hulla– balloo - North Eastern Zone

2012
JANUARY 2012
HULLA– BALLOO
www.northeastzone.ponyclubvic.org.au
What is in this issue ..
issieh@bigpond.com
Presidents report January 2012
Presidents Report
By Tania Russell
Marnies Story
Maddy’s Story
Jo Stevens retires Smashing Force—read his story
Well I hope everyone has enjoyed a relaxing festive season and is looking forward to a positive and prosperous New Year.
State Champs update
The Pony Club scene is about to get very busy for those of us who like to compete with a Show jumping competition at Benalla and a combined training day at
Myrtleford kicking off the season.
Sarah McNamara is back
home—read her story
PCAV News
Christmas round up from
Howlong and Wangaratta
LM Browbands—lucy
Crawford
C certificates
5th February
There will be new rulebooks available from February 2012 that will effect Bylaws,
Gear Check, Horse Trials and Showjumping.
I would encourage all riders and parents to go to the PCAV website and familiarise yourselves with the new rules, especially before you go out competing.
NB. These new rules will be in place for the State Championships in February
regardless of the program.
For those riders thinking about a career in Trackwork, Racing Victoria is offering
to come and run a rally for those who are interested in learning the art of Trackwork. This is an awesome opportunity to learn another aspect of riding. Please
let the DC know if you are interested.
@ Moyhu
Many of us involved with the State Dressage & Showjumping Chamionships are
working hard behind the scenes to make this event happen. We as a Zone require the man power to be able to make it now happen, so all clubs have been
allocated jobs either by clubs offering to assist or by the Zone delegating them.
15 April @
As many helpers are required to run these large events, please check the list that
will be circulating throughout the Zone, and contact Adrian if there are any questions.
Caniambo
August @
Wangaratta
B Certificate being organised for
All riders from our Zone attending the Championships will be allocated an unmounted rally. It will be a fantastic show of our States’ talent.
Goodluck to all our riders who made it to the Championships.
Till next time
Tania
Feb/March
Good luck to all riders
Get Well Soon .
We extend our very best wishes and speedy recovery to Marita Alexander ( DC Albury PC) after a nasty fall riding track
work. We believe Marita has a little way to go before she is home but we wish her well and hope she is back on deck
soon. Issie and Zone exec committee.
HULLA– BALLOO
Page 2
Do you always wear your helmet??..
On the 1st of December, I was preparing for the zones state qualifies competition
and I climbed up on my 14hh pony like I usually would but what I didn’t realise that
it would be another 5 weeks before I would be able to climb up on a horse again.
I don’t really remember exactly what happened but my horse jumped the side of
our 1.20m arena at home and his front legs got caught. He went head first into the
hard ground and I followed, with him crushing me during his somersault. I heard a
lot of cracks when I hit the ground, some were a collection of my eight bones breaking and the other was the large branch that I hit my head on during the landing and
my teeth went through my lip. I don’t think I lost consciousness but when my horse
had jumped up and ran away, all I could manage to do was sit up.
“The helmet
saved me from
a lot of
damage, and I
may not be in
the state I am
in If I wasn’t
wearing
one ..”
I was trying to yell to my sister that was inside, because we have a strict rule that no
one is allowed to ride unless someone is home. She didn’t hear me because I couldn’t breathe, my left lung had been punctured by one of my ribs and 6 of them were
broken so I wasn’t able to take in much air so I couldn’t yell very loud.
I was extremely lucky that I had no damage from my hips down and I could just
walk, so I had to scramble back over the fence and walk inside. My sister called the
ambulance and we were happy to see them, especially when they gave me the
green stick to help with the pain! I was taken to the Shepparton base hospital, they
also had the helicopter waiting to airlift me to Melbourne, but the paramedics managed to stabilise me and I was able to stay in Shepparton.
