Last updated
28th May, 2007

IN THE SPOTLIGHT A new partnership begins Annette and Xcalibur 4yr old Grey Warmblood Gelding Grandkavalier X Gelgalda Park Valentine

What's On... Another Horse Wangaratta Horse Trials Bethanga Gymkhana April 07 Wandin Horse Trials Wodonga Show Get Well Soon Foals Growing Bungendore Bush Bash Rain. What's That? Ken Gibbs Memorial SJ

PHOTO OF THE MONTH Jirrima Verdict at Sunset

We are Moving!!

Keep your eyes open for our new web address. In the near future we will be moving to a new domain.

www.jirrima.com

But don't worry as we will still keep you up to date with the latest gos!

Update on 'Sonny' X Jirrima Unbelievable

Recently recieved an update on “Windellraki Sonny” from his new owner Jodi Homer

"Hi Kay& Tania

Just thought you’d be interested to know I did purchase the 14.3 hh son of Unbelievable “Windellraki Sonny” and yes, he has now been broken in by Ritchie Whitehead (very happy with the job also). He is a little ripper, proving very safe and reliable for such a young horse literally taken from his mum only a couple of months ago.

Attached are some pics of him – Lucy (my eldest daughter) firmly has her heart set on him, but first he will have a little bit of fun with me! I will start some poles with him and work on getting him to be able to canter a circle etc, so I can get him out.

He is quite a character, I’m sure a real reflection of his grand dad??"

He looks so relaxed Jodi. We look forward to seeing him out and about.

Another Vintage Jet baby begins his sadlle career
After success as a halter horse last spring Yoube the Judge has been broken to saddle. Although the shorter days are making hard work of trying to get youngsters going, 'Boots' has yet to put a foot wrong. A very quick learner and talent to burn. He gives an amazing ride. I look forward to the spring and warmer weather to give him some basic education and hope to enter him in the young horse dressage classes in the autumn. I get goosebumps when it comes to riding any of the Vintage Jet offspring. They make riding a real pleasure.

'Boots' 2 Weeks since first going to the breakers.

Falkand/Grannus ll mare comes to JPH

What does every stud need? Another horse, right? Yes I know what your saying but this was a just must have type of thing!!
The mare to join JPH has jumping horses all the way through. Including Falkrich, Lander, Monopol and out of a 2* 3DE performance mare. But the best bit is that she is in foal to Camelot Ego Z who is by Olympic Representative Carthago Z and includes Grannus ll on his dam line. Bring on the spring I say!! Pics will be later.

Wangaratta Horse Trials

Jirrima Ya Jet	Jirrima Xecutive	Jirrima Yabba Dabba Doo	Jirrima Xecutive	Jirrima Variety Show

We had rain! Must be the luck of Wang HT as it rained the previous year at Wang too!

We had a great weekend at Wang and also a successful one. Three winners, one in pre-novice and two in training. One winner for each of the stallions HP Lonzo, Arundel House Zermat and Jirrima Vintage Jet, which makes them very happy dads!

We took 5 horses to Wang which meant we had to be organised. Thanks must go to Tracey Jones who tried really hard to accommodate us and timetabled all our horses with no clashes. Xecutive was trying to back up his Wandin debut and was looking the goods after the dressage and SJ but unfortunately he incurred 20 faults at the 3rd fence from home in the XC. Just misunderstood where his rider wanted him to go and displayed a moment of his inexperience. Was still very pleased with his efforts.

Ya Jet was having his first start and he showed such maturity all weekend, the warm-up area for the dressage can get quiet hectic, particularly if someone has a horse that is not happy. Ya Jet behaved perfectly and completed a calm and obedient test. Judge's comments summed it all up "V obed + V Calm + V Acc= Lov test". Clear SJ and a clear XC in some slippery conditions. Jirrima Yabba Dabba Doo also had to step into the winners circle after a very positive dressage test. "lovely big moving horse....potential to do well in higher levels". There were no problems on the XC and likewise with the SJ.

J Variety Show finished his season with a very consistant performance. Time proved to be the hard to get factor in the XC and as Variety Show had none it opened the gap in the scores. One rail in the SJ after rider completely stuffing up the brick wall meant VS finished on a score of 42.

