FOR THE SICK AND WOUNDED

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23003, 24 April 1940, Page 5

FOR THE SICK AND WOUNDED

GYMKHANA TO BE HELD ON SATURDAY The thousands of city people who love to see ponies in action will undoubtedly be attracted by the interesting programme arranged for the Red Cross gymkhana to be held on the Show Grounds at Addington on Saturday. The proceeds of this all-day function will be devoted to the Sick and Wounded Fund, a cause which, in itself, merits the keenest Support. The Riccarton sub-centre of the Red Cross Society has organised the gymkhana, which wilU be one of the. biggest days of this sort arranged .since the war began. Starting at 11.30 am. the programme will include a great number of those interesting pony events that have made the city and country shows such a success. Pony riding and horse riding are growing in popularity in Canterbury and the gymkhana on Saturday is expected to bring together one of the best collections of ponies the city has yet seen. The-committee organising the gymkhana has decided to run two rings on the show grounds oval —one for children under 14. and another for those over that age. Entries have been received from all the major country and city riding centres. It is intended to have a grand parade of competitors at 2 p.m., in which scores of ponies will take part. Afternoon tea and ice creams, soft drinks and other good things for children and adults will be provided at stalls run by V.A.D.’s. Judges of the competitive sections will be; Mr Gilbert Grigg (senior ring) and Major G. F. Hutton (junior ring). In addition to the pony events, the committee has organised a number of guessing competitions in which the public will be able to take part. The programme events include the following:—Children under 14: Bending race (two divisions); chocolate race; potato spearing; sack race; ball

and bucket race; musical chairs in pairs: night alarm; jumping two hurdles; maiden riding event; rescue : race in pairs; pony' trot. Senior ring: Bending race; ball and bucket; maiden riding competition; -potato spearing; hitting the polo ball; egg and : -plat*, race; cigarette -.-. race; rescue ,-race: novelty saddling: race; ribbon jump in pairs; night alarm: musical chairs in pairs. -,.,■- As an indication of the interesting events on the programme, the night alarm competition is as follows: The competitors lie on sacks on the ground. At alarm, they jump up. put on coats, collect saddles, run to pony, saddle, ride to a given point, dismount, collect a - ration sack, ride to another point, dismount, collect pony's ration, and ride back to the winning post.. The _ programme has-been ~ ised to give a. inost interesting day's entertainment. The Christchurch Municipal Band will provide music.in:the afternoon.