When I arrived at emergency I was strapped to my bed, with everyone being very
concerned that I could have spinal damage and I had to lay there for 5 hours staring
at the ceiling, not allowed to move. My left arm was broken, which meant that it
couldn’t have any fluids put in which was unfortunate because that is usually the arm
that is easiest to find the vein. Instead I left the nurses sweating and cursing whilst
they tried numerous times to try and get it into the right arm and when they couldn’t
do that, they attempted with both my feet! With no luck, they had to call in a doctor
that managed to get it into my right arm and warned everyone it was not to be
touched!
I went to X-rays and at first look, the radiographer said that no bones were broken,
but he was wrong, times eight.
They saw that my left lung was collapsing so I was put on a high flow of oxygen and
put on watch for the next 2 days, along with my regular X-rays to see if it was able to
expand on its own. Luckily it did over in the next few days but I still had to fast in
case I had to go to surgery to have a tube put in to help inflate the lung.
The next few days were hard, I was in a lot of pain and I think I swallowed about 200
pills in the 7 days I was there! The doctors continued to find more breaks as the days
went on and the swelling went down. In the end, I had 6 broken ribs, a broken left
collar bone and a broken left arm. It was so tough to do anything by myself and
brushing my teeth was classed as a success, but with the help of my family and lots
of visits from my friends, I managed to get better and I have had five rides since.
Everyone should be aware and never forget that horses have minds of their own and
they can never be taken for granted!
Thank you Marnie for sharing your story, I got goosebumps from reading it ..
You are certainly a very
lucky girl..
The one thing I am lucky with is that I was wearing my helmet, with the impact of my
head hitting the ground, my helmet actually come off my head. It is seriously disfigured and the photo doesn’t do it justice. If I have learnt anything in this, it is that I
cannot stress the importance of wearing a helmet whenever they ride a horse, the
doctors continued to tell me how lucky I was and the helmet saved me from a lot of
damage and I may not be in the state I am if I wasn’t wearing it,
so everyone please, wear your helmets!!!
By Marni Hicks
2012
Page 3
A close call for Maddy ..
Story compliments of
Shepparton news
It was all pretty
straightforward for
doctors and nurses
at Goulburn Valley
Health.
A young girl involved in a minor
quad bike accident
in need of a couple
stitches to her leg the kind of injury
they would treat on
an almost daily basis.
But there was to be a
remarkable, and lifethreatening, twist to the case of 13-year-old Madelyn McCarty, the likes of which they had
never seen before and probably never would again.
The twist came from a dead willow tree.
It was a piece of wood nearly 20cm long with a diameter of a 20¢ coin and, unknown to
everyone, it was lodged deep in her abdomen.
''I was just shocked, really,'' surgical registrar Russell Hodgson, who operated on Maddy
with Dr Tony Heinz, said.
''I have no idea how something that big could have made such a small hole in her leg and
got all the way into her tummy.
''It was quite amazing.''
The incident occurred the Sunday before Christmas when Maddy and her father Brian
were on the quad bike rounding up cows at their 40ha Coomboona property.
Brian went to make a turn, but Maddy's foot became jammed on the accelerator, propelling the bike into a dead tree lying in a paddock.
Neither of them came off the bike and neither seemed seriously hurt.
But somehow a branch from the tree had penetrated Maddy's left thigh right up to her lower abdomen on her right side and snapped off.
It left just a small cut on her leg as evidence, nothing major, but ''something you couldn't
fix with a bandaid'', Brian said.
Maddy said it hardly even hurt.
A trip to GV Health's emergency department ensued and Maddy's leg was
stitched up, but something was not quite right and she knew it.
She became violently ill and was kept overnight.
X-rays revealed very little because of the porous nature of the stick.
Exploratory surgery performed the following day revealed the stick
lodged close to vital organs, about 1cm from her left femoral artery, and
perhaps just 1mm from her right common iliac artery.
If the latter had been cut, Dr Hodgson said, Maddy would have died before
even getting to hospital.
She was not out of the woods once the stick was out and remained extremely sick for days.
''I felt as though I was responsible in a way,'' Brian said.
''The kid was going through hell in hospital and the rest of us were just waiting to see if she
was going to be okay.
“it was a piece
of wood
nearly 20cm
long with a
diameter of
20c coin and,
unknown to
everyone, was
lodged in her
abdomen”
HULLA– BALLOO
Page 4
Maddy’s story cont..