Berrima Horse Trials

This autumn I have ventured further north to check out some of the NSW courses. A bit of market research into what courses are like for the day we start in 1*.
Berrima was an interesting weekend. For a start finding the event required you to be Sherlock Holmes as the map was of little assistance. The plan was to go up Friday and work Variety Show on the grounds. After driving around Sutton Forest and quickly running out of daylight I gave it up as a bad joke. I was not the only one to find this a problem. Next was trying to find the entrance to the Moss Vale Showgrounds. Follow the signs only gets you to a locked gate!! Eventually setup camp and ask how to get to the competition grounds.

Next morning awaken to the thickest of thick fogs. GREAT. Idea is to follow someelse to the grounds, however, loose them after the first corner. Eventually find my way. Next green grass everywhere!!! Variety Show can't believe his eyes and proceeds to fill his belly.

Dressage was conducted in the fog. The Pre Novice section had their arena away from the rest of the competitors and it was a challenge to just find the arena, even the officials didn't know where it was. Once the judge and riders found our arena (in the middle of the XC course) we were able to get underway. I was really pleased with our dressage test and felt very positive about it. However, the judge didn't score with the same enthusiasm and we start in 10th place. ]

Next SJ, course designed by John Valance with his feather weight rails. The SJ caused headaches for quite a few riders including a few 3* horses being eliminated. Variety Show had one rail. Then the XC, time was proving hard to get as the earlier riders passed the message on to those in the second division. It was the deciding factor as the jumps caused very little trouble all day in the lower grades. Overall finished 11th.

Bethanga Gymkhana

We had been told that the Bethanga Gymkhana was a good day out so we loaded up 5 horses and went off to investigate. What a day!!! With every intention of having a go at everything possible it turned out we were kept busy jumping horses! Scooby and Xecutive (although sold, he is living with us for the time being) were entered in the 60cm and 75cm. In the 60cm Scooby's rider, showing her age, jumped the wrong fence, therefore eliminated, leaving Xecutive to carry the flag. A double clear but beaten on time in the jumpoff. Both produced good rounds in the 75cm but not placed. While waiting for the class to begin, we crossed to the Open Hack class where Xecutive won and Scooby 3rd. Showjumpers took out the 5 placings! Onto bigger classes and Unbelievable and Variety Show came out to strut their stuff. Unbelievable did a double clear again to win the 1m class with Variety Show 3rd. We lined up for the 1.15m class but the rider of Unbelievable, did 1/2 the course with her eyes shut, hence 3 rails, but what a good horse! Variety Show also had a rail down and then did the 1.20m class with a lovely round and only one rail. It is the biggest the horses have jumped at competition and they were by no means disgraced.

As the day was getting late we decided not to stay for the barrel race and Bethanga Gift. Skip had come prepared with running shoes and all!!! We had already missed the Keyhole, hitting the nail, stepping the distance and dog jump (For Sportie). Yajet went along for the ride.

Wandin Horse Trials

Variety Show was rewarded at Wandin after handing out the 'Learning to ride for Dummies' Booklet to his rider to study for this weekend! A big improvement after Albury. He was leading after the dressage on a score of 39. Just the same it was a tense waiting time after the showjumping to see the final results. Variety Show had 3 rails down-very unusual for him, but he had gone clear cross country both on time and jumping. He finished 4 points ahead and came home with a rug, rossette and money. A big thanks to Pryde's Easifeed for Sponsoring the Event.

Xecutive did a lovely dressage test, clear showjumping and 6 time penalties cross country to finish 4th. Scoobie accredited himself extremely well but a low dressage score and time penalties left him well out of contension. As far as Unbelievable went, well the less said the better. He was not impressed with getting his socks wet and dirty. He is a showjumper!!!!

Sunday started unusually for a horse trials event. A bit of a strange noise and on investigating, we found 10 hot air balloons firing up on the cross country course, then lifting off and floating over the camp site.

Wandin Park.......... Annette and Xcalibur

On the way to Wandin we delivered Xcalibur to his new owner, Annette, at a Seymour service station. He transferred from the truck to the float without a hassle and promptly put his nose into a waiting bucket of feed. Boy has that lad landed on his feet!! Was not at all preturbed at us leaving him!!! All in all a wonderful time was had and we will be looking forward to the next Wandin Horse Trials.

.............Xecutive............................Yabba Dabba Doo....................................Variety Show................................Unbelievable.............

