UNFORTUNATELY, the Tonimbuk Horse Trials was significantly affected by the huge storm that hit Victoria on Saturday afternoon.
The morning commenced in brilliant sunshine and the dressage sections were in full swing until later in the afternoon, when reports were received of damaging winds, hail and torrential rain.
The reports proved correct.
At about 4.15pm, the organising committee warned all competitors and spectators that the competition would be suspended due to the oncoming storm.
The sky turned a deep charcoal colour, and with thunder and lightning ringing around the Tonimbuk hills, torrential rain, hail and strong wind pounded the area for the best part of an hour.
Fortunately no one - including horses - was hurt in the storm, but the 50mm of rain washed away several tracks on the cross-country course and made the flat open country too soggy underfoot to allow the cross country to be conducted on Sunday.
The electricity supply to the venue was also lost for a long period, which delayed the use of the two indoor arenas and threw the event timetable into disarray.
The organising committee decided to rearrange the event to a combined training competition of just dressage and showjumping.
The full prize money was awarded to placegetters based on their dressage test and showjumping round.
In the CIC three star class, South Australian Wendy Shaeffer riding Koyuna Sun Magic and Koyuna Sun Dancer took out first and second place, with Emily Anker from Wandin North riding Balmoral Cavalier taking out third place.
Victorian rider Katja Weimann on Pluto Mio won the CIC two star section from South Australian rider Megan Jones riding Westbury Park Irish Grove, followed by Seumas Marwood from Pakenham riding Wild Oats.
Organising committee representative David Young thanked everyone for their help and promised a bigger and more exciting event for next year.
Melbourne showhjumping
THE Melbourne Showjumping Club's annual championships were held at the Oaklands Hunt Club at Greenvale, just north of Melbourne, on Saturday.
A perfect autumn day was quickly interrupted by Saturday afternoon's storm.
Luckily the jumping competitions were finalised.
David Sheppard from Ballarat and Amanda Day from Kilmore designed the courses for the two jumping arenas.
They used the club's international special equipment to create attractive and inviting courses.
Melissa Froesch from Broadford was first and second in the main championship class riding War Penny and Glenara Bollinger.
Other winners in the main arena were Ingrid Weymouth from Oaklands riding Snowline, Stuart Abrahams from Shepparton riding Holmwood Riverland and Stuart Ferguson from Tatura riding Villain.
Arena two saw wins to Katherine McQuade from Drummond riding Dylan, Jackie Kerry from Broadmeadows riding Dulkanina Ranger and Megan Grant from Greensborough riding Ollie.
Shelley Harris from Darraweit Guim won the senior equitation championship riding her lovely chestnut gelding Duke.
Tayla Childs from Greenvale won the Junior Equitation Championship riding Balena Tosca. It would appear the riding genes were passed on from her father, Greg Childs, a Victorian former top jockey.
