The 2007 Gawler Horse Festival.
Monday, April 16, 2007
The Gawler Horse Festival is a Biennial Event held in Gawler, South Australia, over four days in April. This year it was April 12-15, 2007. I attended the event on the Saturday where I spent some time taking photos and video of the Show Jumping Finals.
The image above is probably one of the best I took on the day that featured, what I feel, is a really dramatic sky. The clouds kept the day cool and, whilst it looked like it might rain, it didn't. You can buy the above image as a print from Red Bubble.
The whole event over four days features many different horse related competitions and demonstrations with riders from around the world including; Show jumping, Natural Horsemanship, Carriage Driving, Show horses, Australian Stock Horses, Mini horse and ponies, Vaulting and more. Below I've posted some video I took of the last few runs of the SA Senior State Show Jumping Championship.
I apologize in advance for not knowing who the riders are. If you happen to know feel free to add a comment below. I wasn't really there for the events other than it was a great opportunity to photograph horses in action. However the video gives you some idea of what it was like from a spectators point of view (minus sound, which my little digicam doesn't record - hence the song to keep your ears amused).
The final day is Gawler Cup Day, where punters can place a bet on the races. If you're into horse racing then this day is worth attending (especially if you can score an invite into the sponsors marquee - as I did the first year the event was run).
As you can probably tell, I'm not really a big horse fan but, with Gawler becoming something of the horse capital of Australia with this event, it's almost expected that you'll go along for at least one day. If you are a horse fan mark this on your calendar of events in two years time!
I love watching horse jumping and trials, gymkhanas et. I like to watch at shows, but usually have to make do with TV, but there hasn't been anything on for years now.
In WA, they used to televise horse jumping at the Burswood Centre, and at some showgrounds which I have forgotten now. I even got to know the names of some of the regular riders each year, but they don't seem to put it on now.
I find it very interesting to see who gets a 'clear round.' The advantage of TV is that you can see the close-ups of the jumping. It's particular interesting when someone comes off (though not always good for the rider or horse, I know) or the horse refuses to jump, but sometimes makes it.
I also like to watch sheep dog trials which used to be on TV, but isn't shown now either.
You should mark on your calendar to be in Gawler, April 2009 then. The Gawler Horse Festival has all that - even the gymkhana (but not the sheep dogs). It's very cheap admission too. You could go all four days and still not break the bank.
I am South Australian Artist, 'TET' or 'The Extraordinary Tourist'. Read about things that interest me, particularly art, social commentary, humour and life observations. Please feel free to leave a comment by clicking the 'Comments' link at the bottom of each entry.
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