ONE-DAY EVENT FOR HUNTERS

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27425, 11 August 1954, Page 7

ONE-DAY EVENT FOR HUNTERS

Stiff Cross-Country Test '

COURSE AT “OTAHUNA” A one-day event for hunters will be held tomorrow at “Otahuna,” Tai Tapu, the home of Sir R. Heaton Rhodes, over a two-mile course in a valley near the homestead.

The programme will comprise three (>arts —a roads and tracks phase, a cross-country phase, and show jumping under Olympic rules. It will be conducted on similar lines to the well-knowri three-day event held annually at Badminton, England. This attracts crowds of about 60,000, and is patronised regularly by the Queen and other members of the Royal Family. The roads and tracks phase will start at 11 a.m- The cross-country phase, the most spectacular part for the public, will be held about 15 minutes later. The two-mile course for the crosscountry has 18 jumps, which will provide an exacting test for horses and riders. The obstacles include three double jumps, wire jumps, a hurdle and water splash, post and rails jumps through plantations, a big bluegum log. gorse fences, and a gate. At one stage of the journey, horse and rider will be required tb drop down into a deep drain and jump a rail at the bottom of the ditch, and then climb out again. The last and most difficult obstacle is a tight double oyer a style into some trees and out into a narrow lane. Starters will be sent away at intervals of four minutes. The 18 jumps across country must be taken at a fast pace. This means that horse and rider will be running against time as well as being penalised for faults. Bonus marks will be allotted for completing the course in less than the time allowed. About seven jumps on the crosscountry course will be visible from, the rise at the side of the valley, but the performances of each horse at every obstacle will be reported by field telephone operators, posted at vantage points, to a commentator who will announce proceedings to the spectators. The Olympic show jumping will be held a central position.