Hygain

Spotlight Carriage Driving Event
22-23 April 2006, Wollert - Photos by Marcus Armstrong

The Spotlight Carriage Driving Event, organised by Australian carriage Driving Society affiliate Oaklands Horse and Driving Club, ran under overcast, but dry, skies over the weekend of April 22nd & 23rd at Wollert.

Fourteen entries contested the Barokes Wines Driven Dressage competition under the watchful eyes of Judges Margaret Bowen, Debra Hatton and Margie Morgan. Best overall here went to Tina Marshall driving the eye-catching Pricklebush Blackberry with 55.50, followed fairly closely by Tony James (NSW) and Kwobinyarn Blackjack on 57.50, while the two entries in the small pony class - Paul Silver with Bollingbroke Harley and Kate Hagley driving Buckie tied on 59.00.


Tina Marshall & Priclebush Blackberry

The Trevor Leibowitz Carriages Cones competition, judged by Kim Filmer, followed Dressage phase. The course was simple, short and flowing causing few problems for over half the field that managed double clear rounds. Nicole Allen driving the elegant Naruni Park Bambi recorded the fastest clear round in the smart time of 1:41:54, followed by Kate Hagley on 1:44:87.

The competitors eagerly anticipated the Spotlight Marathon phase of the competition on the second day following a pleasant convivial dinner on Saturday evening. The course covered 13 kms, consisting of three Sections - A, D and E, the last of which contained five Marathon Obstacles. Most of this distance was over gravel roads with the walk - Section D - around the perimeter of a paddock.

Cheryl & Tom Dowling driving JB Paul Silver and Bollingbroke Harley


Nicole Allen & Rodney Lasne with Naruni Park Bambi


Kate Hagley driving Buckie

The Marathon Obstacles (MOs) were cleverly designed by Course Builder Andrew Pollock to provide challenges to the experienced drivers, while giving plenty of long options for the more cautious or newer competitors. Several drivers took the opportunity at this low-pressure Level 4 competition to try different options or methods of approach to see how their horses would respond. Technical Delegate Andrew Marshall had no reservations in declaring the course open for inspection.


Best times through the MOs came from Nicole Allen, Kate Hagley, Tony James and Skye Bannan driving her pony pair of Diesel and Fly. With the scores processed quickly while drivers and helpers enjoyed a complimentary lunch closely followed by presentations, most managed to hit the road for home early afternoon.


Nicole Hatton driving Derlwyn Lyric


Tony & Nina James driving Kwobinyarn Blackjack Skye


Paul Silver & Bollingbrook Harley

Skye Bannon & Diesel and Fly
Ross Nankivell, Geoff Craven driving Langfelde Tilley
The organisers would like to thank sponsors Spotlight, Barokes Wines, Trevor Leibowitz Carriages, Starbus Film Services and Remlif Park Welsh Stud, for their generous support, all others who contributed in any manner, the Pollock family for the use of their property and all stewards and officials over the weekend. Thanks also to the competitors whose numbers included two from NSW - Tony James and Dot Willcoxson - who came along to support the event.
Angela Hennel - Event Director
Photos were taken by Marcus Armstrong.

Dot & Doug Wilcoxson driving Eradan Supa and Eradan Luke

 

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