By Callum Ludwig
Wandin Park Riding Club for Adults (RAC) recently hosted a showjumping competition, proudly sponsored by Seville’s The Saddlery Shop.
The horse-riding club has been a long-standing community feature, hosting rallies once a month for Dressage, Showjumping/Poles or Cross Country.
President Anita Nathan said it was a really successful day.
“We thought numbers would be pretty low and they were probably double what we anticipated, which was great, and it ran pretty smoothly. There were no issues and no falls thank goodness, and people had a good day,” she said.
“Numbers are down a bit across the board at the moment, including ours, we are down from about 70 members to somewhere in the fifties, but we still have a lot of regular people coming back to the rallies each month.”
The rallies are held on the first Sunday each month at Wandin Park, 305 Victoria Rd Gruyere.
Ms Nathan said it’s very important for aspiring riders to have the opportunity to get involved.
“Any event takes a lot to organise, and a lot of people to help on the day but as a club, you definitely have to run stuff, if you don’t then no one gets to get out and about and do these things,” she said.
“We try to hold one event every year, and next year may be dressage or showjumping again, but you put in the hours and get the rewards in the participation of those people who want to be involved.”
Award winners at the showjumping event were as follows: Level 5 winner Christina Demers. Level 4, Deborah Frier and Mikayla Perceval; Level 3 Erica Foden and Ose Siewertsen; Level 2 Tara McDonald and Ethan Height and Level 1 Della Hughson and Danni McKeen.
The Saddlery Shop owner Kim Anning said she has been a member and sponsor of the club for many years.
“It’s a special one for me and I enjoy raising awareness of the shop out there in the equestrian community. It’s good to provide some incentive for the riders so they win a prize,” she said.
“Things have been incredibly difficult, obviously, with the lockdown situation, and all clubs rely on these events. It’s their only real way of raising funds and getting money in the bank to keep the club going. Everyone’s keen to get back in action after being off for so long.”
The Saddlery Shop has been sponsoring the Wandin Park RCA for nearly ten years.
More information on the Wandin Park RCA can be found on their website, including rally dates, competitions and costs: www.wandinparkrca.webs.com/
