Last weekend proved to be the start of something very, very big in the off the track world with the running of the inaugural Thoroughbred Sport Horse Association National Titles on November 18, 19 and 20.
Held at the magnificent Stonewall Equestrian Centre on the NSW’s Central Coast, the event attracted nearly 300 Thoroughbreds and their riders from across the country to compete in show jumping, dressage and show horse classes over the three days.
Thanks to the wonderful support of sponsors and competitors alike, organiser Krissy Harris believes next year’s event will be even bigger.
Competition kicked off on Friday with the hotly contested $20,000 Six Bar, producing a national height record for a registered Thoroughbred when young Hunter Valley rider Charlie Richardson and his 15-year-old gelding Mavrick flew over 1.75m on their final run, on this occasion outclassing Olympian Shane Rose, World Championship contender Shenae Lowings, and Sam Woods.
Queenslander Sarah Weiss and 14-year-old gelding Waratone on their way to winning the $20,000 Puissance.
Saturday’s main event was the $10,000 Maiden Teams Challenge (90cm), ably taken out by Linda and Graham Huddy’s Peachester Lodge, while the National Group I Champion (1.2m) was won by West Australian Sophie Stott and Allwest.
The excitement continued into Sunday, with Australian show jumping champion Olivia Hamood and the Strawberry Hill Stud team triumphant in the $70,000 Racing Teams Challenge (1.15m). The $20,000 Puissance went to Queensland rider Sarah Weiss and her 14-year-old gelding Waratone, while Shane Rose was the most successful rider by wins, claiming the $10,000 Heath Harris Horsemanship Medal.
Linda and Graham Huddy’s Peachester Lodge team, winners of the $10,000 Maiden Teams Challenge.
Don’t miss the December issue of Equestrian Hub Magazine for the full story on this groundbreaking new event.
(Images courtesy Nicole Scrivener)
Feature Image: Olivia Hamood and the Strawberry Hill Stud team were triumphant in the $70,000 Racing Teams Challenge (1.15m).
