A First EFA Pony Dressage Competition
Author: Carol Hibbert
Ninebanks Tim Tam and Jordy Wright tackled their first official EFA Dressage Competition recently at the Treehaven Equestrian Centre on the Mornington Peninsula. Competitions are advertised in the EFA Dressage Handbook which can be subscribed to for around $30.00 per year and the quarterly dressage arena newsletter is included if the subscription is paid early!. Fees seem quite expensive at $46.00 per test plus a facility fee but some tests had two and three top EFA judges to provide for.
Treehaven has two main areanas one covered and one open. A delightful cafe verandah looks out over the main outdoor arena where devotees can order a glass of wine with their cheese and biscuits, all very civilised and grand. We entered Tim Tam for two novice pony tests but unfortunately found he was the only pony entered. Two ponies had competed the day before in the prelim section but as the only pony to compete in novice, Tim Tam had to share the exercise arena with those a lot larger than himself. Something he's never been too fond of. Also they had to compete first up so no chance to watch any one else go through their paces. I had forgotten what it's like arriving somewhere you don't know the layout, toilets, office, secretary etc but that will be a thing of the past next time.
Jordy put Tim Tam through his paces. He scored several good marks and comments which he and Jordy will work to build on next time. They came away with solid scores of 57% and 58% and the winners ribbon but most of all I was proud of the picture they created as they worked. Tim Tam was the vision of a small warmblood and working forward and obedient.
The EFA are keen to encourage pony participation as pony competitors are still thin on the ground.
Where competitions advertise a performance requirement they may accept entries that don't meet the requirement if entry numbers are low, so give it a go!. Jordy and Tim Tam have been accepted for the EFA Victorian State Championships to be held as part of the Saddleworld Dressage Festival, December 11-14 at Werribee NEC. Their novice pony section will take place on Sunday 14 December with two New Forests among the sixteen entrants and several ASPR (Australian Sports Pony Registry) ponies.
