BIG PONY CLUB GYMKHANA NOW BEING PLANNED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 74, 9 December 1949, Page 5

BIG PONY CLUB GYMKHANA NOW BEING PLANNED

Final plans for the Whakatane District Pony Club’s first big gymkhana, to be held on the Whakatane Domain on January 14 next were made at a meeting of the district executive on Wednesday night. All branches weye presented. Considerable discussion took place on the tentative programme tabled by the sub-committee appointed for the purpose, and the programme finally adopted will include riding classes on the flat and over hurdles for bona-fide Pony Club members in four age groups—--10 and under, 11 to 14, 15 to 17, 18 to 21. There will also be flat N *and hurdle competitions for ponies and hacks in the exclusive and continuous care of Pany Club members, as well as the “spick an,d span” and teams competitions. Should time permit, bending and relay races for branch teams will be added to the events, first of which is timed to start at 10 a.m. Points to be allocated will be 6 for a win, 4 for second place, 2, for third and 1 for fourth, teams to count the same as individuals, j. Altogether, and not including the possible additions, there will be at least 14 events, and so far nine trophies have been offered as prizes. In addition, Mr F. Mahy has presented the Club with a £lO/10/- cup, to be known as the Ohope Challenge Cup for inter-Club competition for the best eared for pony and gear. Deep appreciation of the donors’ generosity was expressed. s Final details concerning advertising,, erection of hurdles, cleaning up after the gymkhana and arranging paddocking for horses which have to stay at Whakatane overnight will be handled by subcommittees, which were appointed on Wednesday night, as also were the following gymkhana officials:— Chief steward, Mr H. Hill; stewards, Messrs J. Haslam (Te Teko), G. Howard (White Pine Bush), T. Heard (Thornton-Matata), G. Yeoman (Taneatua) and McCormick (Whakatane). It was agreed that Mr L. Swarbrick be invited to get judges from Clubs outside this district, and that Miss Heather Swarbrick,' holder of the highest possible Pony Club certifiates, be asked to visit Whakatane for the gymkhana and give a demonstration.

Show Classes The question of Pony Club classes at the A. and P. Show was discussed at some length, and it was finally agreed that two riding events, on the flat, would be all that could reasonably be asked 'for this year. With the A. and P. Society’s approval those classes will be for riders up to 12, and from 13 to 17. It was pointed out and accepted by the meeting that the older riders are already adequately catered for in the Show’s schedule. « Eally Flans

With the gymkhana in view, it was agreed that a stepping-up in the tempo of ; instruction was needed, and with a viqw to giving young members more riding practice as well as. stirring up more 1 enthusiasm, tentative plans were made for a combined branch rally at Awakeri on December 18 at 10.30 a.m. A communication was received from the Ohope Light Horse Club, asking that the Pony Club advise it of any fixtures so that rallies of the two Clubs need not clash. The' secretary and the District Commissioner were delegated to pass on the necessary information, and the Light Horse Club is to be thanked for its courtesy.