Brooker Swan River Horse Trials 2009 an outstanding success

Once again the event held on the stunning Brookleigh Equestrian Estate has been heralded as an outstanding success, both from competitors, spectators and sponsors.

The expanded trade stand and food and drinks area was popular with everyone who attended, providing goods and services for spectators and competitors alike.

On Saturday the Lexus Ladies Lunch and fashion parade by Stash Boutique brought a touch of 'class' to the event and a wonderful afternoon was had by all who attended. Models for the parade were mostly drawn from Stewarts Restaurant staff and friends which gave a very personal atmosphere to the event.

Sunday's VIPs were able to view the cross country phase at the water jump before they moved to the marquee for a sumptuous lunch catered by Stewarts Restaurant. The deciding phase of the event, the showjumping, was held in the indoor arena and guests and sponsors had close accesss to watch this closely contested section.

The eventual winner of the highest class, the CIC 3*** was the popular Parkiarrup Illicit Liaison, owned by Olga Reveler of Brookleigh Estate, with olympic silver medalist Sonja Johnson riding.

For full results please to the results page

Mrs Brigid Woss and Wendy and John MacCleod of Marri Park have both donated money to enable us to run a CICJ* class again this year. We thank them sincerely for supporting our riders of the future.

Brookleigh News - there are plenty of events and clinics in the coming months at Brookleigh. http://www.brookleigh.com.au/clinics-workshops.html

Arnica Montana assists in Aussie success
Kate Diamantopoulo, Arnica Montana recalls Sonja Johnson contacting her just before leaving for Hong Kong and the Beijing Olympics in 2008. Jag  (Ringwould Jaguar) had developed a  hoof abscess  which was not responding fast enough to  orthodox treatment.

Sonja tells us "My vet flew to Melbourne twice and opened up the abscess. Meanwhile I was busy using arnica and anything else Kate could recommend to speed up recovery.” And the rest as they say is history - Sonja and Jag went on to compete and be an active part of the silver medal winning Australian team.

Kate owns and runs the business Arnica Montana, named after a herb, which is known for its mind and body healing properties. Arnica Montana has been harvested for centuries in Europe and North America. The product range  includes creams, balms, soaks and soaps and is used  successfully on both  humans and animals.

Preparations are well under way the for the 2009 event with many of our sponsors re-confirming their committment for this year - Brookleigh, Stewart's, Lexus of Perth, Snap Printing Midland, Europa Saddlery, The Echo, Combined Horse Transport, Watershed Wines and The City of Swan.

We would like to welcome Mitavite, Port Bouvard, Angel Flowers, Arnica Montana and Brendan Leahy Real Estate on board as sponsors for 2009.

We will bring you any news as we have it and feel free to send Sam samseymoureyles@bigpond.com any new items that you would like considered for inclusion.