Feb 3, 2017
ENNERDALE ARABIANS Congratulations to Russell Gillingham for successfully guiding Ennerdale Rubik through his first 80km Endurance Ride at Ararat a fortnight ago.The aim was to give the horse experience and successfully complete the ride. Rubik however exceeded all expectations and placed 4th Heavyweight & 4th Best Conditioned Heavyweight. The horse vetted well throughout the ride and pulled up in very good condition. Well done Sharon on a good job strapping. ... See more
MRS JEAN LUCKOCK - What a Horsewoman Victorian Jean Luckock (1912-1990) was another equestrian born ahead of her time. Her influence on our sport has been extensive. If anyone deserves a 'Hall of Fame' award (even if belated) it is her. What a remarkable story. In 1947 Jean took herself to England (no mean feat for a woman in those days and a long trip by sea) to see for herself this 'new' type of riding. She went to the yard where England was training their Olympic eventing team (Capt. Tony Colling's Pollock Vale Equestrian Centre). She was instantly hooked by this 'new' riding, the British Pony Club System and dressage. Determined to introduce Australia to this, she returned and started work. The following list gives you an idea of what she accomplished: - She founded the Western District Pony Club (with Bess Coy and Barbara Nash) - the first pony club with Mountain View Pony Club in Australia; she was Vice-President of the Pony Club Association of Victoria from 1956-1965, and a Visiting Commissioner (D.C.I) and was awarded Life Membership in the mid 1960s. - With Colin Kelly, Jean started the Caramut Riding Club - running dressage (which was considered 'sissy' in those days), one-day-events and instruction days. She was very involved with the Western District Dressage Club and Barwidgee Dressage Club until she died. - Jean played polocrosse in the first Hexham team with Mavis and Bill Roycroft and was involved with the foundation of the Victorian Branch of the Victorian Stock Horse Society where she became one of the original classifiers. - She was devoted to the Arabian breed and her stud farm 'Ennerdale', founded in 1949, is one of the oldest continuing studs in Australia. It is still being run today by her grand-daughters Jane Gough and Kate Luckock and great grand-daughter Sophie. She was a foundation member and Director of the Arabian Horse Society of Australia, awarded Life Membership, was an Australian and International judge, foundation member of the Victorian Arabian Horse Association, Life Member and Patroness. Some of the horses Ennerdale has bred have gone on to wonderful careers - including part bred Jonathon who with John Kelly was on the short list for the Rome Olympics. Others played Gold Cup polo and became Grand Prix dressage horses. With their substance and temperaments they made (and make) wonderful riding and sport horses for all standards. This remarkable woman, despite suffering motor neurone disease (MND) in her later years remained active and interested in our sport up until her death. We should all campaign for Jean to be awarded an Equestrian Victoria and Equestrian Australia Hall of Fame posthumously. She was a quiet achiever who achieved so much for us all. ... See more
