Solid Gold Eventing in the Park

Saturday, December 12th, 2015

by Tessa Sharman

An idea born in the Hickson family three years ago, Eventing in the Park has taken on a life of its own. Whether they came along to enjoy the family zone, to ride or to spend the day in one of the exclusive marquees, this event had something for everyone.

Above Left: Jess Manson and Legal Star in the process of winning the Grand Prix class

Above Right: Winners of the Diamond class, Michael Dagostino and Kendlestone Park Supreme jumping the Narrows Bridge with Perth City skyline as a back drop.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF REDFOTO.COM.AU

(for more photos follow this link to the Eventing in the Park Galleries)

Eventing in the Park has proven once again to be one of WA’s biggest events of the year and with over $125,000 worth of prizes up for grabs in 2015, it wasn’t surprising that the entry website crashed within minutes of the event opening. One hundred of WA’s top eventing and showjumping combinations were all looking to be a part of what is fast becoming the biggest event on the WA calendar and try their luck at winning some of the amazing prize pool on offer.

2015 saw riders from all over the country coming to compete in both the Diamond and Grand Prix classes including Olympians Megan Jones and Wendy Schaffer, Australian team representative Christine Bates and NSW event riders Charlie Brister and Shaun Dillon. However, the biggest name of the 2015 event was that of British rider Harry Meade who was kindly loaned a string of horses to ride from the BML stud as well as one of Sonja Johnson’s young Parkiarrup horses. Although none of the visiting riders finished in the top placings this year, they provided what many would consider to be a master class in eventing for the spectators. Riding horses they had only sat on a handful of time, they all completed lovely rounds, showcasing some of the talented horses WA has to offer.

 

Left: Harry Meade, on of the UK's top eventing riders, on one of his borrowed horses, BML Tortuga. Photo by Anthony Ponton - redfotos.com.au

 

 

This year’s competition had nineteen combinations clear of jumping penalties across both classes, so unlike previous years, a clear round to time was essential to finish in the top of the field. A fence down, or a refusal, incurred 4 penalties but the joker fence, if jumped clear, tempted riders with an 8 point bonus - to be used only if they already had penalties. Sonja Johnson even sought advice from the crowd as she rode by the marquees after taking a rail on Parkiarrup Illicit Liaison asking "Should I, or shouldn't I?", and of course the answer from the crowd was a hearty "Yes!!". Of course the down side of the joker was it incurred 8 penalties if knocked down or refused. Sonja, like every other rider who attempted the joker fence incurred those penalties. The joker remained unbeaten throughout the day - in both classes.
The glory in the ring was however reserved for two of WA’s favourite combinations.

Fresh from another successful campaign at Adelaide International Three Day Event, Jessica Manson and Legal Star put in a flawless performance to take out the Grand Prix class and a brand new McInerney Ford with a clear round nearly spot on the optimum time.

Left: Jess Manson and Legal Star with the winners rug and garland. Photo by Anthony Ponton. Below: Kate Ingham and Springfield Cezarina. Photo by Taja Henttonen - redfotos.com.au

 

Kate Ingham, who is part of the amazing organizing committee for this event ran a very close second (for the second year in a row, next year Kate!) on her super mare Springfield Cezarina owned by the Bagley family (who also won highest OTT),  as well as seventh on her other entry, Asti Aspiration.  The top three was rounded out by Gabby Pither and Max Almighty who made their competition comeback after having some time off this year.

 

Ella Shore and her striking grey gelding Eliva Kokooda held their own in this large class of experienced riders to take home the highest placed junior.

Left: Ella Shore and Eliva Kokooda. Photo by Red.

 

 

The Diamond class saw the king of the eventing grand prix Michael Dagostino rise to the top yet again on Kendlestone Park Supreme, proving that he has a knack of riding clear and to time, finishing 0.15 of a second off the optimum time and taking home a lovely car from major sponsors McInerney Ford. Glenys Davies rode the awesome ‘Awzam’ into second place with junior rider Josh Brown taking third on Tamblyn Park Sharatan in an extremely competitive class.

 

 

Below Left: Glenys Davies and Awzam. Photo by Sandy Thomson - redfotos.com.au. Below Right: Josh Brown with Tamblyn Park Sharatan. Photo by Bronwyn Weir - redfotos.com.au.

 

There was plenty of action happening in the marquee’s where hundreds of spectators came along to enjoy the hospitality that the event had to offer, some even getting the chance to rub shoulders with a celebrity or two. The Solid Gold Diamond’s Fashions on the Field judges spent the morning selecting those who had dressed to impress to strut their stuff on the catwalk between the Diamond and Grand Prix classes, with Stephanie Smith taking out the 2015 title sporting a lovely orange number and winning a $2500 gift voucher from Solid Gold Diamonds.  

The public course walk saw the course swarming with spectators getting an up close view of the many innovative jumps especially designed for this event, including the Narrows Bridge, Solid Gold Diamond and the Channel 7 skinny.

With this event growing bigger and more prestigious every year, it is fast becoming the event to aim to compete at in 2016.  Eventing in the Park offers a fantastic yet challenging atmosphere for both horse and rider, and many riders feel incredibly lucky to have such an event right on their door step. Simply completing the challenging course set by Alan Campbell and Fred Freeman is most riders aim, winning a prize is just an added bonus to top of a great day out.   

Full Results
Grand Prix
1st Jessica Manson – Legal Star
2nd Kate Ingham – Springfield Cezarina
3rd Gabrielle Pither – Max Almighty
4th Cindy Lyall – GI Joe
5th Belinda Isbister – Holy Bruce
6th Sophie Warren – Eminence
7th Kate Ingham – Asti Aspiration
8th Michaela Martindale – Kinnordy Rhani
9th Emily Gray – Jocular Vision
10th Tessa Sharman – Glencora Poetry Inmotion

Highest OTT – Kate Ingham – Springfield Cezarina
Highest Junior – Ella Shore – Eliva Kokooda

Diamond
1st Michael Dagostino – Kendlestone Park Supreme
2nd Glenys Davies – Awzam
3rd Joshua Brown – Tamblyn Park Sharatan
4th Gabrielle Pither – Forgetmenot
5th Isabell McLachlan – Acacia Ridge Renaissance
6th Lucy Atty – A Bit Taboo
7th Belinda Isbister – Here to Stay
8th Sonja Johnson – Misty Isle Raconteur
9th Teegan Garner – DVZ Ferraro
10th Charlie Brister – Mystery Mark

Highest OTT – Michael Dagostino – Kendlestone Park Supreme
Highest Junior – Joshua Brown – Tamblyn Park Sharatan

Above: Junior rider Isabell McLachlan on Acacia Ridge Renaissance. Photo by Anthony Ponton.