''The first three or four days your head's in a real
spin - you can't focus on work, you can't sleep
and you're going in and out of hospital.''
By Thursday she was recovering, but it would be
another five long days until she could return
home.
''I think we had the best people in charge here,''
Brian said.
''The best doctors and surgeons and they were
able to do it successfully. They saved her life.''
For Christmas at the hospital she received a special present - a dachshund puppy she would
name Buddy, which her mother Robyn said
brought not only Maddy to tears, but also the
nurses working that day.
Days before, Maddy had been shown the piece
of wood which nearly killed her.
Thankfully Maddy is well on
the road go recovery—great
news, thank you addy for
sharing your story.
''I nearly fainted. I just felt shocked and couldn't
even look at it. I'm fine with it now - just,''
She is now back at home and feeling a little weak, but her vital organs are fine.
The piece of wood that nearly killed her is on display in a plastic container.
The quad bike has had its wheels removed and been put away for an indefinite period.
Zach Hope
Shepparton News
Photos and story courtesy of Shepparton news
This is enjoyable ..love your horse
Jeanine Hays
A little thing I read today: These are things people both new to horses and those that have had them
for a while need to remember.
1. My life is likely to last 20 or more years. Any separation from you will be painful for me. Remember
that before you take me home.
2. Give me time to understand what you want from me....
3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial to my well being.
4. Don’t be angry with me for long. Don’t lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your entertainment and your friends. I have only you.
5. Talk to me sometimes. Even if I don’t understand your words, I do understand your voice when it is
speaking to me.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I’ll never forget it.
7. Remember before you hit me that I am powerful enough to hurt you, but choose not to.
8. Before you scold me for being uncooperative, obstinate or lazy, ask yourself if something might be
bothering me. Perhaps I have a problem that you are not yet aware of.
9. Take care of me when I am old. You too will be old one day.
10. Go with me on the last journey. Never say “I can’t bear to watch or let it happen in my absence.”
Everything is easier for me if you are there. Remember that I love you.
2012
Page 5
SMASHING FORCE
Our story...
It was new years day of 1999 when our family were enjoying the races at Merton, Smashing Force, Owned and trained by local trainer
Ron Tait, was racing. It was the horse’s 46th start, with only one win to his name, in a 3 horse field, could he do it?
The answer was no. He was dropped off at our place that afternoon. Pete, 12 years old at the time, was just starting to get a bit big for
his 14hh pony Robin Hood, and was after something bigger. We knew a horse straight off the track would be hard work, but we had no
idea just what was in store....
He was your stereotypical thoroughbred, hot, more sideways than forward, definitely had a ‘screw loose’ somewhere. So many times did
it look as though he was going to be too much of a horse for Pete. But Pete wasn’t going to give up, he persisted, he fell, and fell again...
and again... Until we discovered that when taken to pony club, or a competition, ‘Smasho’ would behave! Not once did he carry on like
he would at home that caused Pete so much drama. He jumped well; fell asleep on the sidelines... Yep, when out and about, Smasho
was the perfect horse!
To this day, Smasho still cannot be worked successfully at home. He ALWAYS misbehaves! So Pete took to working him behind the four
wheel motorbike, or off another horse, and when I took over the reins, I had to do the same. He only ever got ridden on competition day,
this kept horse and rider arguments to a minimum, and everyone was happy.
Pete took to showjumping on the thoroughbred, as he had tried eventing, but in cross country he was far too strong, and dressage – lets
just say not his cup of tea. He got him to B grade in time for the Zone Championships in 2000, coming in 4 th place qualifying for the State
Championships at Lara in 2001. He qualified for state the following few years in B grade, and then came the move to A grade, in 2004.
Pete and Smasho won the North Eastern Zone Championships in A grade in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 – five years straight. A very
credible achievement.
2005 saw Pete selected for the senior Victorian Showjumping team to compete at the National Championships in Perth. Although in the
teams events Smasho didn’t perform to his best, there was an individual ‘knockout’ event, an event based on speed over mirror image
courses and you race against another competitor, the fastest and fewest penalties go through to the next round until there is a winner...
