Equestrian Term 3 Report
20091016 Friday 16 October 2009
The Equestrian Team began Term 3 on Friday, 7 August, with Day 3 of the Interschool Show-jumping series held at Treehaven Equestrian Centre. Annica Robertson had a brilliant day for Haileybury by gaining 1st, 4th and 5th placings on her three rounds, gaining enough points to take out Champion in her section, ‘Stars’. Leisa Jeffrey gained placings in two of her classes and Jess Hurley also gained a place in her Two-Phase round. Jessica Kealy had a very busy day campaigning two horses and completing a total of six rounds for the day. Unfortunately, Samantha Tierney retired after completing her first round.
Riders who take part in Horse Trials make a big commitment as they are required to prepare for and memorise the course and then ride a dressage test, a cross country course and a show jumping round, all in the space of a day. This year, three Haileybury riders did all of this on 5 September, when they took part in the Yarra Valley Grammar Interschool Horse Trials. Angus Wright-Smith, Alice Davidson and Emily Dewing all made terrific efforts at this event and are to be commended on their skill and perseverance. Jess Hurley also took her new horse out for her first taste of Interschool Horse Trials when she competed at the Equestrian Victoria Horse Trials at Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre. Although she had an unfortunate mishap at the water, she was unhurt and has since conquered this jump at future events.
The last day of Term 3 saw Samantha Tierney, Alice Davidson and Jess Hurley all competing at the Australian Equestrian Sporting Academy in an interschool show-jumping competition. Jess continued to show an increased level of confidence and gained two placings, giving her 4th overall in her section. Alice completed two lovely rounds and Samantha survived a huge cat leap her horse took over the wall jump.
During the term break, the Haileybury Equestrian Team met at the Treehaven Equestrian Centre on 21 September, to take part in a jump-training day with instructors Laurie Lever and his son David; the riders were also treated to a lunchtime talk on feeding horses and horse nutrition. It was lovely to see the mix of our students from various sections of the School come together for this day. Participants were Abby Plant, Mia Wigham, Alex Mitchell, Paige Podger, Anna Johnson, Samantha Tierney, Lucy Hollowood, Moraya Seccull, Jessica Saxon-Burns, Brianna Witte, Alice Davidson, Grace Laing, Jess Hurley, Jessica Kealy, Brooke Stephens and Emily McLean.
The most recent event in which we have participated was the St Margaret’s Show-Jumping Competition held on Sunday, 4 October, the last day of the school holidays. Congratulations to Jess Hurley, who had a very successful day gaining 1st, 3rd and 5th placings, enabling her to take out Champion C grade on the day; Leisa Jeffrey also competed in C grade and gained two placings. In the D grade section, Emily McLean gained a 5th placing, Jessica Kealy scored a 4th placing and Brooke Stephens and Samantha Tierney were also there, admirably representing the School.
A very special mention needs to be made about the efforts of Annica Robertson at the Royal Melbourne Show. Annica took out the Champion Young Rider Show Jumping award held over two rounds; a very special and prestigious prize of which we are very proud.
Also at the Show, the winner of the much sought-after and renowned Garryowen event was none other than Lynda Hayes, who has been working at Haileybury with the Equine Studies students this semester. Once again, we extend our congratulations and acknowledge the huge amount of effort that goes into winning this event.
Wendy Jeffree
Head of Equestrian
