Fruitful trip to Oamaru horse trials

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 634, 30 April 1996, Page 16

Fruitful trip to Oamaru horse trials

Three weary King Country Pony Club riders, along with their ponies, mums and supporters recently returned home from the New Zealand Pony Club Horse Trial Championships at Oamaru. For Hone Brausch riding Saka Sun, Hannah Lord on Cream Cracker and Nicola Smith on Pal-O-Mine it was their first championships and for some their first trip to the 'Mainland'. The party of 12 left Waiouru at 4am for a most perfect ferry crossing, nights were spent at Blenheim and Waimate before arriving at Oamaru, three days before the competition started. With great weather the most was made of the great southern hospitality and the riders were able to work with team trainer NZPCA National Instructor Jeanette Garrett. Nicola and Hone both ended the dressage phase on the same score, both producing some good work. Hannah had to contend with her pony spooking at an imaginary jump at the entrance of the arena. At the end of their test the contingent could only smile! ! (along with the judges), the in-between movements were well executed and Hannah and Biscuit scored extremely well. The Teams Dressage Trophy was won by Taranaki, 2nd Franklin/Thames Valley, 3rd Auckland, 4th Wairapa/ Wellington. Saturday dawned misty and damp and later turned quite warm. Nicola was the team trail blazer and produced a good clear round taking the more demanding direct options in her stride. Hone unfortunately had problems and had to walk home, his pony not interested in his role at all. Hannah was last to ride for the King Country and, although having two problems, completed what turned out to be a demanding thinking but jumpable course. Show jumping was next, the third phase where Hannah was first to ride the course and incurred some problems, while Nicola and Pal completed with one rail down to incur only a total of 44.67 penalties over the three phases. The Teams Challenge cup was won by Taranaki (for the 3rd consecutive year), 2nd Auckland, 3rd Waikato, 4th Northland. Because King Country were only able to field a team of three it meant they were not competitive for the Teams Dressage Trophy where all six scores count or the Teams Championship Challenge Cup where the best four scores count. Because of this King Country was congratulated by many for having made the effort and supporting the three riders as individuals. This did not distract from the task at hand for the three, who represented the King Country well, gaining valuable experience which all help them with their future equestrian endeavours. Nicola, Hone and Hannah thank their supporters and everyone who helped in. any way. to make their trip possible.