Gala Photography will again be our official photographers. Please see their new contact details below. They will do photography around the event throughout the day and people are welcome to book for particular time slots. Photographs will be available for purchase on line within 48 hours following the event. Gala Photography can provide video for dressage on the sand arenas. Please note you need to book and pay ahead of time or on the day for video.

logo

Email: info@galaphoto.com.au

Phone: 02 4862 7500

Web: www.galaphoto.com.au

Online Gallery: www.galaphoto.com.au/sales

September 18 2011 Official Open Club Championships -

Results and Champions

The Southern Highlands put on one of its truly beautiful spring days for the Bowral Dressage Club Championships on September 18. Riders came from as far afield as Sydney and Canberra to complete a total of 193 tests, ranging from Preliminary to Intermediare 11.

While the grounds looked a picture, the watering system was faulty. Riders on the sand arenas had to contend with some dust, but for the most part everyone was pretty philosophical about it, for which the Committee was very grateful.

See attached results:

September 2011 Results

September Competition Champions

BDC Annual General Meeting report ...

The Bowral Dressage Club AGM held at the Scottish Arms, East Bowral on August 10 was a small, but productive gathering. Firstly, the Club welcomes two new general Committee members – Lesley Gray and Robyn Whitehead.

President Andrew Hearn reports...

It’s been a great 12 months as my first year back as president (Andrew previously held the position in 2002-03) and I have really enjoyed watching the Club come along in leaps and bounds thanks to the enthusiasm of this new Committee. I have felt very comfortable in being President, and although I don’t do a tenth as much as most other Committee members, it’s great to feel confident that BDC has an extremely competent, committed and enthusiastic Committee in place. Over the next year, with the experience we already have under our belts, there will be no stopping us.

This time a year ago I remember receiving an envelope with about a 20 page list of duties to be done by the President throughout the year. I thought it seemed quite excessive (and quite daunting) at the time, but in fact it was just an abbreviation of what is normally done by our Committee.

I thank not only everyone on the Committee for their contribution, but all those helpers throughout the year at competitions, - like Warren Pratley and Sally Hallis - who have come along and given their time just to make the day work better.

Sponsorship and donations: Along the way I have observed the donations that have been given to the Club: again, Warren, with the wonderful fruit as raffle prizes; donations “above and beyond” from long-time members like Katherine Olsen and Phil and Judy Street, The generosity of Mark and Yvonne, whenever anything is needed by the Club, it’s just too easy.

Thank you to (Secretary) Annette and (Event Co-ordinator) Toni, without whom we would be stagnant, Thank you to Pam for her meticulous work as Treasurer, Ali and Lindy for Judges’ Co-ordination, Carol for organising volunteers so well, Sally and Jan for the website, Peter for Young Riders, arenas and grounds, Genevieve for membership, and Rachel, Jan, Danielle, Silvia and Julie for all of the running around and organisation toward the competitions.

Ground improvement: The Bong Bong Picnic Race Club Committee is really motoring along and working hard at improving the grounds, of which they, and BDC, can be very proud. While we at BDC have those grounds, there is no reason why we cannot grow to be one of the largest clubs in Australia.

Highlife, August 2011

BDC member and top dressage rider, Brett Parbery, sees the Highlands becoming a major hub. “I really think within the next 10 years, the Highlands will be the centre of Australian dressage. Sydney and Melbourne are where the action is and many of the main events are within two hours of the Highlands.”

We are raising money and getting grants for: two more sand arenas; upgrading eight stables for the Club’s use; a trophy cabinet for BDC in the clubhouse, and there are other projects on the far horizon.

Events: BDC has decided to pay our Event Secretary/Co-ordinator an honorarium of $500 per competition. If Snafflebytes is unable to score, Toni will be paid the same rate they receive per test ie, $1.40. This will put BDC in line with most other Clubs that have recognised the work involved in bringing an event together is a huge ask.

In addition, feedback the Committee has received from various members suggests more Practice Days would be popular. They offer a chance to try out your horse on the sand arenas and run through a test with a discerning “eye on the ground”/”gentle judge”. And the sausage sizzle is good too.

Catering: It’s great to see the quality of food we are offering the judges and pencillers, and hopefully this will influence them to return to Bowral competition days. A special thank you to Danielle and Ally who have made life so much easier and affordable in that respect.

The Ball: It was so good to have a ball again, not only for the Club members, but to get out and see everyone out of their jodphurs and helmets. The fraternity it brings to the Club is invaluable and as well, it was a bloody good night! Genevieve Wild did a fantastic job and we are already looking forward to the next one. ur thanks go to the many sponsors who helped to make the night a success.

Finances: While our current General Account bank balance is respectable for 2010 - $7,285 – the Committee realises it’s not all about money. There are several things we need to address but the first two are scoring and membership.

The Future: It’s well recognised by the Committee we need to get scores up more quickly and then update the website within 24 hours after a competition. Membership, too, needs to be addressed because while we have many new members, “old” ones have not been reminded/have forgotten, to renew. Having said that, we have 127 friends on Facebook.

