News

Longwood event signals return to sport

 Although it would be hard to top the Skye Park Victorian CDE Championships which Longwood Club  ran at Easter this year; the Level 3 CDE held on the 20/21st  November certainly had all the elements of a very successful and happy event. Following directly on from the GDDQ on the Friday, we were blessed with perfect weather, six first time CDE competitors ( now all totally hooked),  a completely new marathon course, designed by Rachel Haslau, which was all within the Longwood Recreation Reserve, and a dedicated TD in Bruce Hammond, coupled with a super Ground Jury; Elizabeth Hammond, Gwenifer Hack & Debra Fuller.

Some inspirational Dressage tests from our Open Singles drivers, notably Michelle Jones, and plenty of action in the Obstacles. A first time Pony Team drive in a CDE by sixteen year old Ned Andrew, saw  more than a glimpse of what the future holds for this young man.  What more could we want? Oh yes! The truly exceptional catering by the ladies of the Longwood Community, the highlight being, as usual, the superb dinner topped off by the vast array of mouth watering desserts. Congratulations to everyone concerned in helping to achieve a joyous return to competition. Results

Jenny Martin

 

Eight Victorian drivers competed at the NSW Championships over the weekend.   The course was excellent with drivers enjoying the improved water obstacle and the opportunity to once again have the option of going under the bridge in the bridge obstacle.  A brand new obstacle is planned for the venue in time for the National Championships to be held at Easter, 2018.

Congratulations to class winners, Graham Martin (Intermediate Small Pony), Karen Rogers (Pony Tandem), Phil Marshall (Pony Pair), Michelle Jones (Intermediate Horse), Lorraine Cairns (Open Horse), Glenda Marshall (Single Horse, L4)

Oaklands Club also took out the Club Team Trophy with Michelle Jones, Karen Rogers and Phil Marshall.

Victoria was also very well represented in the Officials category.   Big thanks to Peter Harkness (Course Designer), Peter Lee (TD), Cheryl Dowling (Head of Ground Jury & Dressage Judge), Tom Dowling (Cones Judge, Dale Parker (Assistant TD), Heather Parker and DJ Parker (Stewards/Workers).    Results

Many thanks to Linda Mace for the photo of Phil and Glenda Marshall in the water obstacle.


Seven Victorian competitors travelled to Cootamundra over the weekend of October 21st and 22nd.   The Level 3 CDE was held on the lovely property of Garry and Judy Harris.  The new course proved a very enjoyable drive with some stunning views to be had on Section A.  A good sized crowd watched the marathon on Sunday with all obstacles situated together in front of a spectator viewing lane. Congratulations to  Tracey Tuohy who  took out first place in the Novice Small Pony class, Mandy lawrence for winning the Introductory Multiple class and Karen Rogers for winning the Pony Tandem class..   Keep this event on your radar for next year.   Results


Carriage Horse Driving Trials Club held a successful Level 4 CDE over the weekend of September 16th & 17th at their grounds at Koonoomoo.   The weather gods were kind ensuring good going and lovely sunshine for the marathon.   Results


The Skye Park Indoor Final was held at Kal Kallo on Sunday, September 10th.  Nine qualifying events had been held by clubs throughout the state during the season.  Seventeen qualified competitors  faced the Precision and Paces Judges, Cheryl Dowling and Tina Marshall, for the first phase of competition. this was followed by the Cones competition and then the obstacles phase. Oaklands Club members worked quickly to change over the course so that the whole event was completed in a speedy fashion.  Once again the Victorian Branch of the ACDS is extremely grateful to Di Boardman and Skye Park Equine Tailors for their generous and continued support of carriage driving in this state.    Congratulations to all class winners: Kirsty Blake, Rhiannon Damsma, Michelle Jones, Nicole Linic, Kirsty Beecroft and Julie Wilson.   Results



 

