HORSE TALK

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30965, 22 January 1966, Page 17

HORSE TALK

SOUTH ISLAND CIRCUIT This year’s South Island show jumping circuit should be a memorable one. Not only will it feature the Horse of the Year show at Waimate but will be marked by a tour of five junipers from Australia, an official North Island team of six, and three riders, and a manager from Japan. The Japanese riders will be looking for mounts at the shows and will be happy to ride horses of any grade. The circuit will start at Invercargill with a two day show on February 11 and 12. The second show will be held at Dunedin on February 18 and 19.

From there the circuit will move to Waimate and the Horse of the Year Show which will be held in Knottingly Park on Febuary 24, 25 and 26. Title events to be contested at this show include the New Zealand dressage championship, Lady Rider of the Year, Horse of the year, Pony of the year and Champion Hack of the Year, as well as more dressage, working hunter and hack classes. Each day’s programme also provides ample opportunity for horses in all grades and types of jumping events. Pony jumpers are well catered for on the Saturday’s programme. As an added attraction Polo matches will be played on the Sunday. After Waimate will be another three day show at the Addington Show Grounds. This show will

feature the South Island Horse of the Year and the Wilson and Innes team contest for South Island area teams as well as jumping classes catering for all grades of horses, dressage classes and show hunter classes and pony jumping events. This show will be held on March 3, 4 and 5. The final show of the circuit will be held at Blenheim on March 11 and 12. Of special appeal to the show jumping enthusiast is the inclusion of Youillia in the Australian team. This lovely mare was one of the top horses in this country and her sale to Australia was mourned.

AREA TRIALS The Christchurch-Hurunui area of the pony club will hold its area trials on January 29 at Waikari on the property of Mr T. H. Rutherford. From these trials the riders will be selected to represent this area at the Pony Club championships later this year. It is unfortunate that this event must be held at this time of year as heat and hard sunbaked ground are not conducive to top performances in this type of event. The entries this year are rather smaller than usual but they will be as strongly contested, as a number of last year’s representatives will be competing again.