Nicole Evison riding Calboys Lil Miss. Photos: Megan Fisher
Photo by
Megan Fisher
In a showcase of skill and harmony between horse and rider, a thrilling horse reining event took place at the Tatura Park Exhibition and Events Complex at the weekend.
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Equestrian enthusiasts from far and wide gathered to engage in a remarkable display of horsemanship, with 122 horses entered into the four-day event.
The Hi Form Water Wheel Reining Classic hosted by Goulburn Valley Reining Horse Association began on Wednesday, May 17, and finished on Saturday, May 20.
GVRHA president Todd McCormick said horse events meant so much more when they reflected the town they were held in, and as Tatura was commonly known as “water wheel country’’, so the water wheel classic was born.
The inside of the centre had stalls selling clothes, hats, stirrups, saddles and more while coffee, snacks and lunch options lined the outside.
The events that made up the four-day competition included derbies, The Run For A Million qualifiers and futurities.
The classic hosted competitors from South Australia, NSW, Queensland and beyond, and welcomed horse competition judge from Arizona in the United States, Ben Balow.
This year marks the second time Mr Balow has judged for the water wheel classic, and he was just as thrilled as he was last year.
“I kind of fell in love with the landscape, fell in love with the people,” he said.
“I'd like to thank Todd McCormick for doing such a good job and running this show and getting the enthusiasm back into it.”
GVRHA president Todd McCormick.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Mr McCormick said the event was great for the area and to keep the sport thriving.
“It’s great to have kind of a high-profile event in the area,” he said.
“The judge (Ben Balow) even made comment that he’s seen improvement since last year and a lot of the competitors and that’s so good to know.”
RESULTS
Keiran Moses riding Finallygotagunner placed first in the Open class with a score of 73.5.
Melissa Johnson riding Blacks Back In qualified for The Run For A Million held in Las Vegas, Nevada with a score of 67.
Dakota Rawson-Harris riding Destined To Be Stylish placed first in the Youth Derby with a score of 72.
Annette Massmann riding Ruf Lil Acres placed first in the GVRHA Green Reiner with a score of 69.
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