A very successful Level 3 CDE was held at Murrami, NSW over the weekend of September 9 & 10. Murrami is an easy three hours over the border between Leeton and Griffith.  Weather was perfect after the fairly trying weather in Victoria in the weeks leading up to this event.  Murrumbidgee Club had done a great job in getting the grounds in order for the event.  Five obstacles and easy, flat going meant that it was a perfect start to the CDE season.  Victoria was represented by Kate Wholagan (Dressage Judge), Tom Wood (TD) and David Cockcroft and Lorraine Cairns (competitors).   Alonga Waterfront Cottages (www.alongacottages.com.au)was the major sponsor for the event and donated a weeks accommodation to the value of $2000 to the overall winner.  Well done to Kerrie Rosetta, Robyn Schmetzer and all at Murrumbidgee Carriage Driving Club for their efforts.   Keep this event on your radar for next year!   Pictured above -Murrumbidgee Club member Ben Rosetta   Results


April - Victorian drivers, grooms and supporters are now home after a successful campaign at the Australian CDE Championships at Monarto, South Australia.  Many ribbons, trophies, great experiences and lots of red dust all made their way back to Victoria.   Congratulations to all winners and place getters and also to the organisers for a great weekend.  Pictures by generous courtesy of Aussie Rambling.   www.aussierambling.com  Results

   

 

April 1st & 2nd - A big weekend of carriage driving saw drivers competing or training (or both) all over the state and beyond.

Mornington Peninsula Pleasure Harness Club a driven dressage qualifier over the weekend.   Results  The last Driven Dressage Qualifier before the Championships will be held at Greenvale on April 29th & 30th.  Latest Driven Dressage Grading List can be found here.

Five Victorian competitors competed at the Joe Hawkins Cup at Marrar, NSW over the weekend.   This competition is well known for its friendly and well-organised weekend of competition and if you can make the date next year you should get there.  Results

Grampians Carriage Drivers held a very successful weekend of training with Phil Marshall at Elmhurst.


March 2017 - 

Benalla and District Horse Driving Club Inc held a very successful Oz Trec weekend over March 25th & 26th.   All who attended had a great time with many fun activities including a Navigation drive.  Other activities involved driving marathon obstacles, posting letters and  taking items from a clothes line. Pictured below are Heidi Murphy and Jan Moore .   The Benalla Club will be holding a weekend of lessons with Mike Thill on May 6th & 7th.  Program

 

The Skye Park Rugs Victorian Combined Driving Championships were held at Greenvale over the weekend of March 11, 12 & 13.  Competitors were full of praise for the courses and the smooth organisation.   Many thanks to all involved; Skye Park Rugs, Starbus Film Services, Horseland Warrnambool, Scribblegum Design and Print, Alpha Dog Beds, Top Foda, Profire Fire Safety Service, Vicky Lee- Postie Fashion and all other sponsors.   Also thanks to all judges, officials, stewards and of course competitors. Results


February 2017 - Bellarine Harness for Pleasure Club held a very successful Level 3 CDE and Very Small Equine Three Phase Event over the weekend of February 25th & 26th.   A huge total of 43 entries were received with a massive 16 in the Novice Small Pony. The VSE class was also well supported.   The event was self stewarding and ran like clockwork thanks to the hardworking organisers.  Results


February 2017 - Eastern Victorian Pleasure Harness Club held a very successful two day Driven Dressage event over the weekend of February 18 & 19.  Great entries were received from all over the state.  A special thank you must go to the wonderful sponsors at Sale Saddleworld.  Pictured left to right: Bernadette Lewis, Terri Butler and prizes donated by Sale Saddleworld.   Results


 

January 2017   Northern Country Carriage Driving club's first event was held over the weekend.   Two days of dressage with very good entries was enjoyed by all who attended.  Judges and competitors were very complimentary about the great job the club had done conducting the event.   Although very hot there was plenty of shade and times were adjusted to make sure everyone had the minimum time in the heat. Picture above left to right: NCCD club members Leanne Kirby, Val Woolley, Lorraine McNeill  Results Day One  Results Day Two 


January 2017   A joint initiative with Oaklands Horse and Carriage Driving Club and National Carriage Driving Victoria will see Boyd Exell conducting a clinic at Greenvale Equestrian Reserve (just near Melbourne International Airport) in January.   Boyd is the current and four times Four in Hand World Champion and lives in the Netherlands.  Although all spots at the clinic are filled there are plenty of places available for fence sitters.  This will be a great opportunity to see Boyd,  as he has not been in Victoria for some years.  More info