Pete and Smasho were crowned Australian Knockout Champions.
The Senior Victorian showjumping team came 4th.
2008 was just another year at the state championships – or so we thought. Pete had never placed any better than 5th in previous years,
and out he went to do his own thing and then get in the truck and go home like normal, except one thing changed, he won. The judge on
the day said “Peter totally out-classed the opposition all day.”
He was the Victorian Showjumping Champion. Not only did he have that title to his name, but he had done every inch of work with
Smasho himself, and had fought off all those riders who paid big money for top showjumping horses, to be crowned number one. Top
effort Pete.
2009 Pete gained another selection for the Senior Victorian Showjumping team. Once again the indoor environment didn’t suit Smasho,
not to mention tragic circumstances of my old Horse dying mid-championship, their best performances couldn’t be put forward. But he
didn’t need to prove anything to us.
I take over the reins in 2010. Pete had decided that he had become too big for Smasho who is scratching 16hh, and pushing 20 years
old at the time, it was my turn.
I went straight to A grade to get Smasho to the state championships in 2011 for the tenth year in a row, and by this time it had circled
back to Lara, where it all began!
Unfortunately I couldn’t get the big wins to his name like Pete could, although we were very competitive and consistent, the younger riders and horses were just too good. The 2011 show season saw Smasho and I gain a lot of wins, which then I decided the North Eastern
Zone showjumping championships were to be his last A grade event.
Smashing Force retires as a 21year old with Five NEZ A grade championship wins, An A grade state win and a National win to his name,
36 points in C grade EFA and not to mention 100% sound.
I will never forget the day Pete was offered $10,000 to sell Smasho, before half of his successes,
and as I stood in astonishment I heard his response – “Nah, I couldn’t sell my mate!”
I would like to congratulate my brother Pete Stevens on such a successful partnership with
Smashing Force, and thank him very much for giving me the opportunity to steer the champion
around, after the tragic loss of my old A grade horse Suave in 2009 and almost giving up, it meant
a lot to be able to ride Smasho even if it was for only a short time, I hope we did you proud!
After all these years one thing about Smasho has never changed... he is still more sideways than
forward!!! But that’s why we love him!
Happy retirement Smasho... we love you buddy!
Jo Stevens
HULLA– BALLOO
Page 6
Why do I like horses?
I reckon I must be mad.
My mother wasn't horsey
And neither was my dad.
But the madness hit me early
And it hit me like a curse.
And I've never gotten better
In fact I've gotten worse.
My stables are immaculate.
My house is like a hovel.
Last year for my birthday
I got a brand new shovel.
I hardly read a paper
But I know who's sold their
horse
And I wouldn't watch the news
If Mr. Ed was on, of course.
One eye's always on the heavens
But my washing waves in vain
As I rush to get the horses in
In case it's gonna rain.
And though they're wearing 15
rugs,
The best that you can get,
I bring them in to keep them
dry
While I get soaking wet.
I spend up every cent I've got
On horsey stuff for sure.
I buy fancy rugs and fancy rugs,
And then I by some more.
I should have had that hair cut
Or bought that nice blue shirt
At least it wouldn't be now
Ripped to shreds and in the dirt.
I can't make a bloody sponge
cake
I don't even try
But I can back a car and trailer
In the twinkling of an eye.
It's pants and R.M. boots
That I live in night and day
And that smell of sweaty horses
Just doesn't wash away.
Once in every. now and then
I can dress up for a ball.
Make up and a hairdo
With high heel shoes and all.
I ache from long forgotten falls.
My knees have got no skin.
My toes have gone a funny
shape.
From being squashed again.
But late at night, when all is still
And I've gone to give them hay,
I touch their velvet softness
And my worries float away.
They give a gentle nicker
And they nuzzle through my hair
And I know it's where my heart
is
More than anywhere.
Remember to live your passions
so that your dreams
come true
State Champs Report
Congratulations to our members who will be representing the Zone at the up and
coming State Championships in February.
