The Stable Magazine - April 2016

Once again, March rolls around and
we are thrilled, as always, to take the
beautiful trek out to Wandin in Victoria’s
picturesque Yarra Valley, for the Wandin
International Horse Event.
The bustling trade village - retail therapy!
Getting clever with scrabble letters. =)
Why yes! I’d love some Bacon & Egg Coffee!
Wandin is an event like no other - so relaxed, so casual,
and so spectator friendly. With gorgeous views of rolling
hills, and vantage points where you can see almost the
entire cross country course, Wandin is the ideal event
for the family - or as we like to point out - to spend the
day in the sunshine with a beverage or two. (Still yet to
eventuate, too many horses to photograph!)
This year was no exception, once again, the trade village
was buzzing, the bar was open, the competition was in
full flight, and food vans were offering delicious wares
(including bacon and egg coffee - actually, no, it was
just a misleading sign, but an interesting idea!)
Action begins on the Saturday, as riders completed
their dressage phase. With so many classes running
it’s impossible to take in every test. With almost
600 entries, the whole event is strangely organised,
it’s so relaxed despite the pure volume of horses,
riders and spectators, and everything just appears
to fall into place. (I’m sure it doesn’t, and that it’s
due to brilliant organisation on the part of the
handworking people that make it all happen, but
Wandin is such a relaxing venue that you’d be
forgiven for thinking that a higher power
had a part in it!)
The three star, two star and one star
classes all pulled a crowd, but in the
EA and training levels, the standard
was just as high. We hit the ground
running, heading out to the
sand arenas to
take some
photos. Once
the dressage
phase is
complete,
standings
are
posted,
and then >
din photos online - www.thestablemagazine.com/photos
The Stable Magazine 37