November 17th - 20th - Well done to all involved with the Equitana Demonstrations/Competitions on Friday.  It was a great showcase of our sport.   Results


November 12th & 13th - Central Highland Pleasure Harness Club held a very successful Level 4 CDE and Very Small Equine Three Phase Event.   The weather was unkind but all had a great time.  Organisers, officials and competitors were all able to gain valuable feedback on the inclusion of VSE's at Combined Driving Events.  The next event to include VSE's will be at Inverleigh in February and conducted by the Bellarine Harness for Pleasure Club. Pictured below Julie Wilson the winner of the VSE class.  Results


November 5th & 6th - Eleven Victorian drivers made the journey to Witwood for the NSW Championships and Level 3 competition.   Witwood was looking an absolute picture and the TD Peter Lee, together with the organisers, had everything in place for a great weekend of competition.   Victorians brought home six Championships and also won State Team.  Class winners were Julie Mackay, Dawn Walter, David Cockcroft, Phil Marshall, Rachel Haslau and Lorraine Cairns.   Big commiserations to Mandy Lawrence who sustained an injury before the start of competition and was unable to compete.   Get well soon, Mandy.  Pictured below - Rachel Haslau, Phil Marshall and Lorraine Cairns, winners of the State Team Award standing in front of the major sponsor's stand, Gladiator Floats.    Results


October 24th - Congratulations to Ruby Lawrence for being awarded runner up in the junior section of the Western District's Sports Woman Association of Victoria.   Ruby is a junior member of the Bellarine Harness for Pleasure Club.


September 11th - A very successful Indoor Final has been held at Kalkallo today.  Congratulations to all winners, placegetters, other finalists and the organisers for a great day's competition.   Results


August 28th - The final  qualifying round of the Indoor Series was held on August 28th at Kalkallo conducted by Oaklands club.   Twenty two drivers presented to the judges who were kept busy all day to ensure that the event ran smoothly and on time.   Results.  The final of the series will be held in two weeks at the Kalkallo venue.   Entry form can be found by following the links on the Calendar.


Tyntyder, near Swan Hill, was the venue for two days of Indoor competition in August.   The event was conducted by Pioneer Country Carriage Drivers and was a huge success with 18 competitors travelling from Victoria and South Australia.  Saturday Results  Sunday Results

The next and final Indoor Qualifier will be held at Kal Kallo next weekend.   This is also the venue for the Indoor Final.


The fourth Indoor qualifier was held at Balnarring Racecourse on August 7th conducted by Mornington Peninsular Pleasure Harness Club. A great day's competition was enjoyed by all competitors. Results  The next qualifier is a double header at Tyntynder (near Swan Hill) Indoor arena and will be conducted by Pioneer Carriage Drivers. More details available on Calendar.

      


A great weekend's competition was enjoyed at Inverleigh at Bellarine Harness for Pleasure Club's Indoor double header.   Results Day One  Results Day Two 

Nicole Linic competing at Bellarine's Indoor Qualifier


July 17th - Gippsland Pleasure Harness Society's Indoor Qualifier was held today in brilliant sunshine although the early fog and frost had us wondering where on earth we had put the Precision & Paces arena and the cones the day before.   Twenty four competitors including eight in the First Season Class strutted their stuff at the newest carriage driving venue, Elmore Equestrian Park.  It was fantastic to try out this new venue and all agreed it was great despite a bit of mud and a few puddles.   Well done to all competitors and helpers.   Results. Pictured below 1st Season Competitors Cody Marshall and Mark Rogers.


July - Victorian members travelled to Campbelltown, NSW over the weekend for the ACDS AGM and Annual Conference.   As well as meetings and open forums there were several very interesting guest speakers, a horse dentist demonstration and trade stands.  Congratulations to Tony James who was awarded Life Membership of the society.


The Indoor Series kicked off on July 2nd at Koonoomoo conducted by the Carriage Horse Driving Trials Club.  The weather stayed dry and all competitors were finished in good time.  Pictured below Victoria Jerman (Central Highlands Pleasure Harness Club) shows how it's done in MO 3.  Results from Day One  Results from Day Two

 

 

Updated March 27th