping over three days,” Hetherington said yesterday
He said two rings would operate on the weekend, with the younger and less experienced riders competing “outside the AELEC” while the senior high class events will be held “inside”.
“We’ve got some top quality riders from Sydney and some from Queensland, Gatton and Toowoomba,” Hetherington said.
“Former Olympian Ronny Easey is jumping and so is Clem Smith, from Gatton. He’s won a number of World Cup events in Australia.”
He said the main event, the Grand Prix, would be run Saturday afternoon, starting about 3.30pm.
“It’s going to be a huge weekend, we’re up a third on last year’s entries and
that means we have a lot to do in
preparation.” Club publicity officer Rachael Smith said a “dedicated team of volunteers” would begin setting up for the Indoor Showjumping Championships tomorrow.
“We will work all weekend to ensure the event is a success,” Smith said.
“Highly renowned course designer Graeme Davey will be building for the top riders and horses in the indoor facility where a number of local riders including James Hetherington and Ron Easey will be competing against some of the top riders from around the state.
“Sponsors of the event include (major) Peel River Produce, Horseland Tamworth, Ray White, Garvin and Cousens, Healthy Inspirations, Blowes Trousers, Aon Insurance, Horsepower, Greg Bartlett Constructions, MPC Earth Moving, AJs Equine Dental, Avro Glass, National Build Plan, Forty Winks and The Hoffman Family
Phil Hetherington said most classes were “filled to capacity with a waiting list of riders hoping for a scratching to allow them positions”.
Riders from Queensland, the Central Coast, Victoria and through out the North and North West are expected for an event made so alluring by the magnificent venue – AELEC.
Phil Hetherington hopes good crowds will attend to watch the high class jumping in a brilliant arena.
Entry is free, he added.