NSW Newcomer's Showjumping Championships

31st October to 1st November 2009

The Australian Newcomer's Championships 2009 were held at the National Equine & Livestock Exhibition at AELEC in Tamworth, so we were excited to hold the inaugural NSW Newcomer's Showjumping Championships at Mount White.

For the first time ever, the weekend weather was fabulous - and we did not have to postpone. The arena looked wonderful - thanks to Christy & Angela (our working pupils) who did lots of jump painting - and thanks also to Linda Martin - who painted, organized more fill to be made, sponsored and was generally hugely helpful. We had a wonderful bunch of sponsors - as this year we decided to give hampers as first prizes, along with the most beautifuyl Luckyness bracelets and copious amounts of wine & beer for the minor placings.

Arena view from bank up to practice paddock.

The winner of the Master's Class on Sunday was Jill Hawker pictured here with the Smart Rider Breakaway Stirrup Hamper. 2nd placing to Trish Cselko, 3rd to Linda Martin & 4th Place to Jacquie Thompson.

The prize tent looked absolutely fabulous. The following people donated the best hampers & baskets ever:

Thanks to:

Trish Cselko - Data Imaging Solutions Corporation for the NSW Newcomer's Champion 2009 rug: Won by Nic Carraro - pictured below with Trish Cselko presenting the rug & sash.

Nic also won the NSW Newcomer's Speed class - he rode better than ever before. We all knew it was because the Strawberry Hill Stud/Blue Tongue Beer hamper was up for grabs - hats, t-shirts, glasses, can coolers - and TWO CARTONS OF BEER!!

Stable 8 - Kimberlye Jones stable 8 eqine design - awesome basket of goodies, and also the designer & manufacturer of our prize rugs. Special thanks for running up the Master's Champion rug at the last minute!

Luckyness - Jo Flint: luckyness jewellery - super funky bracelets & lucky crystals

Michelle - Hooked On Flowers - for the great flowers

Karen Higgins - winner of the Super Masters Championships for 2009. L to R - Jacquie Thompson presenting the ribbon, Michelle from Hooked on Flowers with the bouquet, and Billy helping out with the hamper from Sue Knox - Yirrkala Stud.

Above: Bonnie Martin - NSW Newcomer's Grand Prix winner with her awesome flowers.

Barton Lawler & Kerrie Miljoen - Glenworth Valley - plant pot full of great gift vouchers for adventures at Glenworth - as well as wine & goodies.

Nan & Bill Shugg - for their ongoing support - the NSW Newcomers Grand Prix Hamper & the wine for minor placings.

Peter & Nicole from Smart Rider - Breakaway Safety Stirrups

Michael & Cathy Cooke - Michael Cooke Garden Design - their hamper was beautifully targeted to the 'non gardener' - wall art and cactus plants (Vicki Roycroft won this prize - and even she won't be able to kill it)

Rod & Cathy Brown from Equus Australia - lessons with Rod are always coveted.

The most fun hamper to win was donated by Jenny & Graham Carraro - "The Carraro Chook & Fruit Hamper" - truly - frozen organic home grown chooks & fruit from the Carraro farm.

Linda, Bryan & Bonnie Martin from Wizardry signs not only supplied new jumps, helped organize and generally were teriffic, but they also donated 2nd and 4th prizes for all classes on Saturday - and a super hamper full of bathroom goodies - towels, soaps etc.

Bonnie Martin - winner of the NSW Newcomer's Grand Prix receiving her hamper from Bill Shugg.

Jacquie Thompson (pictured above competing in the Master's - where she placed 4th) along with Lynn Muirhead were a great help pencilling and timing.

Freya Scollay jumping, with the 'working crew' in the background. Top back - Sue Ruff pencilling for our judge Fiona MacLeod - Krissy sitting on the tray of the truck, Ollie Rickards below her with Brian & Wilbur Harris (large puppies), and Flossie who helped pick up rails on the right.

It was great to have David Lawrence once again to build our courses, and Lyn MacLeod to judge on Sunday. The Calga/Mount White bush fire brigade did a great job catering which kept us all happy.

John Cooper - above - was very happy winning a class - Pip, his wife was even happier, as he won the Montaze Boutique gift voucher. A big thanks to Tracey for donating it. Montaze is located at 10 Church Street Terrigal -just the place for us Central Coast girls to go for lunch and a bit of a shop!

Also thanks to Nature Vet Direct, who provided samples of their Outback Vet range of medicated shampoos for all our place hampers.

AND THE WINNERS WERE:

Class 1 - Master's 40cm Clear Rounds - Congratulations to everyone who competed.

Class 2 - Super Master's A2 - Jenny Carraro & Zeal

Class 3 - Vicki Roycroft - Strutter's Ball

Class 4: NSW Newcomer's Speed - Nic Carraro - Columbo

Class 5 - D Grade - John Cooper & Sourthern Son

Class 6 - 1.20m AM5 - John Cooper - Royal Masquerade

Class 7 - Master's Perfect Time - Jill Hawker on Bonus Harley

Class 8 - Super Master's Grand Prix - Karen Higgins - Magnum Star Blaze

Super Master's Champion 2009 - Karen Higgins - Magnum Star Blaze

Class 9: NSW Newcomer's Grand Prix - Bonnie Martin - Top Lady R

NSW Newcomer's Champion 2009 - Nic Carraro - Columbo

Class 10 - D Grade - John Cooper - Appreciation

Class 11 - Open 1.20/30 AM5 - Vicki Roycroft - NP Cougar

Class 12 - 90/1m AM5 - Grace Long - Tess

Thanks to the competitors, who make our day as organizers enjoyable!

From Krissy & Heath -

Cheers, Respect & see you all again next year!!