Events / News
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DECEMBER 2009 APOB NEWSLETTER

CONTENTS on this page
  • BRISBANE ROYAL 2010 - Supreme Australian Pony - Koorana Royal Ambition
  • FOAL SHOWS
  • APOB Dressage Day report



APOB  "Open Pony Dressage Championships"
Held on Saturday 27th March, 2010 at Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre

Well, another Australian Pony Owners & Breeders Open Pony Dressage Championships has come and gone. And yes – it was another great day.
I would take this opportunity to thank our very generous sponsors who make the day possible.

A good number of our sponsors have been with us on the 8 year journey that is the APO&B Open Pony Dressage Championships, to help make Pony Dressage a reality in this State – and indeed, in Australia, but at the same time, enable us to keep the day as a ‘no pressure’, enjoyable and affordable family day that can be enjoyed by all members of the family. It is great to see parents and their children competing at the same event, and at times competing against each other, in the same Tests or Sections.

Our major sponsor is Kohnke’s Own, who are manufacturers of an extensive range of Equine Nutritional Supplements and Health Care Products. John and Kaye Kohnke have been staunch supporters of APO&B and of this competition. Their support and encouragement has enabled us to provide prizes of the highest quality to our winners and other place-getters for the last eight years. These prizes are keenly sought after by our competitors, and indeed are much appreciated by them.

Another of our major sponsors is MDC & Associates – Insurance Brokers. When we first ‘floated the idea’ of this competition, John Smith said without hesitation – ‘count me in’! He has been ‘in’ ever since, with considerable financial support, for which we are most grateful.

Horsewyse Magazine, through the Editor, Vicki Sach and her mother Shirley Clifford, has also supported us and the ‘Tiny Tots’ since the inception of this competition. Vicki has generously provided us with Horsewyse Showbags for EVERY ‘Tiny Tot’ competitor to enter since the beginning in 2002. We have appreciated their support, as have the children who have been the recipients of Vicki’s generosity over the years.

Back in 2002, when were we trying to get some ‘oxygen’ for this event, Sandy Morphett of Eques Magazine and Eques Forum came to our assistance, allowing us to promote the event on the extremely popular Eques Forum. This support has been ongoing ever since.

It is also necessary to express our gratitude to Moorooduc Park Pony Stud, Marion Costello & Heather Green, who have also been strong financial supporters over the years, as well as having a physical presence on the day providing the catering for our officials.

It would be remiss of me if I were not to acknowledge all our other sponsors of the event. Every sponsor is valued by me and by my committee, as without their help, we could not continue.

Coprice, Laucke Mills, Australian Pony Owners & Breeders, Welsh Pony & Cob Society, APSB New Forest Pony Owners & Breeders Group, Waveleigh Australian Pony Stud, Emont Park Pony Stud, Mithril Pony Stud, Kimberley Park Welsh Ponies, Scott Family Law, Janola Arabians and Riding Accessories, Equino Riding Wear & Accessories, Koo Wee Rup Stockfeeds, Garfield Licensed Post Office and the Australian Sports Pony Registry. We did have some other financial supporters, who in fact asked that they remain anonymous, and obviously we acceded to those requests. These supporters are also very much appreciated. Our Official Scorer – Sally Stelling again put in a ‘huge’ effort for us throughout the day. She and Chris also had a number of assistants during the day, Steph, Annette and Jill, all of whom were terrific contributors to the success of the day.

Our Gear Checker, once again was Wendy James. Again, when we first had the idea for this competition, Wendy very graciously ‘put up her hand’ and volunteered for the position. Little did she know that her action then would turn into long term employment. Wendy does a great job, and is just terrific with the ‘Tiny Tots’ as the ‘front up’ for a gear check.

It is also important that I mention the contribution of Elizabeth Batcheldor who sat up with Chris and I on Thursday night until ‘the wee small hours’ collating and stapling the Schedule, and for her assistance with the catering.

Needless to say we must thank our officials. Our Judges, Bianca Barnes, Fiona Dearing, Wendy Huitson, Trish Grey, Nicole Touzel, Denise Ceddia, Katy Welsh, Fran Cleland and Sally Stelling, and our Pencillers, all of whom contributed hugely to ensure a great day was had by all. Some were individuals who have been with us for many of the events, others were new to the tasks that they so capably performed yesterday. Your efforts were sincerely appreciated – especially those who came to our support at the very last minute after I had posted a ‘plea for help’ on the Eques Forum. We ultimately were inundated with offers of support from these generous individuals. We do hope that whilst this may have been your first involvement with the event, that it will not be your last. We would love to have you all back again next year.

It is interesting to note the comments of some of our regular judges, who all agreed that the standard before them has increased markedly over the past eight years. I believe they are right. At the beginning, it seemed that we had ponies doing dressage – for want of a better description, but now we are seeing the purpose bred and purpose trained, dressage ponies coming to the fore. It is also encouraging to see the number of youngsters competing, and eager to improve their skills and performances as dressage competitors.

I need also to thank Allan Bruno, Jackie Woodhead and Reg Cleland for moving ‘heaven and earth’ to ensure we were able to obtain the additional three rings that were needed to conduct the event. Thank you all for your assistance.

