A cross country clinic will be held at Belltrees Cross Country Course Broomfield, Gundy Road, GUNDY. This will be last opportunity to school the Belltrees course in 2010

The Instructors will be Craig Barrett (NSWIS Squad Coach), Jennifer Irvine-Brown (NCAS Level 2) and Karen Irwin (NCAS Level 1). All have experience at riding 3*& 4* level. There will be a max of 4 riders per group with a 2 hour cross country lesson each day. All ages and levels will be catered for

All enquiries contact Karen 0438 700 343, kirwin@austarnet.com.au or click here

The Gavin Gidley Baird Memorial Award

Scone Horse Trials is proud to commence the annual Gavin Gidley-Baird Memorial Award, which will be presented to the best-conditioned horse from the One Star classes, judged by veterinarian Cate Plummer.

This award aims to recognise the long-time contribution of Gavin Gidley-Baird (1945 – 2008) as a supporter of Scone Horse Trials, not only in a veterinary capacity but also as the parent of young riders.

Dr Gidley-Baird established the Gidley-Baird & Associates veterinary practice in Muswellbrook more than 40 years ago, after graduating from Queensland University. Over the years he gained widespread respect all sectors of the equine industry for his great love of breeding, racing, and horses in general.

Oakgate Rising Stars

The Oakgate Rising Stars Eventing Sponsorship Program has been established by Oakgate in conjunction with Eventing NSW to encourage eligible riders to progress to one star level. For full details click here and for a nomination form click here

Action Packed Weekend - courtesy of the Scone Advocate

SPECTATORS are welcome at the second annual Scone Jump Club gala weekend at White Park on March 7 and 8 with more than 200 riders competing over two action packed days.

Club president Marcia Williamson said there would be about 175 rounds of jumping on Saturday and about 50 on Sunday when jump club links with the Upper Hunter Dressage Association to run a combined training competition.

Elite riders including Sam Lyle, Craig and Prue Barrett, Ali Foye and Blair and Nikki Richardson will be seen in action along with plenty of local entries.

“The lower classes have been very popular, it is early in the eventing season and a lot of young horses are coming out for the first time,” Williamson said.

“We are delighted with the level of interest we have gotten, and we quite lucky to have gotten date that is a week before the Mt Arthur Coal Scone Horse Trials,” Williamson said.

“Our competition will help a lot of local riders prepare for what is going to be quite a big event.”

Scone Horse Trials welcomes Mt Arthur Coal as major sponsor

AUSTRALASIA'S top event riders are expected to make a beeline for Scone next month with Scone Horse Trials announcing a lucrative five-year sponsorship deal with Mt Arthur Coal.

Scone Horse Trials President, Margot White, said she was thrilled that Mt Arthur Coal had agreed to support the long-established club with a five year naming rights alliance.

The package enables Scone Horse Trials to offer outstanding prizemoney for its events held twice yearly at Broomfield, just north of Gundy.

Scone Horse Trials is preparing for a one day event on March 14 and 15 ahead of a second event in spring. "The funds so generously provided by Mt Arthur Coal will go directly to prizemoney to enable us to continue to attract top riders as well as up and coming young riders," Mrs White said.

The package means Scone Horse Trials can offer $30,000 prizemoney annually. The March event will have a prize pool of $7000 for the Three Star class, $3,000 for the two star class, and $1500 for the one star class, and above average prizemoney in the unofficial grades. "We hope that by attracting more riders in the upper grades, we will be able to ensure that entry continues to be accessible for juniors and riders in the lower grades," she said. "Eventing is unique in that it is a sport where junior riders and amateur riders compete alongside Olympians. We want to encourage young riders in our district with the hope of creating future Olympians," Mrs White said. She pointed out that the Upper Hunter has traditionally produced outstanding equestrians. "In a time when a lot of country events are struggling to remain viable, we are now on really solid ground with the support of Mt Arthur Coal and we are looking forward to working with them to keep running high quality events in regional areas," she said.

“Scone Horse Trials is fortunate to have such a fabulous naming rights alliance and along with the support of our traditional sponsors such as Marsh Carney Saddleworld and the continued generosity of the landowners we are excited about our future events,” Mrs White said.

“It is wonderful to see a local company, such as Mt Arthur Coal, committed to supporting local community projects and activities, particularly those where a long term partnership can be developed, and we are immensely excited about the potential of our partnership," Mrs White said.

Nail-biting action at Scone Horse Trials

Beijing Olympic aspirants including the highly-accomplished athlete Christopher Burton fine-tuned their performances at the Scone International Horse Trials held at Broomfield at Gundy over the weekend.

Burton, who is already qualified for the Olympics, dominated aboard 12-year-old Newsprint, winning the Mitavite Three Star event.