Show jumping in the spotlight

THE region’s best show jumpers will compete under lights for the first time tonight.

More than 50 riders will hit Elcho Park for the next round of the Twilight Show Jumping Series.

The round was scheduled to run in the afternoon, but officials opted to delay the start of the event due to weather.

“We haven’t seen show jumping like that down here before. We’re excited about it,” organiser Luke Hyland said.

Hyland said 56 riders would take part, with 112 rounds of show jumping.

“Last year we averaged 50 riders every round and this year we’re up around 80,” he said.

“So if it keeps growing like this, we’ll have to run two arenas at the same time. It’s the only competition of this status that combines adults and kids at the same time. We run 10 sections, so we’ve got levels one to five and A Grade down to F Grade for the pony club.”

Leigh District’s Amber Balasz-Ashman is one of many exciting prospects.

“She’s just gone up to level one and she’s very exciting to watch,” Hyland said.

“Sarah Wielens is pretty handy. She goes around like a bull at a gate.”

Bannockburn- Teesdale Riding Club star Maddison Parrish and West Coast’s Celia Jackson will compete in level two, Bannockburn’s Alana Beckworth will tackle level four and Rebecca Hausler will contest level five.

The event will be a family affair for the Taylor’s of Macedon, with Ben (F Grade), Emily (E Grade) and Charlotte (D Grade) compete across the pony club grades.