Report from Pony Club District Commissioner

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 2, Issue 4, 26 June 1984, Page 6

Report from Pony Club District Commissioner

Both the Ohakune and Waiouru branches have had a busy season although Waiouru numbers have fallen dramatically this year and they have experienced problems with finding enough club officials and instructors. Instruction was given on four different nights of the week to allow the sharing of the club's ponies, but no children sat their 'D' or *C certificates as the instructors did not feel anyone was ready to do so. The branch hosted a club Games Day in April which was well attended by both branches with four rings and four ability groups operating, a busy and successful day was had by all. As District Commissioner I visited them one evening, attended one meeting and saw many of their members riding at the Games Day, the Dressage Day and the Gymkhana. The Waiouru branch held an overnight camp at Karioi combining the Karioi Sports Day and the Waimarino Dressage Day, with both branches participating in an, evening barbecue.

The Ohakune branch held a three-day camp for all members at the Ohutu Grazing Co over Waitangi Weekend and six senior members and two adults rode on a four-day trek over spectacular and rugged sheep stations at the end of January in perfect weather. Eight Ohakune branch outdoor rallies were held with four cancelled due to bad weather when indoor sessions were held instead. All competition days were held and Ohakune hosted the Waimarino Gymkhana and the Ohakune Adult Gymkhana at Rangataua, the Dressage Day at Karioi and an Ohakune Combined Training Day and an O.D.E. at Roke's farm in p^cember. The organisers were very pleased to welcome Pony Club members from other branches to some of these events. Ohakune also hosted the third and final Area T rials at Roke's farm where the Novice Course proved popular with both children and adults participating. A new competition this year was the King Country Area Games Day for teams of four held at Rangataua which was very popular and successful with the Ohakune branch members, twenty of whom took part. Hopefully next year a team or two from other branches will take part as well. Various members and instructors travelled to Kaitieke, Retaruke, Owhango, Taumarunui, Turangi, Taupo, Tokoroa and Taihape for various events but lack of transporL is the continuing problem allowing only a few members to gain this wider experience.

Branch member participation was good at the working parties especially on the Cross Country Course at Roke's farm and I would like to thank them for their help and the Roke family for their generous use of their property for this fine course. Raetihi branch has been brought out of recess and will operate next season. It is to be hoped it will not be too big a drain on Ohakune membership and resources while offering a more realistic Pony Club opportunity to Raetihi youngsters. While we welcome the Raetihi branch with open arms and wish them every

success we sadly farewell Waiouru who withdrew from the New Zealand Pony Club Association at the recent Annual General Meeting and have become a Saddle Club. Lastly I would like to thank all those people who helped in any way to make the season a good one for the children. It is the tremendous help and the community spirit of so many unnamed people that enables the Pony Club to function. I would also like to assure other youngsters that Pony Club is open to them whether they own a pony or not and to contact us if they are interested.

Evelyn

Cooper