The Murrumbateman Pony Club has been holding its show jump festival for 17 years and it is one of the biggest weekends in NSW as far as show jumping competitions go. It is unique in that each day is treated as a separate competition, which means a rider could compete on one horse on the Saturday and a different horse on the Sunday.
Six riders from Wamboin competed at the festival this year - Gabrielle & Craig Simpkin chose the Saturday program and Nicole Smith, Kate, Lauren & Penny Slater picked Sunday's schedule.
Saturday was for the brave (well done Colleen!) as the weather was cold and windy and sand bags were needed to keep the jump wings upright. Despite the conditions however, Gabrielle and Sunny had a good day, winning the D Grade 6 Bar competition, knocking only one rail in the AM7 and learning heaps as a new combination. Craig has decided that Cisco doesn't like Murrumbateman much as they had a few issues in the windy conditions. Maybe next year......
Sunday could not have been a better day weather wise. The sun shone all day and there was not a hint of wind. Nicole & Joe, Kate & Tia and Penny & Ashes all competed at C grade and Lauren & Jai were in the D Grade events.
Penny's first competition at C grade proved to be very successful with two seconds (6 Bar & Power & Speed) and a 3rd in the Equitation round (Under 13 years group). Penny also picked up a 3rd in the 1.3 Dressage Test.
Lauren enjoyed the day, which included a 4th in the D grade Under 13 years A2.
Nicole & Kate also had fun in the Under 17 years C grade competition, Kate 2nd & Nicole 3rd in the Power and Speed. In the 6 Bar not one rider ended up going clear in the final round, so there were lots of riders on equal placings and even the Judge seemed a bit confused. The height of the 6 Bar was quite challenging in the end and Nicole & Joe were in the final 5th round, but knocked the 4th rail (and it wasn't the highest!) and Kate made it through 4 rounds.
Weekends like these are great for riders to gain show jumping competition experience over a variety of types of events and I am sure all the Wamboin riders were able to work on aspects of their show jumping for future competitions.