We are coming along well now with the plans and preparations, but we still have
need of helpers—this is a very important event for the zone to host and I find it a bit
disappointing that some clubs cannot supply a couple of helpers, we understand that
Albury is quite a drive for some of our clubs, but we hope that ALL clubs within the
zone will happily put their hands up to help on Sunday.
If you would like to help please contact Adrian.
If you know of a Horsey business who would be interested in a trade stand, please let
Issie know and I will send out the required paperwork
We have fortunately secured sponsorship from McDonalds Wodonga,
Equestrian life magazine
Albury Council
Stallion Floats
And quite a few more to be confirmed
Equestrian life have kindly donated a showbag for each competitor complete with
magazine and hat,
Don’t forget please for our members—if you want to book for dinner and purchase a
State Champs polo please send your entries into Adrian ASAP, I will send out the entry forms in a separate email
The Sub committee will be meeting at the venue on Thursday on make final arrangements for placement of gear check, marshalling ect, if you would like to meet us there
please feel free—10.30am
If you have any businesses in your town who would like to make a donation of a preduct/ products for the raffle please contact me.
**********************
Showjumpers, please remember when you walk the course, please do so as you intend to ride it .. Hat, uniform, whip, boots
ZONE NEEDS YOUR HELP PLEASE
We need to purchase a tandem trailer to house the new dressage arenas
please, if you know of one for sale, or someone who might make one to
suit could you let us know please.
Currently they are housed at Shepparton Pony Club, so clubs who have
booked them, please make arrangements with Shepparton to collect and
return them, Benalla are first on the list March 11, followed by Mansfield, maybe if
there is a member from Mansfield competing at Benalla, they could arrange to pick up direct from there, then return back to Benalla for their CT
day in June.
These arenas are there for each club in our Zone to use, please book with
Issie and I will put onto the Zone calendar so we all know where they are,
eventually, they will be housed at Benalla hopefully when we have a trailer— thank you
2012
Page 7
Welcome home Sarah ..
Hi everyone
So I'm home once again after an absolutely amazing year!
After coming back, I realise that spending the year in Denmark as a Rotary exchange student was definitely a great decision. Although I never really was in doubt.
I had two families throughout the course of the year, both of which I was really happy
with. I also went to a typical danish high-school. This was interesting in the beginning,
when I couldn’t speak or understand danish! But it gradually got better and the students
were really welcoming.
I had a big Rotary-organised trip around Europe in May. As a group of 75 exchange
students from all over the world, we travelled for 18 days to Germany, Czech Republic,
Austria, Italy, Monaco, France, Belgium and Holland.
We saw countless numbers of churches and old buildings. Here in Australia, anything that is
200
years old we consider old, but
European buildings are ancient in comparison! We
did all of the touristy things, including a gondola ride
down the canals of Venice, Italy and climbing the
Eiffel Tower in Paris.
It was incredible to see all the big attractions in Europe that I’d always seen on tv and in books, and it
was surreal to actually be there! It was also fantastic
to see parts of Europe I didn’t know much about, and
to experience those and get a better knowledge of the
countries.
Also in the summer my parents and younger brother
came to visit. They stayed for 10 days, and it was
great to show them the country and for them to see a
different way of living. We visited Legoland, which
my brother loved. We also drove to Hamburg, Germany, which again was a whole other experience. In the time my
family was there, we hired a car, and driving on the opposite side of the road was a bit of a challenge for Dad, and
definitely scary at some points!
Denmark’s not a very big country; only a population of 6,000,000. But it’s
an extremely old one, and definitely has it’s interesting history and traditions.
Denmark as a whole I found to be a really relaxed country. With beautiful
countryside and charming old buildings, I just loved it.
Exchange gives you so many life skills and great experiences, and opens all
sorts of doors. I now have contacts from all over the world, and a place to
stay if I ever want to travel again
(which I most certainly do!).
Looking very much forward to getting back into riding and competitions
Sarah McNamara
Benalla Pony Club
HULLA– BALLOO
Page 8
PCAV NEWS..
