Over the past week and a half that was, I was lucky enough to experience Willinga Park. I was up there 6 days helping the Organisers behind the scenes, as well doing my job, a.k.a. photography for a few clients. The venue itself is an AMAZING abundance of natural wildlife, Australian Flora and sculptures.
The Willinga Park venue is located Down the Coast at Bawley Point, lovely semi-rural location, here in NSW. Driving down to Bawley Point you are hit with the devastation of how bad the fires were at the beginning of the year. There were dead trees for miles on end, but also a sense of nature’s resistance, and change a new birth for trees coming back to life in a different UNIQUE way .
Terry Snow has made a beautiful facility with more being constructed for more equine disciplines to be able to compete in future events. What comes with beauty, also comes with hard work; be prepared for lots of walking, biking or hiking. Bring a mode of transport, whether that be a bike, scooter etc. You will need it! From the stables and arena it’s 1km. Day 4 saw me crash and burn, and being an para equestrian rider, that’s not particularly good. I was very thankful though that there was the lovely Jen Carrol from Training Performance, that works on both horses and humans to tape my foot up, as I’d massively strained it. But nothing like a good cardio work out each day!
Where to stay: Well for starters you can stay at Willinga in one of their beautiful cabins with spectacular views. You can get some nice Air BnB properties, or you can stay at the Racecourse Cabins Beach Resort, which is where I stayed over 6 days. Situated a 2 minute walk, on a beach, and had the amenities you needed to live in a normal house. If you can live on not being on your phone 24/7 due to the limited reception in the area, you shall be right.
Dressage kicked off with a hit with some amazing combinations sand dancing around the arena. I myself captured a few clients that asked for photos. Overall everyone should be proud of their efforts, and a big shout out goes to all the stewards and organisers that put all their time and effort into running Willinga Park Events.
Everyone definitely needs to go visit Willinga Park at some point in there lives!
Now please enjoy some photos.
Feature Image and Article Images courtesy of A & H Photography ©
– Amylie May Hines