The Wallaby Hill Calendar.

By Equestrian Life

All images © Sit Tight Radio

If you’d like to hang a 2020 Wallaby Hill calendar signed by many of Australia’s equestrian greats in your stables, now is the time to act!
Eventing commentating app Sit Tight Radio has created this wonderful initiative to raise funds for the current bushfire crisis. As founder Fiona Hughes explains, “I was scrolling through social media and saw how many millions Celeste Barber has raised through her fundraiser, and I thought, Sit Tight Radio could do something like that!”

“Each year I buy about 10 of the Wallaby Hill calendars as they make such great Christmas presents, and I had a spare. So I started Facebook messaging riders that I thought could sign it so we could auction it for charity – some, like Heath, I had to go “old school” and text because he doesn’t do social media – and it all went from there!” Fiona explains.

Here’s the link to get bidding: www.nominate.com.au/auction/default.aspx?AuctionID=52

For Fiona, whose name is synonymous with the Australian eventing scene as a competitor, coach and commentator, the next step was organising a series of road trips to visit and obtain signatures from her network of friends, who also happen to be the “who’s who” of the Australian equestrian scene.

“On Monday I visited Stuart Tinney and Jade Findlay to get their signatures, then on Tuesday I did the northern run,” Fiona explains. This involved leaving her Richmond home at 7am after feeding her horses and various Jack Russells, and returning some 12 hours and 465km later with the first round of signatures inscribed on the calendar.

Hazel Shannon, Heath Ryan and Sharon Jarvis.

“It was awesome to catch up with everyone at their properties. At Heath’s I got to meet Sharon Jarvis’s new horse, wow he’s a superstar, and I also visited Rachael Lee, Vicki Roycroft, Colleen Brook, George Sanna, Tom McDermott, Jamie and Jamie (Kermond), Christine Bates, Judy and Daniella Dierks, Riley Alexander, Tallara and Dave Cameron, and got in at about 7:30pm after a nice bite to eat with Katie Taliana,” said Fiona.

Tom McDermott and his father Greg.

William and Christine Bates.

Sue Hearn.

Riley Alexander, Berrilee.

On Wednesday it was time to head south, into parts of New South Wales that continue to face immediate threat from fires. As Fiona explained, riders such as Nicky and Sam Lyle are very close to active fires that may flare again in the coming days, while the team at Shane and Niki Rose’s Bimbadeen Park have had fires reaching their back fence. Brett and Melinda Parbery have evacuated all of their horses, due to the threat of fire to their Penrose property. The day was a salient reminder that the bushfire crisis is far from over, and of the importance of continued fundraising efforts such as this.

The Bimbadeen team including Rachel Watts, Niki Rose, Rebel Morrow and Jessica Rae.

Nicky and Sam Lyle, Southern Highlands.

Brett Parbery, Penrose.

Wednesday’s southern run was another big day with 420km covered and many more signatures obtained! Fiona has now handed the baton to Sit Tight Radio co-commentator Lindsey Constable taking the well-travelled calendar on a Victorian run! Charlotte Pederson, Maree Tomkinson, David Shoobridge and Russell Johnstone are on the visitation list, adding their signatures and words of wisdom the to the star-studded line up.

Bidding is now open on Nominate, for a chance to secure this unique calendar that doubles as an iconic piece of Aussie sporting memorabilia.

Truly an amazing group of Aussie stars!

The funds raised will be split 50/50 and between RFS NSW and Victorian CFA.

In addition, there are extra prizes should bids reach certain levels. These prizes have been donated by Alex Townsend of Wallaby Hill.

$1,200 winning bid: Signed calendar, plus 1 x free use of the gallop track at Wallaby Hill, valued at $40. An amazing experience!

$1,500 winning bid: Signed calendar, plus 1 x free use of the gallop track at Wallaby Hill, and one lesson with your choice of any of the supporting equestrians.

$1,750 winning bid: Signed calendar, plus 1 x free use of the gallop track at Wallaby Hill, one lesson with your choice of any of the supporting equestrians, and a fabulous picnic at the Wallaby Hill Extravaganza, on Sunday 9th February, valued at $150 for 2 people.

Here’s the link to get bidding: www.nominate.com.au/auction/default.aspx?AuctionID=52

Sit Tight Radio gives you access to quality eventing commentary no matter whether you are a spectator on course, a competitor finding out where the bogey fence is or a groom slaving away in the stables. You could be an owner wanting to know how your horse is going, or maybe you want to be part of the action but you are stuck at home with the kids! Perhaps, you are listening to the PA but just want more!

Find out how to download the app here: www.sittightradio.com.au

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