Pony riders learn road safety

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 609, 24 October 1995, Page 12

Pony riders learn road safety

The season has had a slow start for the Ohakune branch of the Waimarino pony club due to the wet weather but early emphasis has been on riding and road safety, which paid dividends when all candidates passed their test recently. The New Zealand Riding Club Inc launched the new test last year when the Waimarino Adult Riding Club was the first club to use it and now the Ohakune Pony Club are the first pony club to do likewise. It consists of three phases including a multi-choice theory paper and an actual road test. The younger riders did very well and showed a much better awareness of the issues of safety than many adults according to examiner Debbie Hill who has examined candidates from Wellington to Hamilton. Riders were Andrew Gardner, Connie Cooper, Natalie Hodder, Angela Fraser, Shelly Gotlieb and Adrian Fetzer. Karin Kahu and riding club member from Taumarunui also passed the test, riding side saddle. Mrs Robyn Hodder attained the riding club's riding and horse knowledge Stage 1. The Waimarino Pony Club's annual dressage day is on Saturday 28 November and gamblers cross country and show jumping is on the Sunday and members are looking forward to these days. The events are open to all members

and interested riders may contact Mrs E Cooper, 3858466. The Sunday' s event is also a good spectator day and visitors are welcome, and jump helpers are always needed. The next branch rally is on 11 November at Warren's farm and any prospective members are welcome. Agames day follows on Saturday 1 8th, then a combined rally with the Raetihi branch on the Sunday, both at the Waimarino A&P showgrounds, Raetihi. A full programme is planned for the season with a highlight likely to be the Golden Games, celebrating 50 years of pony club in New Zealand. The venues are Matoura (South Island), Helensville and Waiouru. Teams entered are 25, 65 and 85 respectively. The Waiouru venue will involve every pony club member and parent from the King Country area and from further afield and should prove a fantastic spectacle with 400 horses and up to double the number of people.