Riders are saddling up for the upcoming Equine Performance Pty Ltd State Dressage Championships to be held at Orange Showground this weekend the 21 to the 22 January 2012.
With nine Pony Club NSW State Championships held every year, the Equine Performance Pty Ltd State Dressage Championships are the first state championship for 2012. The event hosted by Zone 3 is expected to attract around 200 competitors coming from all over NSW. A team from QLD will also be travelling down to compete over the weekend.
Dressage is a discipline where competitors must ride standard written tests from memory and are judged on their ability to perform in harmony with their horse. Riders competed across two separate Dressage tests with the overall champion being determined by the collective placingLocal event organiser and Zone 3 secretary, councillor and treasurer Kathryn Mannix is anticipating a fun weekend of strong competition. “With 198 riders the competition will be strong in each age division and again a good number of Queensland riders coming all the way down. They are usually a very strong team and feature in the placings,” said Mrs Mannix.
Fielding a team of 21 riders, “Zone 3 riders are looking forward to the Championship in their backyard,” said Mrs Mannix.
According to Mrs Mannix, “the Orange showground looks a picture at the moment with all this summer rain we’ve been having and the temperature has been a beautiful 23 – 25 degrees with a breeze, perfect riding weather.”
Spectators are encouraged to attend, with a full canteen in operation from Friday afternoon. “Local attraction the Slow Summer Festival also kicks off on the 20th January in Orange so there will be plenty to do when the riding finishes,” mentioned Mrs Mannix.
Competitors are reminded that back numbers are available from the office on the ground from 2 pm onwards on the day prior to competition. The Fitness Check is from 3 pm Friday the 20th January. Gear Check will be commencing 8 am sharp each day of competition, with competition to start 8:30 am each day.
The Pony Club Association of NSW looks forward to a great weekend of Dressage. Many thanks to all of the individuals who make this event possible, including the officials, volunteers, state office staff, judges, stewards, announcers and more.
The Equine Performance Pty Ltd State Dressage Championships is supported by Naming Rights Sponsor Equine Performance Pty Ltd, Sport and Recreation a division of Communities NSW, Mitavite official feed partner, as well as other local sponsors.
Good Luck to our three Zone 5 Riders – Ben and Jamie McElroy from Gunnedah and Melissa Coughlan from Coonabarabran
Go ZONE 20!!!! Have fun and do your best!!!