Local memhers attend N.Z. Pony Clubs Conference

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 4, 28 June 1983, Page 16

Local memhers attend N.Z. Pony Clubs Conference

Mesdames Cooper, Henderson and Morris, members of the Ohakune Pony Club Branch, attended the New Zealand Pony Clubs Conference in Hastings over the weekend of June 18th and 19th. On Saturday afternoon members were treated to three demonstration workshops conducted by the six National Instructors covering the subjects of feeding, conformation, condition and fitness in relation to horses and ponies. This was followed by a lecture by Mr Shaun Flynn, a professional cross country course designer and builder, from'Canada who is in N.Z. for 6 months on a working holiday. He later invited members to walk part of the course on which he was currently working, in the Tomoana Showgrounds, demonstrating course and jump design. In the evening members were shown the Accident Compensation Commission and Por y Clubs' combined audiovisual, 'Pony Tales' dealing with all aspects of safety in connection with riding and then Mr Ross McFarlane of the Christchurch Teachers College gave a very interesting informative and humorous

talk on 'communicating with Youth in the Eighties'. On Sunday the group got down to the more serious business of reports, election of officers and remits. Mrs Newman, daughter of Mrs Dorothy Campbell, the founder of Pony Club in New Zealand, gave an interesting "talk and a new book soon to be published 'Pony Breeds of N.Z.', was introduced to us. The weekend was rounded off by a dinner and dance to which about half of the conference delegates attended. A full report will be presented at the local A.G.M. onJune 29th at Mrs Cooper' s and this will be followed by a Pot Luck Dinner and film evening at Mangawhero Lodge on July 2nd, to round off the season.