HORSE TALK

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32736, 13 October 1971, Page 14

HORSE TALK

• Show mornings Next Saturday the spring agricultural and pastoral shows commence at Leeston and here is a warning to those preparing their ponies in the rush and bustle of a show morning: watch where you put that needle when sewing up plaits. Earlier this year a prominent champion pony mare in England, Mirth, died after it tried to jump a gate, somersaulted and broke its neck. As Mirth had been intermittently ill since 1969, with numerous veterinary surgeons being : unable to locate the ; trouble, a post mortem ;was held. This revealed ; two large internal abi scesses caused by a 3in ’ darning needle which was ! buried just behind the : point of its shoulder.

Mini-circuit Ferrymead staged the sixth show of the Peerless Mini-circuit in perfect weather. J. Bourne, on Shakes, remained in the lead with 28, with the minor placings of Dusky Bay (25) and Perth (20) remaining as at Ellesmere. Mrs Power, on Candida, is close behind with 19, followed by D. Youngman, on Merano, with 17. A. Wightman and Gay Prince increased their lead with a win in the A and C

grade under 13.2 to gain 47 points. Phodey kept second place with 36, while Buccaneer moved up to third with 34. Hi Lyte still holds fourth place with 31. Those to up-grade at Ferrymead were K. Good on Pitskelly, who won the novice table A and was third in the improver table A. In the pony ring, A. Scott, on Twiggy, was up-graded to C after a win in the improver table A, and then went well for third in the A and C grade event.

Closed days

The Riccarton-Fendal-ton branch held a successful C.T. day in which their own members competed for the Richardson Cup, awarded for the best score of the day. This was won by P. Wyllie on Desert Queen. Winners of the different classes were S. Hudson, A. Troon, P. Wyllie and J. Turner. The junior members enjoyed games and gymkhana events in the morning. The Belfast branch held a mock hunt for their own members at Brooklands over a 300-acre area containing many natural fences and 10 sparred wire fences. The master of the Brackenfield Hunt gave the children an informative talk and then acted as master for the

mock hunt. The 26 riders thoroughly enjoyed their day. The less experienced riders were assisted over any trouble spots, enabling them all to keep up.

The Belfast branch hopes to entertain blind children next Sunday, giving them all rides followed by afternoon tea. Many of these children have never even felt a pony and this afternoon should be a memorable one.

Training day

The monthly training day will be held next Sunday on Mr R. Dailey’s property in Shands Road. The dressage group will function in the morning with emphasis being on basic training for riders 14 or more. The afternoon’s programme will consist of instruction and practice followed by sweepstake events for jumping horses only.

Labour Day show

The annual jumping show and carnival organised by the junior committee of the Horse Society and the Rangiora Jaycees promises to be another successful day. The feature jumping events have drawn some top horses and ponies, including last year’s winners, Hi Fi in the Labour Day championship and Sirocco in the juvenile championship. The bareback class has again proved popular with 26 entries.