INTEREST BUILDS IN LIGHT HORSE GYMKHANA

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 23, 19 April 1950, Page 5

INTEREST BUILDS IN LIGHT HORSE GYMKHANA

Last important gymkhana of the season, and a likely testing place for prospective hunters, the Light Hoi’se Club’s Gymkhana, scheduled for Saturday at the A. and P. Showground, is creating keenest interest amongst horsemen throughout the district. For some time now schooling of horses has been going on in many a secluded paddock, and keeneyed observers of such things are predicting that the big events are going to be hard to win. That probably applies particularly to the Nixon Cup, one of tha main trophies of the day, a parting gift to the Club by its late secretary and one of its early organisers, Mr Basil Nixon, now of Te Awamutu. This handsome trophj) for the members’ maideif jump is being sought by some horses of high class, a number of which l\ave been “knocking at the door” for big show money for some time. With the Pony Club season virtually over, there will no doubt be a lot of young hopefuls with their ponies seeking a final chance to win some honours, and, with that in mind, the Club has designed a programme rich in opportunities for children. It was also decided, at the last meeting, that all these events be run in age groups, but that, to prevent any outstanding big youngsters from scooping the kiddies’ pool, no junior competing in adult events would be allowed to compete in children’s classes also.

Recognising that not all competitors will be keen on jumping, and that they might not all have jumping horses, the committee has included a number of flat events, amongst them the ever-popular bending and stockwhip and bottle competitions. Already the secretary, Mr Vincent Bell, has been besieged with inquiries from prospective entrants, and he was so satisfied he was going to be overwhelmed on Saturday that he has asked the committe'e to allocate him assistance for the day, which has been done. Right now the final details of organisation are receiving the careful attention of a thoroughly competent sub-committee, and the Club confidently anticipates that the Gymkhana will prove a memorable finale to its first season.