NOTABLE HORSEWOMAN

Chronicle (Levin), 9 January 1948, Page 2

NOTABLE HORSEWOMAN

\ ' VISIT OF MISS M. BRIGGS TO OTAKI Well-known throughout New Zealand as one of the Dominion's leading horsewomen, Miss Maggie Briggs, who recently returned from a visit to Australia, is at present visiting her half brother in Otaki, Mr. C. Robertson, of Matene Street. Winning her first race when she was only eight years old, Miss Briggs continued from then on one of the most spectacular equestrian careers in the Dominion. As far back as 1905 Miss Briggs was known for her skill as a horsewoman, and rode the well-known pony Czarina, owned by Mr. B.Mitchell. This pony won many prizes, ehiefly due to expert handhng. • . Miss Briggs has a collection of trophies secon'd to none in New Zealand. She rode the champion jumping pony Rawhiti with marked success, and at various shows was always to the forefront. The height cleared by this diminutive pony was nearly five feet, higher than the pony itself. Rawhiti won many prizes. All through the Taranaki district she met with marked success, winning ring event after event with .yarious horses under her charge, and ridden by herself. In many contests Miss Briggs rode bareback. In the Egmont- Wanganui district Miss Briggs was referred to by the chairman of the Hunt Club as the best lady rider in the district and'possibly in New Zealand. At Masterton she gained loud applause for riding without a saddle and without boots. At the "meet" at Opunake, Miss Briggs was the only rider to negotiate the fences. At Stratford Miss Briggs won events with Grey Star and Dougal. At Feilding shows as far back as 1908 Miss Briggs won many events, including steeplechase events. At Waikato and Paeroa, she annexed a number of trophies, both as a bareback ri'der and in the saddle. At the King Country A. ,and P. Associaticn show she won the handsome cup presented for the best lady rider ov«r jumps, and also won the challenge cup. At Morrinsville Miss Briggs also won many trophies. Fortunately, she holds a book of snaps whiclv bear out some of her fine riding feats. In New South Wales. Miss Briggs was a .well-known and popular personage, 'and carried off a number of prizes with Rising Sun. She also held a New Zealand Trotting Association trainer's licence. Back in the Wairarapa and Manawatu, after her many victories in Australia, Miss Briggs annexed further trophies, Inclu'ding challenge cups. Photographs from leading papers in Sydney and New Zealand are held by Miss Briggs. One report, in referring to Miss Briggs as "the champion lady rider," stated that she had won 22 championships and nearly 200 first prizes — a record fcr New Zealand. While in Australia, Miss Briggs received an invitation to ride in the famous millionaire's horse parade of the United States, so she left for Los-Angeles and competed with great success. In 1923 Miss Briggs was awarded the championship of the Sydhey Royal Show, winning six of the seven classes. She held an unbeaten record for ladies' hurdle jumping. Among her achievements was the jumping of a hurdle of 6ft.' llin. and 6ft. 9in. at the Sydney Royal Show. While in Sydney for the Walker and Hall contest there were 38; competitors., an event" won by Miss Briggs. In another of her-suc-cessful events in Sydney there were 27. competitors. One judge remarked that her display was equal'-to anything he had seen in any part of the world. While. in Sydney, Miss Briggs was appointed by the police to organise the ladjes' riding contests. Before proceeding to America, she was termed by leading Australian sportsmen as the "Queen^ of the* Saddle." The Daily Mail, commenting on Miss Briggs' riding, says she had a particularly graceful bearing and splendid hands, while the Sunday Times says she is a "wonderful horsewoman, presenting a striking contrast in style to the Australian riders."