Albury Wodonga S tate Championship Horse Trials

Albury drew large entries for its annual horse trials, conducted at the Equestrian Centre. This year the Horse Trails also doubled as the State One Day Event Championships for NSW. J Variety Show was a solo competitor having his second Pre-Novice start. Dressage was one of the worst tests I have managed to perform for some time. Started when watching the horse in front complete movements I had no plan of doing in my test. So as I bounced and flopped all over the place my trusty steed continued to calmly perform a reasonable test. A score of 56 was given and we start the weekend in 11th position. Poor horse! Variety Show continued his good form with a clear in the SJ and the best XC yet. Clear and within the time:). Everybody else had the same idea and so finish the weekend on dressage score but in 10th position. Rider has been handed the 'Learning to ride for Dummies' Booklet by horse to study for next weekend!

Lonzo Bub
Marion Kater recently send us this photo of her HP Lonzo son. Certainly looking good and no winter coat in sight.

Wodonga Show

Fine weather and a watered jumping arena made for a great day at Wodonga Show. Jirrima Unbelievable jumped cleanly all day. Beaten in the 90cm by the juniors in the jump-off. He won the 'D' Grade Showjump by being one of only 2 horses to jump a clear round. He then continued with a clear and tight track to place pressure on the other competitor in the jump-off, they pulled 2 rails leaving Unbelievable with a win in the 'D' Grade. Jirrima Variety Show jumped well in the 'D' Grade and had another hit at the 'C' and 'D' Grade. Unfortunately, he pulled a rail in both classes but was pleased with his step up in the grades, giving him a good hit out for the Albury Horse Trails coming up this week.

Jirrima Verdict went along to support the Arabian classes. Kindly organised by Kath Roberts. Remembering that the week prior he did his 40km endurance ride. He came home with a win and Reserve Champion Derivative Gelding. Unfortunately, ridden classes clashed with jumping classes and so didn't make it to the ridden hack.

Pic Left: Jirrima Unbelievable first in the 'D' Grade
Centre: Jirrima Variety Show in the 'C' and 'D' Grade
Right: Jirrima Verdict

Bungendore Bush Bash (AKA Endurance Ride)

This was the inaugural event for the Bush Bash and boy did they draw a crowd. Over 120 starters in total. 80+ Endurance Riders and 40+ Training Riders. Extremely well organised, very friendly competitors and committee plus spectacular views made for the great success of the weekend. Jirrima Verdict made the long trek to gain a qualification to enable him to do an 80km at The Rock come May. Trainers set off at 6.30am. The course gave a variety of terrains, hills, undulating paddocks, bush scrub, roads and tracks with lots of water stops along the way. Verict was a gem and completed the ride calmly and casually in 4 hrs. He gained a friend along the way and together they travelled the course easily. Vet Checks were alot less stressful this time with a pre-ride HR 39 and Post ride HR of 36. Thanks to Saan for making the ride an enjoyable one and look forward to catching up at The Rock.

Pic: Jirrima Verdict at one of the high points on the Bush Bash

Get Well Soon Marcus

Local rider and trainer Marcus McMaugh was involved a serious fall after being thrown from a young horse the Friday prior to Wodonga Show. He was rushed to Melbourne by air ambulance with multiple fractures to the spine. Latest reports are positive although recovery will take a long time. We wish Marcus a good and full recovery and our full support for Lucy at this very stressful and difficult time. Actually Marcus is now sporting a 'halo' and has Lucy at his beck and call! If you wish to visit please make an appointment!! There is a line up of well wishers.

Pic: Marcus riding Jirrima Yorkshire Spring 2006

Growing Bubs

Jirrima X-Roads

These recent shots show warmblood gelding J. X-Roads (4yr old) showing his confidence over fences. He is about to begin official D grade jump classes this year. We wish John every success.

Ken Gibbs Memorial Showjumping Competition

Wodonga got rain on this day!! However, they didn't share it with anybody else. Sign of the times when one gets excited about getting wet when at a comp!!

J Yabba Dabba Doo backed his Henty Show debut with a 70cm class. He consoladated on Henty but was unlucky to roll the final rail(rider relaxed). Will benefit from some building up over the winter.

J Variety Show redeemed himself after Henty (read below). Unsure how big the C and D class was going to be. I entered the 90cm and D Grade classes. The 90cm was great and was very pleased with the very tight lines taken in the jump-off and just wasn't quick enough on the more open section of the jump-off course to be pipped at the post into 2nd place. In the D grade again was very pleased but somehow 4 faults ended on the scoresheet, wind must have blown on the rail.

