Ashley Cutler made it a winning double in Gunnedah after claiming two of the town’s premier showjumping titles this year.
The Woolbrook rider won the Bridget Hyem Memorial 135cm Grand Prix at last weekend’s Gunnedah Showjumping Festival.
Riding the same horse, Count Von Omteda, Cutler also won the R.W (Bill) Hyem Memorial Grand Prix at the 2024 Gunnedah Show in April.
Gunnedah Showjumping Festival co-ordinator Charlotte Hoddle said the defending champion won the back-to-back memorial events with just seconds to spare.
The events are named in honour of the prestigious local showjumpers Bridget ‘Bud’ Hyem, who in 1964 became the first woman equestrian rider to represent Australia at an Olympic Games. Bud was married to well-known Australian show jumper Bill Hyem.
Hoddle said 75 riders competed in 490 rounds of showjumping across three days of competition at this year’s Gunnedah event.
Riders from as far as Canberra, Central Coast and even Queensland were among the entrants.
Locally, Gunnedah was well represented in the top standings as Georgina Bartlett placed first in both the 60cm AM7 and 70cm AM7 on Saturday as well as other placings over the weekend.
Bartlett was supported by fellow Gunnedah riders Jessica Swain and Neave Martin.
“It was really pleasing to see a lot of local kids riding and going really well,” Hoddle said.
The co-ordinator said the weather and presentation of the grounds were superb, as was the support of the event volunteers and supporters.
“We had some really good feedback, (riders) said it was a good surface for jumping with great grass, drainage and sand base,” Ms Hoddle said.
“We had really great support from local sponsors who got behind this show to make it all happen.
“A special thank you to all of the volunteers who worked behind the scenes to make it all happen.”
Showjumping results from key classes:
Gordon Barry & Co 105cm Junior Championship Art 273.2.3
1st Georgina Pillar – Joselands Cosmic Star
2nd Zara Sampson – Morton
3rd Jack Makim – Come By Chance
115cm Bredal Australia Grand Prix Art 273.2.3
1st Emily Patterson – Star Struck
2nd William Wood – Westie
3rd Brock Harvey – Curadh Liath
4th Georgina Pillar – Joselands Cosmic Star
5th David Cooper – Habanero
Pursehouse Rural Gunnedah 125cm Grand Prix Art 273.2.3
1st Ron Easey – Oz Star
2nd Michael Hirons – Sub Pop
3rd Michael Hirons – Spruce Bruce
4th Ash Cutler – Kirby Park Irish Maximus
5th Brock Harvey – Curadh Liath
Gunnedah Veterinary Hospital Bridget (Bud) Hyem Memorial 135cm Grand Prix Art 273.2.3
1st Ashley Cutler – Count Von Omteda
2nd William Wood – Powerhouse Park Ego Roc
3rd William Wood – Celerity Park Veestar
4th David Cooper – Victory Day
5th William Wood – Casseira
Cutler competing on the first day of showjumping in Gunnedah.
Brock Harvey, from Armidale.
Grayce Pryor, from Millers Forest.
Zara Sampson, from Merriwa.
Zara Sampson, from Merriwa, competing in Gunnedah.
Paige Baxter, from Scone.
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