Scots All Saints College Equestrian team took 20 riders and 25 horses to compete at the North West Equestrian Expo in Coonabarabran from 31 May to 3 June.
‘Coona’, as it is fondly called, didn’t let us down with some very wet and cold weather, but that did not dampen the fun. We missed a few riders who had some bad luck in the weeks prior (with either them or their horse sustaining injuries) and had to pull out, which was disappointing to them and the team. Huntah, Fraser and Eliza, we look forward to you being back on board in 2025!
With 480 horses and around 120 schools, it is always a busy five days of competition. We competed in a wide array of events, including eventing, combined training, working horse challenge, polocrosse, showjumping, dressage, sporting, Warrumbungle Way, pentathlon, team barrels, team hunt, and expo gymkhana. The performances of our riders were exceptional, with every rider experiencing success, whether it was from personal bests or being awarded ribbons.
We were very grateful that Mr Ford came up to experience ‘Coona’ firsthand. He was able to see just about all riders doing an event and witnessed the great polocrosse nights (all be it a little chilly), our riders warming up for cross country and the spectacle of 6 bar!
There were so many awards it would be impossible to mention them all, but special congratulations must go to Marni Thompson, who took out the Champion Pony in the hacking classes and to Georgina Culley, who won the Reserve Champion 80 cm Showjumper. Both Marni and Georgina have been working hard and attending lessons run at the Equestrian Centre.
Eventing (Dressage, Showjumping, and Cross Country) and Combined Training (Dressage and Showjumping) are events just about every rider participates in. Just about all our riders placed in the top 10 in these events. They work very hard practising at lessons at the College Equestrian Centre, and their work has paid off. Congratulations to all riders.
Our polocrosse teams are always very competitive, and we are so appreciative of all the time Bruce Webb puts into coaching them prior to the event and then his support at the event. We entered four teams with our two Division 1 C grade teams making the finals.
It was an exciting game when both our teams had to play it off for third and fourth positions. Not only from the same school, but some sibling rivalry was seen at its best with Gracie and George Morse playing number 1 and 3, meaning Gracie was defending against George – what amazing defence she showed, but in the end, George and his horse, Dora, got passed and scored. An Australian coach commented on the amazing skill Gracie exhibited. Well done Gracie! We also had Philippa Webb and Annabelle Webb fighting it out on opposing teams, and they showed amazing skill. Our Division 2 players also had some fantastic games and showed that they will be teams to watch in the future.
For a few of our riders, it was their first-ever experience at Coona – it is a little bit of a shock for all first-timers – but this did not stop them from having a ball and being very successful. Annabel Sim is relatively new to riding, and she did a tremendous job in the preliminary dressage, taking out fourth overall in her division.
Mikaylee Graf, Lily McKiernan and Scarlett Ray, again all first-timers, worked as a team and, in the team penning, placed eleventh out of over 30 teams. Hugh Cleton on his forever reliable Brandy, took out seventh place in his Combined Training.
The 6-bar event (where riders must take on six vertical jumps with two strides between them, and they get higher as they go) is always popular and a great spectacle. We entered a team, and our team of Tess Worland, Minna Poole, Georgina Culley and Lottie Telford did extremely well, placing eighth out of approximately 40 teams. Tess Worland must be congratulated for making the final round in this event. The final jump was huge!
Showjumping Day, which is held on the Monday, is something our riders have worked very hard for. We had many riders move up a level from last year. As mentioned, Georgina Culley was very consistent, placing in both events in the showjumping and taking out Reserve Champion. We had amazing rounds by all riders, Seona Chapman, Annabelle Webb, Lucy Cleton and Georgina Webb had some beautiful rounds with our coach, Jen Wood saying how proud of them she was, Minna Poole jumped the ‘big’ tracks and showed great skill,  and special mention to Victoria Wythes whose mare can be a little ‘moody’ at times – jumped some super calm and accurate rounds. Tess Worland jumped in the 95cm class, and she and ‘Slim’ had an exceptional round in the speed class. Jen said the round of the day would have to be Annabelle Webb in the speed round, and she placed second in this class.
Another great team event is the Team Hunt. This is where a team of four riders are judged on presentation and the ability to take on a course (jumping) in sections (meaning in pairs and teams of four) – it is not as easy as it sounds – they are judged on how synchronised they are – there were approximately 30 teams, and we had two teams in it – our teams did exceptionally well and took out both second and fourth place. The judges spoke very highly of both teams and said our team of Annie Triggs, Gracie Morse, Lucy Cleton (and Annie’s sister Sybil Triggs) were one of the happiest teams she witnessed and also said that our other team of Brooke Davies, Minna Poole, Tess Worland and Lottie Telford showed tremendous precision.
In the hacking section there is an event called Most Suitable Expo Mount. In this event the horse and rider must do a series of tasks including cracking a whip, playing a polocrosse ball, doing turns on haunches etc. Not surprisingly, Lucy Cleton on Mocha and Gracie Morse on Bronson both placed first in this class. Gracie and Lucy then went in the ‘pairs’ class together and took out second place.
The Warrumbungle’s Way is like a stockman’s challenge – we have many of our riders enter this event. George Morse was successful and took out fourth place.
The Working Horse Challenge is again a popular event and hotly contested and to make the final in this is an achievement in itself! Annie Triggs, Lucy Cleton, Lottie Telford and Gracie Morse all made the finals with Gracie taking out fourth place after a beautiful workout and Lucy Cleton taking out fifth place.
Just about all school enter a team of four in the ‘Team of 4 Riders’ – Our ‘senior team’ with Brooke Davies, Minna Poole, Tess Worland and Lottie Telford were exceptional and ended making the champion class! It was wonderful to watch them all dressed up in our College equestrian uniform and riding with tremendous unison.
Our Year 12 Riders, Brooke Davies, Victoria Wythes, Philippa Webb and Lottie Telford have always been great role models and their leadership and mentorship is always so greatly appreciated. They will be missed by the entire team as will their parents who are always great contributors to the event.
Special thanks to the riders – you have all worked very hard and made a great commitment, and your results are evidence of this – week in and week out, you work hard, and your progress and achievements have been a joy to watch. Your support of each other and the way you work as a team is inspirational – it makes me very proud to stand back and watch you represent the College with such pride!
Special thanks to all of the parents – you also have made a huge commitment, your support of the program and support whilst at Coona has been amazing. Thanks for all of your fun around our campfire!
Special thanks to Paul Chapman – Paul set up our camp for us and is always there to help! We are so appreciative Paul!
Special thanks to Peter Telford for providing us with all of our firewood yet again.
Special thanks to Sal Morse, Jen Cleton and Sarah Triggs for organising our wonderful team dinner!
Special thanks to our coaches—we are blessed to have all of them on our team: Jennifer Wood (Showjump coach), Sarah Farraway (Dressage coach), Emma Boland (Working Horse Challenge Coach), and Bruce Webb (Polocrosse Coach) for all of your help prior to and whilst at Coona. The students are very lucky to have you all, and the progression I have witnessed is just amazing!
Special thanks to Jennifer Wood for taking the time to attend Coona and support our team. We are very lucky to have Jen on our team, she is a very sort after coach and an extremely successful rider herself.
Extra special thanks to Bruce Inwood for all of the work he does in maintaining the equestrian centre – each and every week he is grading the arena so it is in top form for our students, fixing fences, washing water troughs, maintaining paddocks – we are so very grateful to you!
Special thanks to the school – the support of the school in terms of our equestrian program (facilities and the program itself) has allowed our riders to follow their passions and represent the school successfully.
Mrs Libby Dawes, Director of Agricultural Studies and Equestrian
