The Monaro Equestrian Association (MEA) was literally blown away at its spring dressage competition held on the Cooma Showgrounds last week. The windy weather picked up in the afternoon to near gale force. This made it difficult for horses and riders, particularly when the dressage arenas were dismantled by the wind and tumbled across the arena as the horses were performing. Nevertheless, the show went on and apart from the wind, the riders and organisers had an enjoyable day. At the presentations, special recognition was given to horse and riders which the Monaro Equestrian Association committee is encouraging in dressage. Although MEA is an adult riding club, juniors are encouraged to compete alongside the adults. MEA’s junior riders on Saturday included Josephine Neilson, Annie Morris, Eloise Oliver and Indiana Burke. The top scoring junior on the day was Indiana from Bungendore who was riding her two horses LV Riverslea and Rubins MJS. The equibility award which has been introduced to encourage Para riders was won by Vicki Buckley from Wolumla on her pony Lukey. The two awards recognising horses rather than their riders are for the Brumbies and off-the-track. Horses from both groups have had a previous career and are now competing in dressage. Off-the-track thoroughbreds are those which have been retired from racing and are adapting to dressage in their new lives. The four off-the-tracks in the spring dressage were scratched on the day with three of them busy instead competing in showjumping at Moruya over the weekend. Paddington Bear, the highest scoring Brumby, owned and ridden by Sue Wallace was originally captured from the Bago area at only nine months-old. She was first handled and broken in by MEA member, Skye McCoullough, who was in her early teens at the time. Full results of the day were Class 1 Prep 1, First Sue Wallace, PADDINGTON BEAR, 71.00, second Louise Curzon, DOROTHY DOOLITTLE , 67.00, third Eloise Oliver, WORANORA CHANCELLOR, 61.33, fourth Annie Morris, WORANORA SAPPHIRE, 58.67 Class 2 Prep 2, First Sue Wallace, PADDINGTON BEAR, 68.67, second Louise Curzon, DOROTHY DOOLITTLE , 65.00, third Craig Johnson, RUEBEN , 63.67, fourth Vicki Buckley, LUKEY, 63.33, fifth Annie Morris, WORANORA SAPPHIRE, 58.33, sixth Eloise Oliver, WORANORA CHANCELLOR, 51.33 Class 3, Prelim 1.1, First Alison Cox, ELSEY, 65.20, second Shannon Plowright, BALLYMOUNT EVE, 64.00, third Isabel Widdison, WEEMALA HEARTS N STARS, 63.20, fourth Sandi Frolich, WEEMALA MIGHTY MARY, 62.60 Class4 Prelim 1.2, First Alison Cox, ELSEY, 70.71, second Shannon Plowright, BALLYMOUNT EVE, 63.21, third Isabel Widdison, WEEMALA HEARTS N STARS, 62.32, fourth Josephine Neilson, KIANGATHA LADY MILLION, 55.36, fifth Sandi Frolich, WEEMALA MIGHTY MARY 54.64 Class 6 Novice 2.1 First Indiana Burke, LV RIVERSLEA, 70.39, second Isabel Widdison, WEEMALA COUGAR, 61.73, third Polly Barron, PILATUS FOXTROT, 58.46, fourth Sandi Frolich, WEEMALA MIGHTY MO, 58.08 Class 6 Novice 2.2 First Isabel Widdison, WEEMALA COUGAR, 62.81, second Sandi Frolich, WEEMALA MIGHTY MO, 61.72, third Polly Barron, PILATUS FOXTROT, 60.31 Class 8 OC Novice 2.2, First Indiana Burke, LV RIVERSLEA, 70.31 Class 11 Medium 4.1, First, Kim Kleven, WINDERMERE LOST MY SOCK, 63.33, second Indiana Burke, RUBINZ MJS, 61.25 Class 12 OC Medium 4.2, First Kim Kleven, WINDERMERE LOST MY SOCK, 63.38 Class 13 Equibility Level 1 V First, Vicki Buckley, LUKEY, 65.29, second, Craig Johnson, RUEBEN , 63.82
