Wonderful Wandin

The venue used for the second successive year by the organisers of the Victorian Carriage Driving Championships again provided a true test of fitness of horse and driver. Facilities at Wandin Park are good – horse yards, administration rooms, ablutions block and a large "Wool Shed" for dancing in.

The vista is superb, rolling green hills, the Victorian snowfields in the distance and orchards, all with the picture perfect wide expanse of sky whether overcast or clear blue.

Event Director, Andrew Marshall managed to maintain his cool at all times in the weeks leading up to the Championships, during and after, and the Victorian Branch owes Andrew and his level-headed, efficient Event Secretary, Margaret Connor a debt of gratitude. Andrew and Margaret also managed to secure most of the sponsorship between them. Technical Delegate was Graham Martin who did a thorough job over the weekend.

Upon arrival competitors were almost overwhelmed by the generous "kits" provided by a range of sponsors. The team drivers needed help from their grooms to carry the kits back to camp! The organisers believed in sharing around product. Drivers were even rewarded for returning their numbers with yet more product including fresh avocadoes courtesy Specialist Plantations, Equinade samples and more Laucke Mills feed samples.

Presentation was judged on the move for the open and multiple drivers – a popular move indeed, while Pauline Thill judged the novices. Best overall with a score of 0.2 was Tasmanian Danny Hawkes driving Hazelmere Quo Vadis who openly acknowledged the help of groom Chris Mathias. Sue Waters and Bambra Buccaneer achieved the next best score of 0.4.

Because entry numbers were low this year it was decided to run one dressage arena for all classes. This meant that judges Cynthia Doherty and Gail Hammond were kept fairly busy. Not only did they judge all 30 drivers, they also had three test changes during this time. The Novice classes drove the ACDS Novice CC Test.

Caroline Pittock driving Jupiter headed the novice pony over 11hh ne 12hh with a score of 47 just tipping out Skye Armstrong on 48. In the novice pony over 12.2hh ne 14hh Melissa Ryan with Deldrac Kasper finished with 42.5 followed by Danny Hawkes on 48 and Allison Jackson with 49.5.

Best in the open classes driving FEI No.7 Test. was Michelle Jones who achieved a superb performance from her pony Dunolly Badger and finished with 25.5. Andrew Pollock and Matilda were close behind on 32.5 and Madeleine Bentley with Dutton Lea Lyric next best with 50.

Rachel Haslau driving the FEI No.6 Test with her pony team obtained 56.4, followed by Debra Hatton and her new tandem with 61.2 and Garry Harris on 67.2, the best of the multiples.

A relaxed informal BBQ get-together was held on the Saturday night as drivers prepared for an anticipated testing marathon. The start time was delayed so the spectators had plenty to see in the afternoon.

The Marathon course was designed mindful of the hilly terrain that awaited competitors on Section E. Again some sections made use of the Rail Trail, which on such a beautiful day was well-used by pedestrians, equestrians and cyclists alike. Only the open pony class (over 12.2hh ne 14hh) achieved clear section times as a whole.

There were seven Marathon Obstacles, two in the water, designed by Course Designer Peter Harkness to test driver and horse, and in several cases, groom. Obstacle sponsors were: True Blue Signs & Boat Covering Service, Central Highlands Pleasure Harness Club, Laucke Mills – Horse Nutrition Specialists, Tait Carriages, Euroair – ventilation and fans, Horseland (Narre Warren), Specialist Plantations – Rural Projects, and Melbourne Landrover. The organisers thank these sponsors for their support.

Several performances stood out. In the novices Lyn Mulready driving Scribblegum Peter blitzed the field with 63.4 and in the next height class Claire Nankivell with Langefelde Emma-Lee won this competition on 83.2. Joy Xanthos and Rosette Park Little Token won their class with 85.8, Lucinda driven by Peter Hennel (64) just pipped Wendie Stephens and Langtree Royal Doulton (65) in the bigger open class, Judy Dwyer with Ellmore Special Edition finished on 66.3 behind Pollock on 49.4. Paul Ket driving his horse pair performed the best of the multiples with 73.2.

