Equestrian

It will be an incredibly sad farewell this week to our past colleague and friend Mikaela Claridge, who tragically lost her life last week in an accident at Cranbourne Race Track. Mikaela played an integral role at our Equestrian Centre supporting our students in their riding endeavours. Her gentle kindness and love of horses will be greatly missed and we will always remember the contribution she made to our students and school community. Our deepest sympathy and condolences to Mikaela’s family, her husband Jamie and all who loved her.

Wisechamps Horse Trials – Warrnambool Pony Club

Many of our students braved the wild weekend weather to compete at the WISEchamps horse trials at Warrnambool Pony Club on the weekend. Zoe Addinsall was one of these resilient riders who had a clear round in her showjumping and would have placed second, however, it was raining and hailing so hard the numbers on the jumps blew off and she went the wrong way. This incredible resilience is one of the important life skills equestrian sport develops in our students. Congratulations to all who represented our College at this event.

Senior and Junior Horsemanship Term 4

Organisation for the Term 4 Horsemanship program is underway. All interested Senior and Junior riders need to complete the forms attached and send it in to reception or email to ateboekhorst15@hamiltoncollege.vic.edu.au as soon as possible, prior to the end of Term 3.

Please note that Horsemanship lessons are a commitment for the entire term and not available on a casual basis unless this has been approved by the Director of Horsemanship. There is a minimum 3 riders required for each lesson to run successfully each term. There is a limit of 4 riders per lesson. Private lessons or lessons with two riders can be arranged; however, the fee for these will be higher than the term charge for Horsemanship on the school fee schedule in order to cover the costs of instructors. Please let me know if you have any further questions. We look forward to seeing you all next term!

Interhouse Showjumping

Unfortunately, this had to be postponed until Term 4 due to the extreme weather last Friday afternoon, which cancelled the entire House Sport program. A new date for Term 4 will be published in the newsletter before the end of Term 3. Thank you for your understanding.

THAC & Geelong Dressage Club Inc. Dressage Day – Saturday 12th October 2019

Our annual Dressage competition will be held on Saturday 12th October 2019. The entry form is attached to this newsletter. Please save the date and we hope to see you all there!

THAC Interprimary Games Day

Friday 15th November 2019

The annual Interprimary Games Day will be held on the 15th November 2019 at the THAC Equestrian Centre. Please save the date in your diaries, the entry form is attached to this newsletter! The Hamilton and Alexandra College Equine Studies students are eagerly preparing for this event and are looking forward to seeing you all on the day!

Jan Smith DRESSAGE CLINIC – Sunday 13th October 2019

Jan is a long standing EA Level 1 Dressage Coach, and accredited Skills Specific Trainer and Assessor (SSTA). She is also an A level Dressage Judge, Young Horse Judge and a Judge Mentor.  Jan is also a Level 3 FEI Dressage Steward and FEI Testing Technician (if you have any questions about rules or swabbing).  She is a former competitor to FEI level and is coordinator of the Equestrian Victoria Young Rider Dressage Squads and Development Program.  Jan enjoys coaching all levels and helping riders to improve their performances in the ring and her simple and friendly coaching style is appreciated by all who attend her lessons.

The entry form for this fabulous clinic is attached to this newsletter. Please make sure you reserve your place as soon as possible!

For updates, news, Calendar, entry forms, results and more GO TO THE FOLLOWING WEBSITES:

Equestrian Victoria:

http://www.vic.equestrian.org.au/content/interschools

http://www.vic.equestrian.org.au/Events/calendar

Please make sure you join our THAC Equestrian Facebook page for regular updates and photos of all our Equestrian endeavours. Updates and entry forms for competitions are also posted on this page so make sure you keep up to date!

Please note any horses who are regularly coming to and from the Hamilton and Alexandra College Equestrian Centre must be up to date with vaccinations for Tetanus and Strangles and records of these will be maintained to ensure the biosecurity of the centre. You must also notify the Director of Horsemanship immediately if your horse has been in or originated from Queensland or Northern New South Wales. Please let me know if you have any concerns or questions.

Amanda te Boekhorst