2007 Munro Cup Report - By Dot Wilcoxson

Juniors reigned supreme at the Munro Cup hosted by Bungendore Carriage Driving Club at Witwood. We are very fortunate to have such hardworking junior members in our club who are willing helpers and up-and-coming drivers.

Edan Kelly designed the obstacles, Madison Scott traveled all the way from Sydney to compete, Wendy Lewis delivered Kellie and Jack Whillock and Kellie's friend Kahla Reidy to the event to help steward and they certainly worked hard during the day. While driving is the primary reason all these youngsters have joined the BCDC, they have shown that they understand the work which goes into running an event and contribute accordingly. We encourage and appreciate the good sportsmanship they display.

It has been quite some time since we have had 20 entries in the Munro Cup and six clubs were represented at the fun activity – Riverina, Southern Highlands, Reedy Creek, Ellmore, Canberra and of course Bungendore.

John Munro who made a short visit, was delighted with the response we had. John made a short visit to the event to catch up with competitors and the course. He had to return to Goulburn to look after Margaret who is recovering from a hip operation. We hope you continue to improve Margaret. John also donated the cute rosettes for the event. Thank you John.

And the winner? A junior driver was the winner of the spectacular Munro Cup. Ben Rosetta of the Riverina Club drove exceptionally well although Tony James (SHCC) won the marathon. Sadly Tony knocked a cone and Ben drove a double clear. Only 1.44 points separated the final result. Maybe next time Tony.

It was interesting to watch some of the drivers who had attended one of Marie Kahrle's clinics. Warren Ricketts (Ellmore) was observed driving smoothly and calmly through the obstacles and his pony was in a good frame. Fresh from a Saturday lesson with Sheryl Leibowitz, John Moyes (Reedy Creek) was also driving his inexperienced horse smoothly and kindly. Warren and John didn't win their class but they showed how it could be done – no reefing and pulling. Anne Robertson (Canberra) driving her lovely pony Remus, was very complimentary of the way fellow pony class competitor, Madison Scott's (BCDC) drove her pony Kate. Edan Kelly (BCDC) promised to look after his grandfather Ray Pilley on the backstep when he drove little Prince in the competition. The three of them returned safe and sound and with smiles on their faces.

Lynne Anstee has finally beaten Merv Wood in the cones! And she won 'the smartest on parade' rosette! Lynne, groom Jane and pony April looked fantastic in black and white.
First time competitor, Pat Richardson (Reedy Creek) had a great time and she has well and truly been bitten by the combined driving bug.

Edan's obstacles made drivers think a bit. He designed them on the blank drawings of the MOs and his grandfather Terry and I set them up at the venue. We only had to change one or two gates and all the drivers agreed that Edan had done a terrific job. An excellent effort for a young driver who has already demonstrated his willingness 'to have a go'.

The cones course was designed by Trevor Leibowitz and built by Gordon Burton and Terry Kelly. When Trevor arrived he only had to tweak a couple of the cones and we had one of his great courses to drive. It was a long course – 750 metres – with some open stretches where drivers could let their horses out. Great fun!

We strongly recommend the use of David Armstrong's CDSS (combined driving scoring system) although I think most NSW events use it. Doug Willcoxson, assisted by Nick and Jacob Turner, had the scoring done in very good time with result sheets for all competitors.

Some drivers arrived on Saturday to take advantage of a lesson with Sheryl Leibowitz and others were keen to have a go at the bridge before the event. In the interest of safety and as a learning exercise, the club executive agreed to permit this unusual request. What fun they had! However the water was a bit deeper than they thought and I was surprised when I drove through the water during the competition. Fortunately for Mima Ware her ponies had longer legs than mine and they whizzed through. I had been warned by Lorraine Wharton that it was quite deep for the boys – Lorraine had a lesson with Sheryl and my ponies on Friday. Everyone who drove through the water and over the bridge enjoyed the experience.

The success of the weekend and the Munro Cup was the result of a great team effort by all members of the Bungendore Carriage Driving Club and their friends, whether they competed, set up the course, stewarded or packed everything away. Another friendly and fun BCDC event.