Pony riders head for the hills

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 685, 6 May 1997, Page 16

Pony riders head for the hills

Avery happy camp in fine weather was enjoyed by Ohakune Pony Club members at Tawanui Station from 11-15 April. A rally was held on the Saturday and some instruction and trekking followed on Sunday and Monday and on Tuesday after packing up they rode to the top of the ridge dividing the property and Otiranui. There, riders split with half continuing down and later into Ohakune while the others returned to base. A fine lunch was brought out to everyone before the final ride into town and home. Horse management sessions were held each day as well as riding and members were shown how to estimate the weight of their ponies using three different methods, how to take respiration and to use a stethoscope for pulse rate. One pony was found to have an irregular heart beat, later confirmed by the owner, giving riders a chance to hear something a little out of the ordinary. Camp members included two guests from the Waikato

Equestrian Centre and a Taumarunui Pony Club member who were all loaned ponies by the Morris family for Tawanui Station. Rose Morris was camp cook, ably assisted by Rose Taylor, supplying copious quantities of food including fresh-baked rolls encouraging all to each toomuch! Parents and other Ohakune Pony Club supporters dropped in for occasional meals, helped instruct at the rally on Saturday and joined in the trekking. Thanks were extended to all helpers, the members for making the guests so welcome, and property owners over whose land the club rode, and the guides. At camp were : Rose Morri s, Rose T ay lor, Evely n Cooper, Heather Cooper, Joy Pointon and Dawn Workman with riders Louise Jenkins and Alex Wilson (Hamilton), Katie Wright (Taumarunui), Cameron and Virginia Morris, Angela Fraser, Amy Taylor,. Natalie Hodder, Natasha Nicholls, Tony Lockyer, Anna Pointon and Connie Cooper.