2012 RULE BOOKS now available … www.ponyclubvic.org.au
The Handbook of Bylaws, Gear Rules, Showjumping Rules and Horse Trials Rules have been updated for
2012.
These new Rule Books will come into effect on the 1st of February 2012 to down load a copy
Handbook of Bylaws
Gear Rules
Showjumping Rules
Horse Trials Rules
All changes are marked in the margin with a black line. A summary of changes will be available soon.
Copies of the new Rule Books will be available from the PCAV Shop at a cost of $5.00 per book
2012 Games, Flat & Musical Ride Schedule and Information
The 2012 Games, Flat & Musical Ride Schedule Draft is attached. This document will be ratified at the
State Council Meeting in early February
Venue—Bacchus Marsh Equestrian Centre
Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th June
PCAV State Training Workshop
The first State Training Workshop for 2012 is being hosted by Midland Zone at Bealiba Pony club on
31st March 2012.
Workshops are open to personnel from all Zones and offer a variety of topics for officials, coaches,
and riders alike.
We hope to see you there. —- check out our website for more information
National Mounted Games Skills Training Weekend and State Squad Selections
To be held at Ayr Hill Equestrian Park, Clyde North on Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th January 2012
2012
Page 9
Around the traps in December..
Howlong Pony Club - Christmas Rally
Howlong Pony Club members were treated to an extraordinarily
fabulous day at the home of our Secretary, Katrina Horne. Her
parents Tony & Jenny who own a most
delightful property by the Murray River
allowed us to use their facilities and
grounds for a Mini ODE.
Katrina did an immense amount of work
to get the grounds up to scratch, which
was greatly appreciated by all those in
attendance.
Dressage judging was carried out by Caitlyn Hiskins, with her mum, Jo,
Pencilling. All the riders appreciated the
constructive comments from Caitlyn.
A small SJ course was built using borrowed equipment, and all riders
were allowed one round, as they
would be in a real competition.
The XC course was “walked” on
horseback, as time was limited,
and riders went one a time over a
simple course, but one that entailed some ups and downs and
gave some riders their first ever
experience at riding “across country”.
Enjoy the photos of our fabulous break up rally.
END OF YEAR AWARDS
It is only the 2nd year of awards within the new Howlong Pony Club
and it was nice this year to see a few new faces in the line ups.
2012 may see some changes in how the Gear Check award is worked out - we
may even give out this trophy for something completely different in 2012.
Please any suggestions
bring them along to our
first meeting in the new
year.
HULLA-BALLOO
Wangaratta Pony Club had a fantastic Christmas Breakup party in December. The day was run as a Gymkhana with all
riders competing in different classes- from fancy dress to games and showjumping. Nearly all riders were present and
many parents commented on the big smiles on their childrens faces! The ribbons for the gymkhana were of the nontraditional type (bright yellow, two shades of purple, lime green etc...) with the most hotly contested position not being
1st place- all our young female members wanted to be placed 3rd and recieve a bright pink ribbon!
At lunchtime our chef extraordinares produced a wonderful traditional feast of roast meat and vegies- accompanied by
a sweet or salad that all members brought to share. But before lunch, Santa's Mini Me- Nicholas- came riding in on a
shetland pony bearing carrots and gifts for our 2 and 4 legged friends!
So a great day was had by all- Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our PCAV friends.
Renee - DC Wangaratta Pony Club
FOR SALE—MADE TO ORDER *** LM BROWBANDS,
By Lucy Crawford ** Howlong Pony Club
If you want to order please contact Lucy on Facebook
Well done Lucy .. I am sure you will have lots of orders come in—very professional
Contact ..
Could all clubs please forward to Lisa McMaster their Club treasurers name, contact numbers and addresses
please, we don't have full listing of clubs executive contacts.
Lisa.mcmaster5@bigpond.com
If a club has had a change of Sec or DC would you please let me know also? I will send you all a list of the contacts
I have at present, and if there are changes please email me - thank you
STATE CHAMPS—NEXT MONTH—please contact Adrian Issie or Tania if you have any questions, suggestions, or
just want to help—all most welcome
See you all soon ** happy 2012
issie