EQUESTRIAN VAULTING AUSTRALIA​​​

K Ranch Arena, Mount Hunter, was the place to be on the weekend 3-4 December, to see the Christmas Vaulting celebrations and competition, Vaulting with the Cowboys.

 

Record numbers of entries from NSW, ACT, WA, VIC and QLD with spectacular performances in colourful uniforms choreographed to fun music, delighted the audience.

Mick and Kate Kearney, K Ranch Arena owners, continue to upgrade this equestrian facility creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for families and friends. The arena looked amazing, decorated with the vibrant foliage of the Australian natives kindly donated by our loyal sponsor Wariapendi Native Nursery, Colo Vale.

 

The Open class winner, Ruth Skrzypek, vaulting on Comic Symphony lunged by Bronwen Lowe from National Equestrian Centre, ACT. Our Queensland vaulter Morgan Spary vaulted on WP Cognac lunged by Kerri Wilson, delighted the audience with her Grease routine taking out 2nd place in the Open class, having made a huge comeback from serious injury. Emily Jones vaulted on W F Indigo lunged by Nicole Connor for a commendable third place, vaulting at the highest level.  The technical test, a freestyle including compulsory and testing vaulting skills, was an awesome event and a thrill to watch was taken out by Morgan Spary, Kingfisher Qld, vaulting on W P Cognac.

 

Bella Napthali, 12 years of age, was the youngest in the Advanced class which included many seasoned vaulters,. She did not disappoint with her Queen of Hearts routine, winning hearts and taking out the top award in this hotly contested class. Bella vaulted on WP Cognac lunged by Kerri Wilson.

 

Intermediate trophy went to Martine Fogg from Hunter Valley Vaulting on Tuffrock Cruise lunged by Sharna Kirkham  and the Southern Highlands’ Charlotte Lee took to the arena, jumping a grade, to compete at intermediate level with a cute Christmas routine, taking out 2nd place.

 

The Champion Novice male was Kiernan Halliday all the way from WA vaulting on Kingston Legato lunged by Lyn Lynch

 

The Female Novice class won by Southern Highlands vaulter Claire Stevens on W P Cognac giving us her PB performance and had the audience twisting in time. Tegan Davis won the Female Novice in under 14yrs group with a great score vaulting on WF Indigo.

 

The Prenovice class was proudly and convincingly won by Breanna Trappel from Hunter Valley on Tuffrock Cruise lunged by Sharna Kirkham.

 

Southern Highlands’ Preliminary  vaulters, Sophia Pernice as Pocahontas blew us away with her strong performance and Ella Finn gave it everything and both achieved PB scores and blue ribbons vaulting on Baiberraley Rules lunged by Karen Mitchell.  Veritas’ vaulter Madelaine Ohare scored well in the Third Preliminary class to take home the blue ribbon vaulting on W F Indigo lunged by Nicole Connor.

 

The Intermediate pas de deux, which is performed at canter, was won by Ginger Kennett and cousin Eden Kautz on the beautiful Donati 3 lunged by Georgie Kennett.  Southern Highlands topped off a great day with Rachael Mackey and Charlotte Lee winning the popular Pas de Deux as the Grinch and group 2 winners from Riverina Equiste Vaulters, Annabelle Hall and India Gready vaulting on Game On lunged by Sarah Venamore.

 

The squads from Hunter Valley and National Equestrian Centre took home the blue ribbons while Riverina Equiste Vaulters, Southern Highlands, Bathurst and  Sydney Vaulting Group showed the audience some great team work working with their horse and lungers.

Many laughs and super routines were presented on the barrels to keep the cowboy Christmas spirit upbeat.

 

The weekend was a great celebration of vaulting friendships and team work made possible by many,  many volunteers and our generous and loyal sponsors. Thank you Wariapendi Native Nursery, Mojo Australia, Coleman and Crane Accountants, Campbell Jones Property, Kirribilli Marina, Leslie and Beryl Crane, Ivona Richter, Alpha Dog Beds, Samuel Noakes Photographer, K Ranch Arena, Hayden Equestrian, Cobb and Co Equestrian and Cadburys Chocolates.

 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Kerri Wilson and the Southern Highlands Vaulting Team

 

Save the Date

7-9 April, 2017 to see our next vaulting competition at K Ranch Arena.

An international event, Southern Cross CVI3*, Mount Hunter, the second event in the Australian Southern Cross Vaulting Series.

Kerri Wilson, Southern Highlands Vaulting Team

 

Visit Samual Noakes Photographers for some great shots of the weekends activities.

http://samuelnoakesphotographics.com/vaulting-with-the-cowboys-2016/

 

Gillian Burns photos in Dropbox for Friday of competition. Barrels only

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/2i1jkig0ey8nl1s/AABw1aqNBvxxgI116KkouK6va?dl=0