Introducing YRC – An exciting new community show series
When times are tough, inventiveness often comes to the fore and we have seen that with the introduction of the YRC Show Series. While most of the country is slowly emerging, at different rates, from the myriad of travel restrictions that the COVID-19 pandemic brought us, the sport of Jumping was particularly hard hit by those restrictions. As we all know, the requirement to travel to shows is inextricably linked to competing in this sport. It was generally accepted that if you can’t travel, there can be no competition.
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However, an enterprising trio of Jumping stables, all located in close proximity to each other on the outskirts of Sydney have got together and organised their own show. The YRC Show Series is being organised by a small committee with the aim of providing top quality competition primarily for each stable’s residents and clients.
As you may have guessed, YRC are the initials of the three stables involved.
The ‘Y’ stands for Yandoo Park. Located at Ebenezer in the Hawkesbury region of Western Sydney, Yandoo Park is the home of Jamie Kermond who has represented Australia on multiple World Equestrian Games and World Cup Finals, his wife Jamie-Winning Kermond, also a top level competitor. Also, based at Yandoo Park is James Paterson-Robinson who represented Australia at three Olympic Games and competitive showjumping partner Sarah Duggan.
The ‘R’ is for Redleaf Lodge. Located just a couple of kilometres away at Wilberforce, this is the home of two-time Australian Senior Jumping Champion David Cameron and his eventing and showjumping wife Tallara.
The ‘C’ stands for Chatham Park. Located at Glossodia and run by a legend of Australian Showjumping George Sanna, Chatham Park is the home of Australian Senior Champion Amber Fuller, World Cup Qualifying winner Kate Hinschen and highly successful Young Rider Amelia Douglass.
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The organising committee says “About half way through 2020 it became obvious that normal Showjumping competitions were not going to be able to run. With the need for competition Yandoo, Redleaf and Chatham Park came together, formed the YRC committee and started organising training and competition days within the COVID regional restrictions. We set out finding venues, insurance and jumps. The initial funding to get the show on the road came from the people within these stables.
It’s been a volunteer based show with members from the stables organising, building the courses conducting set up and pack up. – Special thanks goes to Margo Meredith and Susan Nault for donating their time as the judges and Jamie ‘Rothenburger’ Kermond as the course designer.”
Together the YRC Committee have already run a couple of small events with the support of the Sydney International Equestrian Centre (SIEC) and The Sydney Polo Club and the next phase in the show’s expansion is scheduled for this weekend, Friday 20 and Saturday 21 November, at the grounds of the Polo Club.
Only 50 minutes from the Sydney CBD in Richmond NSW, The Sydney Polo Club it is set within 400 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds nestled on the banks of the beautiful Hawkesbury River. Located on what was once a large dairy farm, the Polo Club grounds have been transformed into an equine centre of excellence; featuring indoor arenas, extensive stabling, and a quality of footing amongst the best in Australia. This show has been made possible thanks to the major sponsors Coolmore, IRT, Helen Chugg and Diamond B Farm and Liz Watson.
There are approximately 100 horses registered for this weekend’s event as the committee explains “to enable the involvement of more riders we have opened the 1.45m GP and those who bring a GP horse can have 2 more entries for the other classes. There have been some amazing days of jumping but unfortunately, we haven’t had room for everyone. The aim is to run more of these shows in the future and possibly larger ‘showcase’ style shows with 2 or 3 rings that can include more riders. It has though been really nice doing smaller shows with one ring. The increasing number in competitors at shows is great for the sport nationally but comes with its own problems and complexities. Smaller community-based shows might be part of the answer.”
So, everything is in place for this upcoming show. With class heights starting at 1.00m and topping-out with the 1.40m-1.45m Grand Prix on Sunday afternoon, the action is sure to be spectacular. Unfortunately, due to the 500 person limit as a result of COVID, the committee needs to limit spectators to pre-arranged connections of riders, horses and Sydney Polo. However, Australian Jumping will be in attendance and will bring you photos and results from the Grand Prix.
