EQUITATION riding has come to Bathurst with the formation of a new club that already has dozens of people interested in joining.
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The Central Tablelands Working Equitation Club (CTWEC) held its first training session at the Brian Booth Recreation Reserve in Perthville on Sunday.
Twenty people arrived with their horses and ponies to give the sport a go, while another 15 people came along on their own to find out more.
Club president Kim Stapleton said it was a great sport for people of all ages and horses of all capabilities.
Equitation involves a number of events, including: dressage, maneability, speed and cattle.
Ms Stapleton said dressage competitors are judged on their horse’s style, while maneability was an obstacle course with rider and horse judged on correct style.
In the speed section, competitors are timed as they ride an obstacle course, while the cattle event sees riders having to pick a specific cow out of a group and maneuver it into a pen as quickly as possible.
CTWEC secretary Jane Thompson has been involved in equitation for a couple of years already and said it was great family sport.
“It’s all about the friendship and it’s good for your horses. It’s a good all-round sport for your horse,” she said.
Ms Thompson praised those who came along on Sunday and said newcomers would again be welcome to the club’s next training session.
“For a first day it’s been an excellent turnout,” she said.
The CTWEC plans to give its members the opportunity to take part in club and inter-club competitions, along with the national championships.
It’s all about the friendship and it’s good for your horses. It’s a good all-round sport for your horse.
- Central Tablelands Working Equitation Club secretary Jane Thompson
“The club will run nine events a year with a mix of training and competition,” Ms Stapleton said.
On Sunday, Australian National Working Equitation NSW vice president Andrew Mulligan came along to lend his expertise to those trying the sport out.
Previously, anyone interested in equitation riding had to travel to a club in Mudgee.
For more information on the CTWEC, search for the Central Tablelands Working Equitation Club on Facebook or call Kim Stapleton on 0418 691 292.