Avenel at Oaklands Horse Trials

Description : Oaklands was once the home of the Melbourne 3DE event prior to it's shift to Werribee Park in the 1980's.

When Avenel horse trials were held in Northern Victoria it was one of the premier events on the calendar.

Several years ago an enthusiastic group began the Avenel at Oaklands horse trials and they have gone from strength to strength with a three star track planned for 2010.

The event boasts a large area for an inviting cross country course with a wide range of fences and terrain, large sand dressage and showjumping arenas and a sumptuous evening meal for those looking for a feed.
Getting there : Avenel is on Somerton rd in Oaklands Junction between Mickleham rd and Oaklands rd. Somerton road can be found off the Hume highway or from Bulla township. The entry to Oaklands Hunt Club has the reception centre Sherwood at the entrance. Melways reference 178 J6

Facilities : Camping at Avenel is very social with the large number that choose to stay over-night. There is room for camping and trucks although the parking of some means not much space for others. There are toilets and a good meal on Saturday night. Good food is available throughout the event thanks to the ponyclub canteen.

Some y ards are available, but be quick. Putting up your own solid yards is also allowed although most of the water taps are down near the yards.

The dressage arenas are on grass and sand with the warm up for the sand arenas a little rough. Most people warm up on the grass area and move across to the sand arena warm up area later.

Tips : Getting a good place to camp with shade means getting there early.

Don't bring a dog or you will be eliminated.

Expect to hear the rumble of Qantas planes flying overhead periodically.

Courses

Intro and Prelim:

Good courses with a lot of logs, brushes, a water fence. It is a very nice and encouraging course with some jumps on the hill. The water allows riders to enter the water before reaching the flags.

Pre-Novice:

One Star:

Two:

Most fences are solid early season fences, well spaced around the course. There is a pair of apexes requiring good control, a narrow arrow head at the top of the steps and two big brushes down the hill as well as a ditch brush filled with water. The water is a large drop in but has a good lead in fence.

Warm up areas: The show jump warm up area is excellent and there are cross country fences to practice over until you are sent up to the starting area.

The area for the dressage warm up is a large paddock with plenty of space but the area for the sand arenas is small, on a slope and busy.

Helping: Avenel are currently looking for members of their committee.