Tales of woe aplenty of course:

Garry Harris’ leaders tried to go either side of a tree; Wayne Armstrong finished MO3, and hence the marathon, with one front wheel at right angles to the rest; Nicole Allen lost her surprised groom in the water; Melissa Ryan and Danny Hawkes both had horse problems; but the award for multiple dismounts went to Tina Hennel driving Mason Park Jim firstly for falling out of the vehicle in MO2, and, not content with a mere dismount, she turned the vehicle over completely in the next one. That was the obstacle she had warned others about prior.

The dinner following the marathon rekindled the spirit that has been waning at events over the past years. Remember when you couldn’t recall the venue or who won but you could remember the party?

The food was satisfying, desserts full of cream and chocolate, but the best was the entertainment that had some in stitches and others wishing they had not volunteered so willingly. Celebrity heads saw Garry Harris victorious for correctly guessing "Wayne Carey" and Judy Dwyer trying to guess "Santa" with lots of help from the audience. The karaoke was variable but Claire Nankivell valiantly persisted with a low key "Country Roads" to wild applause. The Wool Shed also boasts a large mirror ball so disco tunes were the order. The party raged well into the early hours and from the quietness around camps the next day more than a few regretted their indulgences of the previous night.

The Cones were set to commence early so drivers could get away if they needed to. Sky Armstrong and Barkell Storm Cloud, Lyn Mulready, Michelle Jones, Judy Dwyer and Andrew Pollock all achieved double clear rounds. (Perhaps some others were still seeing double?) Other class winners included Nicole Allen and Naruni Park Bambi and Robyn Reynolds driving Oscar. Best of the multiples were Garry Harris, Debra Hatton and Suzanne Ridley with her pair of Knocklyon Larrikin & Leirei Magnum.

In the wrap-up there were several other drivers whose performances are worth noting: Kim Filmer and Mithril Black Russian were "talked into" competing and finished a creditable 3^rd: Tom Wood campaigned his newest pony, Viv-Bella to 4^th place: "Gentleman" Alan Farmer enjoyed his weekend driving Makari Laddie: Leanne Connor disappointingly had to drop from her pair to a single for the event and finished in 3^rd place with the fastest Cones round to her and Navatoe Jedda’s credit: and Trevor Brand drove his team consistently to 3^rd place – in each competition!

With more product to divvy up the competitors were treated to lots more give-aways at the prize giving ceremony.

Additional support came from the following sponsors: Baker’s Delight, Ringwood; R & N Harness, Gippsland Pleasure Harness Club, Mornington Peninsula Pleasure Harness Club, Pam & Bill Marshall, Downrite – Triple M Mud Products; Coburg Truck Parts, Equinade, Carriage Horse Driving Trials Club, Oaklands Horse & Driving Club. We thank all of the above sponsors for their generosity. Also a big "thank you" to the many members and friends who came and helped at any stage over the weekend. It was wonderful to have a plethora of willing stewards and officials present on marathon day and made a change to the usual coercive tactics that generally have to be employed to ensure adequate coverage.

Joy Xanthos, Rosette Park Little Token

Andrew Pollock, Matilda

Andrew Pollock, Matilda

Suzanne Ridley, Knocklyon Larrikin & Leirei Magnum

Rachel Haslau, Lenson Park Sovereign, Lenson Park Pirate, Haslock Park Blossom, Tye Felicity, Tye Aurora, Tye Tinsell

Lyn Mulready, Scribblegum Peter

Michelle Jones, Dunolly Badger

Debra Hatton, Derlwyn Lyric & Rhyl Success

Concours d’elegance Singles — Allison Jackson, Adam

Multiples — Garry Harris, Bronze Emperor, Bronze Ruler, Brock, EO

Junior Driver— Nicole Allen, Naruni Park Bambi

Club Team – Oaklands Boys – Peter Hennel (Lucinda) & Andrew Pollock (Matilda)

If anyone wishes to purchase a video of the event they are now available. They run for 20 minutes. Each driver is seen in all phases of competition. A great record of the event. Cost $15 each (plus $5 p&p) or arrange pick-up/drop off.

Please contact: Liz (03) 9439 7843 or email: theundershirt@hotmail.com