A group of eight equestrian riders from Orange competed in the National Capital Horse Trails and the Olympic discipline of Eventing, taking place in Canberra recently.  

Talented riders and their horses included Steve Mannix riding GP Starkozy, Bardi Mannix on Glandore White Sox, Alex Wolters on Aspen Gelato, Yelena Whitfield on BHM Black Label and Kath Wilkens on Wilkens Estate Lilo.

Similar to triathlon, the sport of eventing challenges both horse and rider across three disciplines: dressage, show jumping and cross country.

Traditionally an individual sport, this year eventing riders were given an opportunity to participate in the newly formed ‘teQ Teams’ competition. 

The teQ Teams competition allows riders to nominate a group of any five riders with the best three scores going towards the team’s final score. Winners receive a bounty of prizes and the $10 entry fee for each rider goes directly to the club hosting the event as a fundraiser. 

The top three scores were taken from Steve Mannix’s second place in the EvA80cm class, Yelena Whitfield’s fifth place in the EvA95cm class and Kath Wilken’s fourth place in the EvA60cm class. Collectively the Orange team took out second place with a total of 88.20 points and only missed out on the winning spot by 0.9 points.

The Canberra event is only the second time the teQ Teams competition has run after its inaugural event in Sydney last month.

Although developed by an advertising strategist, Jeanan Yasseen, the core idea behind teQ teams is the desire to bring people together, particularly those from grass roots levels, to connect on a new level than they might normally, to share some camaraderie and of course have some good old fashion competitive fun.

Another Orange local resident, Cynthia Jarratt who also participated at the Canberra event with her off the track thoroughbred Captain Casual (Ariake Fire) finishing sixth in the EvA60cm, said the depth and skill of equestrian riders from Orange was certainly impressive.

“Eventing is one of the toughest equestrian sports. Everything must come together for both horse and rider on the day of the competition. A top 10 finish is always a good outcome.

“When you look at the five riders in the Orange team, only Steve Mannix on GP Starkozy, would have actually had a ‘podium finish’ but now with the teQ Teams event, all five riders can enjoy that winning feeling!

“It is very encouraging and very community focused, a concept that fits very well with the Orange equestrian community,” said Mrs Jarratt.

Other riders from Orange who competed at the Canberra event included Caitlin Rosser riding Pauper who was eliminated on cross country and Ashley Bennett riding Spyda who finished first in the EvA60cm Junior class.

Congratulations to all!