I would also take this opportunity to thank my wife Chris – who not only assists with the scoring on the day, but who is our Event Secretary, and conducts the Draw. It is a massive job, and she has been doing it since the very beginning.

I do hope I have not missed anyone. Certainly if I have, it is not intentional, as there are so many people and sponsors who all come together to make this event the enjoyable day it has become. Should I have missed anyone, please accept my apologies.

And finally, my thanks to the competitors, from the most experienced to those who participated for the first time yesterday. Without your support for the event, it would certainly be a ‘futile exercise’.

Thank you one and all!
Gary Hartigan
President, Australian Pony Owners & Breeders.
Filou Lane Limited Edition - Filipa Marshall
Tarralea Next Step - Abby Plant
Lakevale Darius - Penny Johnson
Lakevale Oscar - Melanie Cyphers
Grayanna Sam Sara - Caitlyn Porter
Waveleigh Nathaniel - Karen Vistarini

JAIME STROUD MEMORIAL SASH

Winner - Tracey Gorick and Toby

Below is a little bit of history of Tracey's journey at
the APOB dressage day over the years,

Please open the document and enjoy reading this beautiful story about Tracey

Photo credit - Angie Rickard Photography

FOAL SHOWS

Results from WPCS Gippsland Promotional Group Foal Show on 25th April, 2010.
Colt foal
1st - Mallawa Park Sh'Boom
2nd - Jamaica Park Bound for Glory

Filly Foal
1st - Koora Lyn Princess Dawn
2nd - Kriley Park Romance
3rd - Jamaica Park Golden Girl
4th - Mallawa Park Destiny

Champion - Koora-Lyn Princess Dawn
Reserve - Mallawa Park Sh'Boom
Both ponies owned by Marconi Pony Stud

Heathcote APSB Foal Show on 2nd May, 2010.
CHAMPION FILLY and
SUPREME AUSTRALIAN PONY FOAL

Koora-Lyn Princess Dawn - owned by Marconi Pony Stud
Photo credit - Lisa Oneill

Gippsland APSB Foal Show on 16th May, 2010.
Champion Colt - Blackwood Brigadier
Reserve Colt - Mallawa Park Sh'Boom

Champion Filly - Kriley Park Romance
Reserve Filly - Kooralyn Princess Dawn

Champion 3rd Generation Australian - Mallawa Park Sh'Boom
Reserve 3rd Generation Australian - Blackwood Brigadier

SUPREME Australian / 3rd Generation - Mallawa Park Sh'Boom
























Blackwood Brigadier - owned by Blackwood Ponies
SUPREME of SUPREMES APSB FOAL SHOW WINNER
Kriley Park Romance owned by Kristie Missen
Mallawa Park Sh'Boom
Koora-Lyn Princess Dawn
APSB Foal Show on 30th May, 2010.
SUPREME Australian / 3rd Generation  - Blackwood Brigadier
Owned by Blackwood Ponies

SUPREME OF SUPREMES from APSB run foal shows - Blackwood Brigadier
Bathurst Foal Show on 6th June, 2010.
Champion Australian Pony
Supreme Led Foal of Show  -  Koora-Lyn Lumina
owned by Koora-Lyn Australian Ponies
Proudly promoting Australia's Own - the Australian Pony
NSW All Breeds Foal Show - 18th July 2010

Champion Australian Pony - Koora-Lyn Wedgewood - Koora-Lyn Australian Ponies
Reserve Champion Australian Pony - Koora-Lyn Lumina - Koora-Lyn Australian Ponies

Koora-Lyn Lumina
Photo Credit Alice McNamara
Koora-Lyn Wedgewood
Photo credit Alice McNamara
EKKA - BRISBANE ROYAL SHOW 2010

SUPREME AUSTRALIAN PONY - Koorana Royal Ambition

Koorana Royal Ambition was born in January 2004,  It was a 40 degree day at Maitland and we noticed Koorana Presentation had foaled.  Presentation was one of our champion mares, she won her class at the National Stud Pony show 7 times, she won her yearling filly class against 43 fillies. Presentation had foaled a number of nice ponies, however she left the best to last… Ambition.  When Tony & I walked down to the paddock and found Presentation under the trees by the creek we knew he was something special.  He was very weak from the extreme heat and Presentation was getting old and we knew this was possibly her last foal.  Tony carried Ambition across 100 acres to bring him to the home paddock. Tony said that he was possibly the best colt foal he had ever bred. 

Ambition has done well from his first outing, he was Supreme Youngstock at the Hunter Valley All Breeds Show at his first outing, beating a number of well known riding ponies etc, and as a late foal he looked like the baby of the show.  He has been Champion at Sydney Royal and has been Supreme Australian Pony at the Brisbane Royal Show in 2009 and 2010.  He has been Supreme 3rd Generation at the National Stud Show as well as being Champion Australian colt/Stallion on a number of times at the National Stud Show. Due to his showing commitments we have not used Ambition very much, however he has a beautiful filly in our show team and 8 mares due to foal this season which we eagerly await..        Ann Gavin