The Committee is well aware of the Club’s responsibilities to its members. Now, having established what is arguably one of the best set-ups for dressage in regional Australia, we need to expand. The hard yards of establishing ourselves at Bong Bong, funding and building our arenas, and finding a home are now behind BDC. It’s time to enjoy ourselves.

September 2011 Championships - official photographer

Gala Photography will again be our official photographers at the 2011 Championships. They will do photography around the event throughout the day and people are welcome to book for particular time slots. Photographs will be available for purchase on line within 48 hours following the event. Gala Photography can provide video for dressage on the sand arenas. Please note you need to book and pay ahead of time or on the day for video.

logo

Email: info@galaphoto.com.au

Phone: 02 4862 7500

Web: www.galaphoto.com.au

Online Gallery: www.galaphoto.com.au/sales

Fun at the BDC Ball

The food was good, the company was great, AND we made a profit of $8000.

Yes folks, the Bowral Dressage Club “Tiaras and Tails” Ball was a wonderful fundraiser for our Ground Development. Held at Mittagong RSL on July 16, 140 guests – both horsey and non – took the theme of the Ball very seriously. There were tiaras, tails and bling in all directions and of every description.

The night opened with champagne and guava juice. The tables were beautifully decorated in black and silver. As a lucky door prize, tiaras were secreted under certain chairs, each with a voucher from Moss Vale Video Ezy.

BDC President, Andrew Hearn, conducted a live auction, accompanied by a silent auction as well. Many thanks must go to the sponsors who donated wonderful goods and services. So thanks very much to:

Silvia Ahmer and Nadine Adams

Gwaihir Stud

Mark Dowling

Mittagong RSL

Barber Barrows

Saddleworld Mittagong

Equissentials

Horsewerks

Bowral Co-Op

Portfolio Hair

Hot Canary Butchery

Babalonia

Ella Bache Bowral

The Countryman

Raph Kennedy Equine Angel

Elka Fischer Bodyworks

Farrier Perry Lethorne

John McGill, McGill’s Transport Moss Vale

Brett Parbery

Mel Parbery

Sue Hearn

Janice Usherwood

Matthew Dowsley

Robali Stud

Carol Pratley

Peter Rocca

Rebecca Booth, Elemental Equine Therapy

There were no less than five lessons up for grabs from our wealth of local dressage instruction.

Thanks, too, must go to Genevieve Wild for her fabulous organisational and creative effort.

For more photos see our Facebook page.

Bowral Dressage Club now has a Facebook Page

Please check our facebook page for all the latest news on events and everything dressage from the Southern Highlands region - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=115373238142&v=wall

July 2011 Practice and Training Day

The BDC Protocol Day on July 3 was such fun. Preceding the most foul weather the Highlands can produce (July 5 onwards) the weather was just perfect- mild and wind –free. Some BDC members went through a wide range of tests with Mark helping, while others just pottered about, getting their horses accustomed to the sand arenas. Most were able to enjoy the fraternity of the sausage sizzle at 12.30. And we were all done and dusted by 1.30.

Many thanks go to Carol Pratley and Toni Abela for organising the logistics. But special thanks must go to Mark Dowling. He prepared the arenas and helped all the test riders having suffering a very personal tragedy – the death of his brother – on Friday night. His stoicism and his dedication to BDC and the sport of dressage are much appreciated by BDC. Mark, our condolences and thoughts are with you.

Ground Development Report

We are now working towards raising funds to further develop behind the hill to put another 2 sand arenas in. We are in the process of getting quotes to see what funds are needed to complete this area. We will then be able to again apply for funds from the Regional Sports Facilities Program. An update will be forthcoming once quotes are in.

To improve 8 stables in the complex we now have a quote of $10,000. We are in the process of requesting BBPRC, Polocrosse, and the Show Society to share the costs.

A quote for a cabinet to hold all our inaugural trophies in the pavilion is now being obtained.

Mark Dowling & Yvonne Springett

Ground Development

Information for Volunteers

Site Plan

BDC Information for Volunteers - Download Here

BDC Penciller Guidelines - Download Here

Dressage NSW - Gear Check - Download Here

EFA Dressage Tests - Download Here

Prix St Georges - Download Here

Inter I - Download Here

Inter II - Download Here

Grand Prix - Download Here

Online Entries

Follow the following link to the website: www.nominate.com.au. To ease you into online entries, there is a step-by-step instruction sheet available on the BDC web site.

A guide showing how to complete an online entry is available to Download Here.

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The information and views expressed on this site are not necessarily those held by Bowral Dressage Club or it's members. Information and event dates are given as a guide and can be subject to change.

No part of this website may be copied or reproduced without the written permission of the Bowral Dressage Club Inc committee.

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Leaderboard presentation 2011 - Flyer download

February Young Horse Qualifier Comp - Entry form Here

(Updated file 4/1/12) 19th February Official & Associate Competition entry form. To be in by January 25th 2012

December 2011 Christmas Competition

Unfortunately had to be abandoned because of the weather and safety. However, the winner of the raffle for the Summer Fruit Basket was Kristie Lee from Bargo. CONGRATULATIONS!!

December 2011 Members Championship -Draw Available Here