As Usual the Barwon Zone Calendar Was Filled with Club, Zone and State Events Which Included;

BARWON ZONE

Barwon Zone has had an extremely busy year. The highlight was hosting the State Dressage and Show Jumping Championships in February, at The Elcho Park Equestrian Centre, Lara. The grounds looked fantastic after the exceptional wet summer. The weather over the weekend was good and the commitment of the hard working organising committee and support from all the clubs in the Zone all contributed to the success of the weekend.

As usual the Barwon Zone Calendar was filled with Club, Zone and State events which included; State Dressage & Show Jumping Championships, Horse Trials, BEDS (Barwon Equestrian Dressage Series), BESTS (Barwon Equine Showjumping Tri Series), Zone Qualifying events, Shows, Gymkhanas, Clinics, Camps, and Certificate Testing and Assessing Days. These events have been very demanding on clubs and their hard working organising committees. At the same time it has have given riders the opportunity to participate and compete in a range of disciplines, which has contributed to the success of Barwon Zone riders at State Level.

Barwon Zone has been well represented at all State Events, achieving great results and riders gaining valuable experience.

At the State Dressage and Show Jumping Championships at ElchoPark in Feb. Barwon Zone teams performed exceptionally well; winning the Grade 2 & 3 Dressage and the “C” Grade Showjumping, the “B” Grade Showjumping Team finished 5th and in the “A” Grade Showjumping, Barwon Zone riders finished 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th .

30 riders (15 Grade 1 & 15 Grade 2) ventured down to Heytesbury in wet and cold conditions to compete at the State Horse Trials. Riders found the Cross Country Course challenging and overall some great individual and Team results were achieved: Grade 1: Lauren Hill - Corio/Moorabool 1st and Damien Thornton - BarwonValley 2nd. Grade 2: Alyssa Calaby - Barwon Valley 1st, Bryoni Butler - Barwon Valley 3rd, Lucinda Doodt - Ballarat 4th and Edwina Sedgwick - Barwon Valley 6th. The Barwon Valley Team finished in 2nd place.

The State Games, Flat and Musical Ride Teams Championship was again held at Bacchus Marsh, with good weather and plenty of keen riders. Barwon Zone was well represented with; 3 Games Teams, 4 Flat Teams and 4 Musical Ride Teams. BarwonValleyplaced 4th in the Flat Teams and 2nd in the Musical Ride, Bacchus Marsh finished 5th in the Games.

The State Inter Zone Horse Trials Championship, in July, was well supported by 26 very enthusiastic Barwon Zone Riders, all well prepared and ready for the challenge of riding at WerribeePark. In Grade 3: the “Barwon Extreme” finished 4th and in Grade 4: “Barwon Bratz Composite” in 1st place. In a very close finish Barwon Zone were overall winners by one point.

Riders from Smythesdale and Bacchus Marsh competed in the Prince Phillip Mounted Games Series. In the final of the Series held at Mornington, Barwon Zone had 3 riders in the winning Senior Team – Aaron Megson – Bacchus Marsh, Jemima Christie and Jasmine Rodda – Smythesdale. Kristine Megson – Bacchus Marsh was in the Junior Team and finished in 5th place.

Barwon Zone is going to be well represented at the Nationals with 3 Dressage Riders, 4 Event Riders and 1 Rider in the Show Jumping. All riders have worked hard to achieve selection and are looking forward to competing as members of the State Team.

Colac, BarwonValley and Corio/Moorabool Clubs have all reached a significant milestone in the past 12 months; reaching and celebrating their 50th Anniversary.

Barwon Valley Pony Club hosted the, State Coaching Clinic. The day was well supported and very beneficial.

It has been with much sadness that Barwon Zone has lost a valuable member of our Pony Club Community; Pam Whitten. Pam was a Life Member of the Barwon Valley Pony Club and the Barwon Zone. Pam was awarded the PCAV Distinguished Service Award in 2010. Pam was always willing to help at all levels of the Pony Club movement and will be sadly missed.

Thanks to Maxene Argento and the D.C.I. & Z.A. Panel who have had a very busy year visiting clubs, organising, examining and assessing riders for B, K, C* & C Certificates, and planning clinics. Their hard work and support is appreciated by the clubs and riders.

I would like to finish by thanking the; Barwon Zone Executive, Clubs, Members, Parents and Volunteers for their support and friendship throughout the year. Your endless work and commitment has been invaluable, Thank-you.

Deirdre Davey

Barwon Zone Representative.