We are delighted that Envision Financial are again partnering with NCHTA to bring you our highly anticipated national event. In 2024, Eventing NSW requested that we run the FEI event in the first half of 2025, which replaced our usual calendar place for the national event. So the wait is now over for those riders in the EvA65 class!
What is Envision Financial?
They will help you plan and realise the future you’d like to have. Not everything to do with money is simple, and sometimes you can make the wrong decision not because you want to, but because you don’t know what you don’t know. They can help you plan a more confident financial future by providing personal financial advice.
You will be seeing posts from NCHTA and other eventing clubs thanking sponsors and encouraging riders to show their appreciation. This is why:
This is a summary of costs from the CCI event we ran in 2023 (showing you the information from our 2024 event was even more depressing as the income from entries was so low, and our loss so bigger). These figures don’t include the $8500 spent building jumps, as these will be used for several years.
Those with basic maths can see that expenses were $84000 and income $82000.
Without sponsorship, our loss would have been much more significant. So please interact with social media posts with sponsor info, like or share, and show appreciation to those who make it all possible!
And carrying on with that theme, here are the sponsors for our event in 2025:
By now, everyone will be busily planning their eventing year and will probably have noticed that the calendar looks a little different this year. To understand why, it is best to explain to you all how the calendar evolves and why it has changed.
NCHTA is part of Eventing NSW, and the organisers of all NSW events get together and try to arrange them in some reasonable order.
The primary idea behind creating a calendar is to plan events so that horses can qualify for the major competitions of the year, namely Adelaide 5* and Sydney 3DE. Clubs that run FEI events get priority in the calendar, and then national events fill the gaps.
NCHTA’s spring event has been an FEI event, which was ideal when Adelaide was in November, and our national event runs in the first part of the year.
Dates for FEI events are determined around August of the preceding year and submitted to the FEI along with the booking fees.
In 2024, the September event suffered low entries as Sydney* ran an event the weekend before (this date wasn’t confirmed until 5 weeks before the event and there was no way to move at that point). This was not ideal, with NCHTA running at a significant deficit (the costs of running an FEI event are high; accommodation and travel costs for the officials was close to $22000). When the calendar was being planned for 2025, and Sydney had the weekend before NCHTA’s allocated date in March, attempts were made to reschedule.
NCHTA runs events at Equestrian Park, and that calendar is also complicated with several other clubs’ bookings needing juggling with their disciplines’ peak bodies. Thanks to ACTSJC for being adaptable, NCHTA was able to change the date to the first weekend in April. The only catch with this weekend was that Eventing NSW required an FEI event to be run in the lead-up to Adelaide (Wallaby Hill had previously been allocated that weekend).
The committee of NCHTA have always tried to remain true to our mission statement:
NCHTA is committed to providing a first class environment for all levels of riders to compete, from EvA65 to the 4* level, aswell as training clinics.
Therefore, the decision has been made to run events with our FEI event (EvA80 to 4*) in the first part of the year, and our national event running from EvA65 in the second. We realise that this is disappointing for riders who had been looking forward to having a 65 start in the first part of the year, but hope that you will understand that we are unable to run 7 classes XC at an event for the following reasons:
Lack of room on XC for that many courses
insufficient flags for all the jumps required
insufficient room to park everyone.
NCHTA will still run a mid winter day, with a commitment to run the pairs fancy dress as we know how this is a highlight for many, and we love seeing riders enjoying themselves.
We also have a clinic with Sam Lyle booked for the 15/16 February,
We hope that this help answer some of the questions.
2025 is going to be a very different year, as it will be our first without Ben Smith. He has left us with a legacy of a terrific XC course, and are determined that many events will be held in the future.
It is with immeasurable sadness that I write this post to advise NCHTA members and friends of the death of our beloved Ben Smith.
Ben with one of the many jumps he made.
If you needed to find Ben, find the tractor, and he wasn’t far away. Photo credit: Fiona Gruen
Recent committee photo. Photo credit: Fiona Gruen
Ben with Nat, who rides JJ Flash, JJ is owned by Ben and an indication of his love for music. Photo credit: Min Murray
Ben keeping an eye on the XC course. Photo credit: Fiona Gruen
Ben has been the power behind Canberra Horse Trials for almost three decades. He has been course builder, course designer, treasurer and the rock on which our club is built. Eventing in Canberra will never be the same without Ben.
Not one to seek the limelight, Ben was known and respected across the NSW eventing community and beyond. At the recent Camden event we couldn’t go 20 metres without him running into someone who wanted to catch up and share news and views about our sport.
As an owner, Ben loved watching his horses going around with Nat, Tori and Grace – and he loved those horses, especially the incomparable Molly (Girl with a Curl).
