PONY CLUB’S FIRST RALLY GREAT SUCCESS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 68, 23 March 1949, Page 5

PONY CLUB’S FIRST RALLY GREAT SUCCESS

First mounted rally of the newlyformed Pony Club proved a great success on Sunday, and if the keenness shown that day can be maintained, the idea is definitely here to stay. Parties from Whakatane, Ruatoki, Taneatua and 'districts as far away even as Matata met a strong White Pine contingent at White Pine Bush for lunch and a brief lecture by Mr G. D. Fogerty on the aims of the Club. Mr Neil Reid, president, also spoke briefly, and there was a demonstration by a D-class certificate holder showing the approved method of bridling and saddling a horse.

Mr Fogerty pointed out that the idea was to teach standard methods of handling horses and to encourage young people to be able to take part in equestrian persuits with confidence and sound, proved knowledge. There might be some of the older hands who would question certain of the Pony Club methods, but it must be remembered that they were being accepted as standards for show ring judging in New Zealand, and had won world-wide approval as teaching standards. Both Messrs Fogerty and Reid expressed their pleasure at the large attendance, and the fact that the new Club has already a considerable financial membership. Altogether, there were about 60 horses and 100 people present, a good proportion of the attendance being made up of parents with their children.

As the, Club is not yet affiliated, it was not possible to go ahead with formal instruction, but a few of the adult members spent an hour or so after lunch giving the younger children rides on quiet ponies while the more experienced riders played equestrian games.