NOTED EQUESTRIENNE

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20509, 27 May 1938, Page 5

NOTED EQUESTRIENNE

MISS VERA MCMILLAN VISIT TO HAMILTON “I have had a marvellous time since I arrived in New Zealand,” said the well-known rider, Miss Vera McMillan, formerly of Tauranga, who is on her first visit to New Zealand since her departure for Australia twelve years ago, in conversation with a Wa"ikato Times representative this morning. Miss McMillan has competed with conspicuous success in Australian shows, including the Sydney Royal Show. An Australian paper describes her as the most courageous and enterprising woman rider in Australia. Miss McMillan was the first woman to win the water jump at the Sydney Royal Show, where in 1935 on her own gelding, Flying Scout, she cleared 28ft Pin. This was eclipsed at the Liverpool Show, however, where Flying Scout’s record, 32ft 9in, was made, the best jump recorded in Australia since 1915. “Riding at New Zealand -shows and at the Sydney Royal Show are two very different propositions," said Miss McMillan. “The pairs jumping is a dangerous event unless horses and riders are in unison, and the latter have perfect control.” Miss McMillan was successful with another rider in the ladies’ pairs over the big fences at this year’s Royal event, riding the horses, Trooper and Loyalty. This noted equestrienne has been riding horses since she was four and hunters since the age of nine. Miss McMillan recalled her experience when she had ridden to the Cambridge hunts bareback. To-day she will hunt with the Cambridge pack again, on a horse lent her by the master, Mr Wynn Brown.

After a short stay in Hamilton Miss McMillan will leave for Katikati. She will sail from Auckland by the Awatea on June 10 on her return to Australia.