Riders jump into Woady trials

MORE than two hundred and sixty horse-and-rider combinations were in action at Smythesdale over the weekend.

The 2023 Hewitt & Whitty Saddlery Friends of Woady Horse Trials ran over two days at the Woady Yaloak Equestrian Centre with dressage, show jumping, and cross-country events.

Friends of Woady Eventing Association’s Nadine Gass said the standard of competition was high, with competitors attending from across Victoria.

“Unfortunately, we had some riders remove themselves from the cross-country phase due to the wet weather, but we were pleased to have Wendy Schaeffer-Macdonald compete, on her Off the Track program thoroughbred Sun Quest,” Gass said.

“Wendy was a member of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics equestrian team.”

The Friends of Woady are a small group of equestrian enthusiasts and Ms Gass said members pride themselves on hosting a quality event each year.

“It is the annual fundraiser for the Woady Yaloak Equestrian Centre and monies raised are used to improve facilities for our four home user groups, the Ballarat Adult Riding Club, Smythesdale Adult Riders, Rokewood Pony Club and Smythesdale Pony Club, not to mention the numerous casual users we have,” she said.

“Not only is the event important to the local equestrian community, it is important to the local businesses too, who are supported by our competitors over the duration of the event.

“Eventing is a demanding sport and the best feeling we have is when the event is completed and all our competitors and their horses return home safely.

“Many of our local equestrian community are involved at this event as volunteers, undertaking numerous tasks over both days. Without our volunteers, we wouldn’t be able to run our event. We are very grateful to them.”

The 2023 horse trials were included in the inaugural Young Horse Classic Eventing Horse Challenge.

“Our event is a warm-up for many competitors and horses before the Melbourne International Three Day Event which will run from 8 to 12 June at the National Equestrian Centre in Werribee,” Gass said.