Team Barastoc's David Finch and Robert Moffat
We are starting to get used to being surrounded by all this green grass which it is fantastic for all the foals and mares not to mention the bank balance . I’ve been on teaching marathon which has seen me venture to many different parts of the country getting riders ready for a variety of competitions as well as just some back to basic tune ups. The clinics have been going really well and it’s always nice to catch up with old friends and meet new clients . The country looks great everywhere with the good season being widely spread.
The National Inter Schools was held at the start of October at the Werribee Equestrian centre I went down too help Elysia Roach who rode really well to place in the 1.2 metre classes despite having a mishap in the truck .Elysia is forming a very strong relationship with her wonderful mare O’ So Happy due to her truck mishap Elysia decided not to start in the last class a very mature decision. Abbey Seidel and her parents made the long trek from Darwin via Finch Farm to Werribee a mammoth drive from one end of the country to the other .It proved a very successful trip with Abbey doing exceptionally well on both her horses we also wish Ben her father well this week as he competes in the Warwick Gold Cup Campdraft this week .
I was late leaving Melbourne due to fog then proceeded to miss my connection flight too Charleville which made for a bug day of travel I ended up flying into Roma and getting a lift too Charleville . Once I got there we had a great clinic and it is always nice to catch up with everyone even if they do continue to grow up and make me feel old .
I flew back in from Charleville and we got in the truck to head to Dubbo for The National Jumping Championships being organised by Edwena Mitchell. It was a big show with 3 rings and many horses making for some super jumping .The ground started out a little hard then rained so got a little soft but by the end it all seemed pretty good . We had a good show with all ours jumping well , AEA Orox owned by the Brown Family placed 4TH in one of the Futurity Qualifiers the went onto run 2nd to Stephen Dingwell and Cavalier Bryn in the final . Apart from Stephen it was a very Queensland affair with Robert 2nd Shane Davidson on Fairbanks Casper 3rd Clem Smith Guru 4th and Shane Davidson 5th on Fairbanks Lu Lu.
The National Junior Championship was won by Tom McDermott on Capone he also tied with Gemma Creighton , Jake Hunter and himself on his other horse for 2nd 3rd and 4th . 5th place went to kate Hinschen who performed really well again making her debut at this level . Kate actually won the second qualifier which was also the team class which was won well by Qld with the Team of Kate Hinschen , Gemma Creighton , Kirstie Ansell and Emily Patterson well done ladies . The National Young Riders Championships was won by Evie Buller on Yalambi Landor . This combination took all before on their Qld campaign this year, well done to Evie and her lovely family from Western Australia . Nelson Smyth from Rockhampton in Qld won the first 2 qualifiers convincingly and was leading going into the last round but luck wasn’t on their side with a stop and some rails. However it was a mighty effort Nelson well done and keep up the good work .
The Mini Prix was exciting for Finch Farm with Hilary Scott winning on the beautiful Oaks Miss Scarlet , this fabulous mare has just produced a colt foal via embryo transfer to one of our stallions Charlemagne Ego Z . Well done Hilary , Alice and your super Team of horses and people . Chris Chugg ran 2nd on Alondra with 3rd going too Merrick Ubank on Hue and Cry .The National Senior Championship was a popular win by Paul Asthanasoff on his and Charlie Hookes sensational Wirragulla Nicholaus .
So home from Dubbo the mares are foaling well and I couldn’t be happier with what we have produced this year . The stallions have been very busy being shipped around the country I wish everyone the best for their breeding season this year and hope everyone breeds a champion .
Once again thank you to all my wonderful clients I thank you for your ongoing support and faith in what we are doing at Finch Farm . Thank you to the Team at Barastoc and Saddleworld Rockhampton you are without a doubt great sponsors and the leaders of your fields .
