Championships a soaring success

SOME of the most talented riders descended on Mortlake for the Western Victoria Showjumping Championships this month.

Some of the best riders across the region and beyond descended on Mortlake.

The Caramut Riding Club hosted its premier annual event over the March 7-9 long weekend.

Club president Leah Teal said she could not have been happier with how the weekend unfolded.

“Everything went really well,” she said.

“It was a successful weekend with good entries.

“People were coming from Gippsland, the South Australian border and the usual catchment of western Victorian riders as well.

“It was a good mix.”

Mrs Teal said those who work diligently behind the scenes were a big part of the event’s ongoing success.

Caramut Riding Club members were thrilled with the success of the weekend.

“The grounds at Mortlake are excellent for jumping,” she said.

“Our groundskeeper, Tim Haworth, has put nearly 40 years of work into the surface to keep it up to scratch.

“I think that’s part of the reason we can draw so many competitors, with Tim as a course builder.

“A lot of people like riding his courses, which keeps people coming back.”

The laid-back atmosphere also provides a boost, attracting riders not only interested in the quality of competition but also as avid fans of the sport themselves.

“We’ve also got Grand Prix jumping up to 1.45m, but we keep it all relaxed as a competition,” Mrs Teal said.

“Only having the one ring is helpful – a lot of places have two or three jumping at the same time, which gets pretty hectic, but coming to Mortlake keeps it nice and calm.

“With one ring, people can sit around and enjoy watching as well as competing themselves.

“It’s a really nice atmosphere.”