The 2009 PC State Championships

Well what a HUGE weekend!

Over 800 people attended the 2009 Pony Club State Championships held at ‘Gold Fields’, the Equine Sports Breeding & Training Centre, Goornong on May 2 & 3.

The weekend was blessed with glorious weather before and during the event, making the conditions perfect. The event was a huge success due to the efforts of many people whom I would like to acknowledge and thank:

• The Midland Zone Committee led by President John Stevens who worked efficiently and professionally so that the whole event ran smoothly. All the members of the committee worked well together and generated such a friendly helpful atmosphere. Thanks also to the back up from James Fitzpatrick and all the representatives from PCAV.
• Cross Country Course designer and builder, Ewan Kellet as well as his assistant Brian Copland and TD Laurie Cole. These three put in an awesome effort to produce a spectacular course which challenged riders but rode so beautifully.
• The many volunteers who helped on the day and particularly those who helped before and after the event including Paul Burge, Angela Dole, John McNamara, Lynne Elphinston-Gray, Ed English, Kristy & Robyn Koch, Kirsten and Elle Cox, Alicia Searle and Sam Teale. You are all very much cherished and appreciated.
• The sponsors, exhibitors and supporters of the event, who all assisted in some way towards easing the financial strain of developing the facility and making it all happen. I would like to take this opportunity to emphasise just how important these people are to our sport and to urge you all to purchase their products or services where feasible as well as recommend them to others.

If you mention my name or ‘Gold Fields’ you will certainly get looked after and will probably even get a discount.

My hope is that we can run a PCAV, EFA and HRCAV event every year as well as training days, clinics and other events, so this is just the beginning for ‘Gold Fields’ to become a world class facility which can contribute to the growth of the next generation of riders and to the future development of our wonderful industry.