Amy Kennedy and Goandcullect at EITP Photo by Waylib Photos - Wayne Edwards
Amy Kennedy and Goandcullect experienced thrill like no other, when the pair made their way from Albany to compete at this year’s Equestrian In The Park at Crown on Saturday, November 25th at the glamorous grounds of Crown Perth.
With a large number of competitors entered into the three classes on the day, there was something special about Amy and ‘Ajay’, with Goandcullect the lone standardbred entered to compete, flying the flag for the versatile, yet underestimated breed.
“It was like no event I’ve competed in,
“the prestige, atmosphere, quality of field, sponsors and crowds was unbelievable and really nothing like I’d experienced.”
With the course composing of 23 jumps, with a mixture of 1.05m fixed jumps and brush jumps at a whopping 1.25m high, Equestrian In The Park is not for the faint hearted, but when Amy picked up Goandcullect after his last start in Albany 5 years ago, she could never have dreamed that the pair would be where they are today.
“To finish 12th in that level field, with a horse that had a saddle on for the first time at age 8 and learnt to go around at that level in 5 years is amazing.
“Walking the course, I honestly was just happy if I could get over the first few fences, it was technical and big and that’s a task for an experienced horse, but for Ajay who isn’t the easiest to get around a course with his gaits, it was another thing entirely,
“But to his credit, he stepped off the float and completely soaked in the atmosphere and he wasn’t phased at all,
If competing and finishing clear wasn’t accomplishment enough for the pair, Amy Kennedy and Goandcullect took out the highest place Rookie Award for their class, an amazing achievement in the large 47 competitor class.
“As we were getting through the course, I could hear the crowd cheering louder and louder, and so by the time I was up to the second last fence with one cross country fence left, I knew I might possibly get through to the jump off,
“the crowd was just going wild, and it was just so overwhelming, to have that much support was incredible and I couldn’t help but shed a few tears going through the finish, just realising what we’d just done.”
Behind every rider on the day, was their fantastic groom and support, and that was no different for Kennedy, who thanked her best friend Samantha Scoble who not only was a massive support at EITP but is her right-hand woman at almost every event that the two attend.
“It’s amazing to have someone with you who understands and supports you, but also my personal sponsors Wholeherd Therapies and Saddle Fit who has been a massive part of this year, and who was even waiting in the cool down area to help – heels and all.”
“I’d like to ass a special mention to Les Bunning, who warmed me up and has supported me for years through lessons and at events, it was great to be able to share such an achievement with him there.”
These events are a massive undertaking, with many hundreds if not thousands of hours going into organising, constructing, and running the event, but Kennedy was very thankful to all the event organisers, in particular Kate Ingham who not only was an integral part of the organisation of Equestrian In The Park, but also managed to ride in the event herself, finishing in 7th placing in the Grand Prix class.
This year, Amy Kennedy and Goandcullect were chosen as the sponsored rider/combination for the Standardbred Pleasure & Performance Horse Association of WA (SPPHAWA), both proving very worthy of their sponsorship, flying the flag for the breed that is ever growing in popularity in the show ring.
The pair were also sponsored by Freedom Exercise and Physiology.