Ben died peacefully, surrounded by family and the music that was also a big part of his life. The family will welcome people to celebrate Ben’s life in the new year and in the meantime we thank everyone who has shared their sympathies and memories with us.
Activity on the course is full steam ahead, with every course now flagged and waiting to be decorated. The TD’s will be arriving on Wednesday to inspect it and then we will be able to publish the maps on the cross-country app.
Planning is underway for the layout of the trade village with the following exhibitors all locked in.
Neigh Hay stockfeed supplies Canberra, Gundaroo, Murrumbateman and Sutton with quality hay, chaff, hard feed, horse supplements, chicken feed, dog food and animal salts. We source hay from farmers that are passionate about producing top quality hay. Our hay is feed tested so you know what your horse is getting. Our hay comes direct from the farm and pick up points are in Murrumbateman, Sutton, or directly to you with wholesale orders. Happy horses, happy owners – happy Neigh Hay!
Castlefin Equestrian is an online and mobile Equestrian business based in the Yarra Valley, Victoria. We keep up with the latest trends and source top quality products from around the world to improve the performance of the Horse and Rider, with an emphasis on increasing the comfort and safety of both.
Do you want to feel and look your absolute best while still being environmentally friendly at an affordable price point? Then you need to take a look at the beautiful range by Lady Godiva Equestrian! All of their products are designed by riders, for riders to ensure they are extremely comfortable and practical while also looking amazing! Lady Godiva Equestrian strives to use
materials that are both better for the environment and for your horses skin, for example our
saddle pads all feature a bamboo blend underside which is moisture wicking, antibacterial, and hypoallergenic while also being one of the most sustainable fabrics in the world.
This not- for -profit volunteer organisation will provide social marquees at equestrian competitions for Riders, Owners, Officials and supporters to congregate. Placed in front of the Show jumping rings, it will be in prime position for everyone to come, sit, relax and catch all the action. Come to meet up with friends or make new ones and enjoy the opportunity to network and socialise with people linked by a love of horses and equestrian sports! No entry or joining fee, water refill station available and smart device recharge for anyone who might need it.
Completely Equine is an equestrian apparel and saddlery boutique with the most extensive range of premium brands in Australia. Whether it is matchy matchy or highly functional and technical, Completely Equine has you covered. They will be bringing a large range of Dada Sport, Cavalleria Toscana, Samshield, Kingsland, Premier Equine, Veredus and LeMieux and Flexon Stirrups to the event.
Completely Equine will be showcasing the FREEJUMP X’AIR SAFE- a unique combination between a body protector and an airbag vest. 8 times more protective than a body protector
alone and 4 times more protective than a body protector with a separate airbag over the top. Pop in to see Lance and have a chat and try out this new technology with safety at the
forefront. They will also be measuring for custom boots from DeNiro and Cavallo throughout the weekend #freejump #airsafe
Equest sport is a saddlery promotion and distribution company. We Represent Freejump, Samshield, Struck Apparel and Jump In for the Australian market. We are at Canberra this weekend representing freejump and promoting our new brands Struck and Jump In
Now that the entries have all been accepted, we have started planning how the day will run.
The pairs will go on course first – at 9am . Over 35 pairs are competing – and don’t forget that fancy dress is encouraged! More information to come – there will be an email coming to everyone soon!
Ensure adequate water intake in the days before and during competition – a resting 500kg horse needs to consume ~25 litres over 24 hours, but this can double to 50 Litres with increased temperatures and exercise. To increase water intake, provide electrolytes and salt, wet down feed and soak hay, and provide fresh, cool water at all times. Keeping your horse hydrated is also useful to avoid colic!
Keep warm-ups to a minimum.
After each phase, walk the horse for a few minutes to cool down and then commence active cooling with high volumes of cold water, (including iced water if available), and ensure to scrape off thoroughly. Also, apply ice boots. Key areas to cool are the jugular veins (underside of the neck), the femoral arteries (between hind legs) and the lower abdomen. Aggressive cooling measures should continue until the water is no longer heating up on the horse or until the horse’s temperature is 38°C or less.
House your horse in the shade between phases. If your yard is in direct sunlight, ensure to keep the horse in the shade for at least 30 to 60 minutes after active cooling. Use a light weight and light-coloured cotton rug to reflect heat. If your horse is stabled, ensure adequate airflow or remove the horse from the box into the shade.
Consider your individual horse’s fitness level and the conditions you have been training under. If your horse is not quite as fit as they could be and you have been training in cooler conditions, please take it especially easy. Please find Tash for a chat or call 0424 959 115 if you have any questions about managing your horse in the heat over the weekend.
National Capital Horse Trials Association 