NCHTA – 2015-16 President’s Report
It’s been a great privilege to serve as NCHTA President again this year.
I want to start by thanking all NCHTA committee members for their support and patience with a largely absent President. As always, Kate Mackenzie has carried a huge load as event secretary and also as keeper of the club’s social media presence and coordinator of many other club matters (not to mention running the Sam Lyle and other clinics that members have enjoyed). Also particular thanks to NCHTA Secretary Jackie Szczepanik and to Ben Smith for keeping the books in order.
The major activities of the year, of course, were the events in October 2015 and March 2016. Both were extremely successful. We had great coverage of the October event, which yet again attracted a number of Olympians and other top flight riders. Thanks to Fiona Gruen for the great media work!
Also a massive thanks to the 100+ volunteers and officials who make our CIC and CNC events possible – too many to name, but we couldn’t do it without you all. And finally in the thank you stakes, to our sponsors, who provide such valuable support in so many ways.
The March event was rather more sombre, being only a week after Olivia Inglis’ fatal accident at Scone. The organising committee was seriously impressed with the mature and thoughtful way our younger members marked this tragedy, offering black stars for riders to wear on their sleeves and saddle-cloths, and creating a condolence book for the Inglis family. Thank you to Tori Doak, Katy Doak, Hannah Klep and Kelsey Szczepanik – we’re really proud of your sportsmanship, as well as your impressive achievements on board your beloved ponies.
Unfortunately, our planned Eventer Trial in June had to be cancelled, due to the recent wet weather. However, I’d like to make special mention of the fact that a heap of people turned up to help flag the course the weekend before the first scheduled date. The job was done in record time, proving that many hands do indeed make light work!
On another positive note, we received grants from the ACT Government and Eventing NSW for NCHTA to buy its own set of quality showjumps from our great sponsor Over the Top – enough for a CIC*** event. This will make life much easier for organisers of events and training days, reducing our reliance on ACT Showjumping Club, and enabling us to be more independent and flexible. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Jump Club for their support over many years. They’ve been great partners, and I’m sure we will continue to share equipment and volunteers in the years ahead.
Meanwhile, the cross country course becomes more impressive at every event, thanks largely to Ben Smith’s tireless efforts. I don’t know where we would be without him! Last year we were also fortunate to have a visit from renowned international course designer, Mike Etherington-Smith, as well as a change in the course plan to remove the first creek crossing, thanks to our new course designer, Vince Roche. We also welcomed back the charming Dan Olson from Sweden, who has been a fantastic addition to our course design and building team for a few years now. The change in course also meant a new start box, complete with a plaque to commemorate the life of Alan De Courcy Ellis, who spent so many years keeping us all calm as he counted us down, wished us luck and reminded us to enjoy the ride. He is sadly missed in the Secretary’s office!
This time last year, we were in the midst of discussions with the ACT Heritage Council about a proposed listing of the Yarralumla Woolshed that included most of the cross country course as “rural landscape”. While we couldn’t convince the Heritage Council that the course shouldn’t be included in the listing, I’m pleased to report that it is now specifically recognised in the provisional registration documents. That wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work and persistence of Christine Lawrence (President of ACTEA) and the support of the equestrian community. I’d like to particularly thank Grant Johnston, who mobilised national and international support (including the aforementioned Mike E-S) to ensure the Heritage Council understood just what it take to develop and maintain a cross country course, and how important ours is to the sport.
So, all in all, it’s been another busy year and we’ve successfully muddled through again. I wish the new committee all the very best with the year ahead.
Rachel Stephen-Smith
3 August 2016
National Capital Horse Trials Association 