Horse Talk

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32379, 19 August 1970, Page 11

Horse Talk

Minf-circuit 'T'HE introduction of a spring mini-circuit in Canterbury should provide F.E.I. jumping in the area with a considerable boost and give both riders and horses a chance to prepare themselves for the major events ahead. There will be nine events counting towards the overall circuit aggregate. The first of these will be held on Sunday at the Rangiora Pony Club’s jumping show. The remaining events will be at the Kaiapoi jumping show, the Ellesmere Pony Club show, the Ferrymead Pony Club show, the Hawarden sweepstake day, the Ellesmere agricultural and pastoral show, the Labour Day jumping show, the Halswell Pony Club show and the Ashburton Pony Club show. Points will be awarded at each event of the circuit, which will be known as the “1970 Spring Minicircuit,” on a 5,3, 2, 1 basis. After the first day, the leaders in each section (ponies and hacks) will wear the leading rider sash. The sashes have been donated by The Pony Club and The Horse Society. A similar mini-circuit was held in Auckland last year and was a great success. It was felt that such a circuit in Canterbury would provide much needed competition to help build up to the spring shows and Horse Society

circuit If there is to be a points a prize for the day, it will n be left to the organisation e running each event to a arrange this. a Handyman ® The well known A grade ri jumper, Handyman, was killed in an unfortunate ® accident during the show ® jumping section of the " Halswell Pony Club’s one- ® day-event. It is believed that Handyman suffered a ® heart attack. His rider, 7 Miss Lynn Topp, was for- , tunate that she did not J suffer more severe iny juries. “ New gelding s- Mrs E. G. Rutherford, r of Parnassus, who had e many successes with Blue v Smoke, has purchased a y three-year-old Moorcock gelding from Geraldine, d Mrs Rutherford has just broken him in, and he is n showing promise in his i- early work, having simiI lar paces to Blue Smoke. r. As Hunter’s Moon is out n of action, Mrs R. R. Bain II has leased Obannan, an r improver horse, from I. n Knox, of Fairlie, for six b months. Obannan was ridden by Miss C. Meares at it the recent two-day-event it in Christchurch. s- Miss K. Waters is leavh ing for overseas very soon y and while she is away, her h chestnut thoroughbred, o Knight’s Command, will g be ridden by Mrs J. S. y Heard.