But big excitment was to have a go at the C and D. Set at 1.10-1.15m (I know that's small for a C and D) Bob Pritchard again designed a nice course with a couple of challenging lines. Variety Show jumped one of his best rounds and put in some cool jumps. He did loose concentration through the treble as he spotted a bright pink dazzle board at element C and pulled a rail. The rider also caused four faults at the first. Really enjoying showjumping more since the Jamie Murray school last year.

Canberra Royal 2007

Congratulations go to Rose Gough who continues to have success with J Unofficial Superstar. This year gaining multiple placings in numerous sections. A 4th and 6th in the dressage and 5th in the Lady rider over 40 years. Congrats!!

Mudgegonga Endurance Ride

Trying something a little different and venturing back out into the endurance world. It has been many many years since completing our last rides in the early 1990's. The aim is get up to those 80km rides. Sounds hideous even just writing about it! Victim =Jirrima Veredict. Target = completion of 40km Training ride. Location = Mudegonga(Vic)

Result= Achieved aim. One 40km training ride completed, vet card all bar one 'A' Heart Rate needs work 52 after vet check. However, I must say after kangaroos, wombats, wallabies and many other unidentifiable eyes starring at you in the bush, no wonder his HR was high.

Organisers were most helpful at the ride and the course was easy to navigate for a first timer. Thanks must also go to Catherine McAlpine of Splitters Creeek Arabian Sporthorse Stud for answering the 101 questions prior to the ride.

Next: Bungendore Bush Bash

AWEC Dressage Day

Albury Wodonga Equestrian Centre held its monthly dressage comp for February. Jirrima Yorkshire and Jirrima Xecutive had their first dressage test (prep 1) while J Unbelievable and J Variety Show had a hit out for the up coming Horse Trials. Both youngsters behaved beautifully and handled the environment perfectly with positive comments coming from the judges(Always good for the ego!!)

Pic:Jirrima Yorkshire

Henty Show

Henty had a good roll up in the equestrian events, unfortunately the showjumping numbers were down on previous years. Henty is a great show for young and inexperienced horses with the first rounds starting very low and building up to 1m.

The day promised to be hot so we looked at the program and as there was only one class for Derivative Arabians we decided to take the youngsters out for some showjumping. We washed 6 horses early that morning. Scoobie, Xecutive and Verdict started in the 40cm and Scoobie won the event only because Xecutive had a rail down in the jump off! He was 3rd. We were on a roll so Scoobie and Xecutive started again this time the 60cm. Result-Xecutive 1st and Scoobie nix as he pulled 2 rails. J Veredict had his first ever SJ round and did himself proud (completed 40km endurance ride 2 weeks earlier).

Both J Unbelievable and Jirrima Variety Show had starts in the 80cm and 1m classes. Vareity Show was having an out of sorts day and uncharacteristically pulled multiple rails in the 80cm. He redeemed himself somewhat in the 1m class. J Unbelievable came home with a 4th in the 1m class.

As it turned out we were so busy at the showjumping ring we didn't have time to enter the other rings. The only one not to jump was Xcalibur who went along for the ride.

Fancy Foals

J. Be a Gem	J. Belle-Aire		J. Believe 'n' Me	J. Bravado
HP Lonzo X J. Onyx Yippee Another full sister to Variety Show!!	J. Vintage Jet X Socialite WB Filly		HP Lonzo X J. Understatement AWB Filly	Kala's Image X Convenience TB Colt

NSW State Championships Horse Trial

Variety Show (aka Festy) leads right from the dressage to win NSW State title:) at Goulburn and came home with a rug, rossette and money!

Vareity Show is now entered for Albury Wodonga Horse Trials.

Wodonga World Cup Showjumping weekend

Wodonga World Cup run by the Border and District Showjumping Club, arrive in November on target, but this year we decided to compete with J.Unbelievable and J. Variety Show in the 1.05m D Grade as well as working as we do every other year. Both horses went well but pulled a rail so no second round. I was immensely relieved as the height went over my Comfort zone!! Skip is now looking at what other classes she can compete in this year! After that buzz, it was back to marshelling, stewarding, picking up rails and helping to build the course for the next class. A great event.