2008 Fiefield Enduro

19th – 27th April 2008
Report by Peter Honeyman
Friday 18th Arrive 3.30 pm and set up camp at our usual location near the Goulburn camp. Friday night tea at the pub. Beautiful meals. Catch up with everyone.
Saturday 19th Collect firewood, work horses, finish camp set up. Pre vet check. Welcome dinner. Time draw done and route issued. A good social get together.
Sunday 20th Rise 6am and breakfast. 7.30am start at 3 minute intervals. Horses 46.7km; ponies 28.9km. We started at 7.36am and finished at 9.36am – 2 hours. We then sat around and relaxed for the rest of the day.

5pm each day was the time for the day’s presentations and draw for starting times for the next day. This proved to be a very entertaining time with Frog Hollow camp leader David Walker and Kath Smith, Mayoress of Fifield Heights, having an ongoing debate each day, keeping us all in stitches laughing so much !
Monday: Horses 49.6km Ponies 32.6km
The same routine. Odd hours men’s showers. Even hours women.
Camp fire cooking each night. Drinks and yarns around the camp fire.
Tuesday: Horses 53.5km Ponies 34km
Tuesday night saw us dress up in our finest gowns and black ties for the formal dinner. Each camp had its own table decorated with things such as silver service, candelabras, and floral arrangements which looked the part. We had a fantastic time and a very nice meal. Then the bonfire was lit and the entertainment started – bush poets and all.
Wednesday: Rest Day. We went into Parkes for the day and replenished some supplies and got some prawns for supper. Others had a visit from the farrier and restocked firewood.
Thursday: Horses 57.3km Ponies 34.4km
Friday 25th : Horses 57.3km Ponies 34.4km
5.40 am Reveille was sounded on the bugle. 6am Anzac Day service conducted by Rob Allport – a moving service with all in attendance. Even a bugler – me.
A rum ration and Anzac biscuits were issued to each person.
Friday night saw everyone down to the pub for tea and Two Up, and drinks of course. A good night was had by all.
Saturday: Horses 58km Ponies 41km
Total Distance for Horses: 319.6km; Ponies 209.4km
Vet check 30 minutes after finish each day. Heart rate must be 60 beats or less.
Saturday night saw us all at the presentation dinner catered for by the Hotal. It was a lovely meal and dessert that left everyone full. The awards and presentations were numerous and well earned.
Barry and Norma Garment announced that they were stepping back and letting Heather and Jason Whythes and others to take over the running of Fifield in the future. Rumour has it that Mr Walker might be organizing a bush poets’ spectacular next year !
Winners: Horse 1st John and Janet Hetherington driving Half Andy 2nd Red Buchanan and Noel Compton driving Wilbur 3rd Robert Baxter and Judy Emerton driving Beau.
Ponies: 1st Tricia and Peter Honeyman driving Oliver 2nd June Malmberg and Tim Cassell driving Thomas
A big thank you to Barry and Norma Garment, Heather, Jason and Elizabeth Whythes, and Max and Kath Smith for another unforgettable event. Can’t wait till next year !