Pony Club News

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 25, 17 November 1987, Page 14

Pony Club News

RAETIHI Members of Raetihi Pony Club have been busy with activities most weekends. On Monday 26 October, Heather Montgomery o f Ohakune and Pauline Mbwat of Raetihi took a large group of riders for an introduction to the new class of Showhunters. Parents were given the task of constructing a course to the specifications specially set out for this class, which was a most interesting experience and, after concentrated flat work instruction in the morning, the riders got their first taste of jumping a course without numbers and without being able to walk the course to familiarise themselves. On Saturday 31 October, a combined rally was held at Roke's, hosted by Ohakune Pony Glub. Groups concentrated on riding the cross country course, with

emphasis on pacing themselves and their ponies, keeping in mind that in a one day event they would still have the showjumping phase to ride. It proved to be a most beneficial day for all concerned. Raetihi Pony Club have continued with rallies at their showground headquarters and with the Waimarino one day event to be held at Roke's property on Saturday 21 November, all riders are working hard to prepare their ponies. December will also be a full month of activities with the Open Show Hunter Competition Day on Saturday 19 and the Open Dressage Day on Sunday 20. OHAKUNE The Ohakune Pony Club season has had a great early start with good weather and a lot of enthusiastic riders. Raetihi Branch has a good membership but

numbers in Ohakune are falling. Club secretary Glenis Betty and family leave in December for Hamilton. The club will be sorry to see her go. Melanie is an enthusiastic rider and her departure will see numbers fall further. However, small numbers are a bonus to the dedicated rider who gets more individual instruction. On Sunday 15 November there is an open day event at Ongarue. A full weekend of activities follows at Roke's Otiranui property on 21 and 22 November. Saturday is the Waimarino open day event and on Sunday the Ohakune Tetrathlon will be held. It was postponed from last March due to bad weather. This is a new venture and will be full of interest with the results of the cross country, running and riding phases being added to the member's swimming and shooting scores. Support-

ers and helpers are always required for both events so people interested are asked to come along and support the local riders in team competition with visitors from Kaitieke, Taumarunui, Ongarue and Taihape - and increase your suntan at the same time! The Taumarunui branch of the Pony Club held three combined training days over the last two months ending on Sunday 8 November. Six Waimarino riders travelled through to Taumarunui regularly and the three days' points were accumulated with prizes going to the following local riders: Junior 1st Melanie Betty, 3rd Natasha Richards. Intermediate 2nd Rodney McCoubrie. Senior 2nd Tama Taylor. Congratulations are extended to all riders and to Caroline Isles of Taumarunui for a well organised and run event. A bonus was t^iat the riders found that dressage can be fun instead of a dreaded necessity as part of a one day event. A number of working bees will be organised to upgrade the Cross Country course at Roke's over the next few months and parents are urged to give their support. Most mothers do but some is very heavy work, so fathers are needed to lend a hand. The children will benefit from the work done.

Evelyn

Cooper