An event ''more religious than Christmas'' for Deana Irvine,
of High Country Horses, was held in scorching temperatures
amid thousands of spectators on Saturday.
The 51st Glenorchy Races was one to remember - children were
kept cool in a makeshift pool on the back of a truck, many
brought their own couches to the event and strawberries and
cream were the meal of choice for many.
Ms Irvine said High Country Horses entered 10 to 20 riders -
staff and former staff - every year and the business was
closed for the day.
''We would be shunned if we didn't show up.''
This year 15 women, all wearing matching black shirts
emblazoned with ''Ride it like you stole it'' on the back
competed under the High Country Horses name.
The races were a social staple of the Glenorchy calendar and
allowed the village to both show off its talent and to
fundraise.
Ms Irvine said it was just ''one of the things we can do to
bring in some revenue''.
Many of the company's horses were ex-racers or rescue horses
which did not quite make the cut, and they enjoyed the
challenge, she said.
Naomi Taylor, of High Country Horses, won the trotting cup on
Odin. She won the race three years ago on the same horse.
Ms Taylor had entered the races every year for the past six
years and said on Saturday there were ''a lot of very good
people to beat''.
In total there were 10 races, including the double banking,
the specialty of everyone's favourite, Clydesdale Drum Major.
Drum, as he is affectionately known, prefers to show off his
character rather than his sprint.
''You are not going to win on him,'' Olivia Matthews of Dart
Stables said.
''It's a major highlight of his year.''
The 14-year-old purebred Clydesdale is used as a trekking
horse at Dart Stables and is especially good with novices, Ms
Matthews said.
Glenorchy Community Association president Pete Reid said more
than $20,000 was raised from the races, though running costs
would need to come out of this.
The money was not yet earmarked for anything in particular
and community associations could apply for funding throughout
the year.
Results
Walk Trot and Gallop: Joe McStay on Jack; Saddling Race:
Nicole Wallace on Katie; Trotting Race: Naomi Taylor on Odin;
Relay Race: Precipice Team - Callan Grimmer on Sam, Joe
McStay on Burgler, Joe Rosieur on Sammy; Ladies Gallop: Casey
Irvine on Hemi; Double Banking: Grace Percy and Andrew Green
on Sienna; Galloping Cup: Bruce Sarginson on Porshe;
Stockmans Race: Grace Percy on Red; Quarter Mile Sprint:
Grace Percy on Sienna; Local Gallop: Grace Percy on Spider;
Aggregate: Grace Percy.
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