HORSE TALK

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32848, 23 February 1972, Page 14

HORSE TALK

Circuit Shows After the jumping show at Rangiora, where the North Island team made its first appearance, the vice-president of the New Zealand Horse Socety (Mr I. Nimmon) said that although the North horses had more than their share of wins, it was possible that they would not have matters all their own way on the Southern tour. This, he said would be a great thing for both islands, as one-sided contests did not achieve very much. . Waimate, where the next show was held, showed the truth of this statement. Although Llewellyn won two A grade events, the feature event on Sunday was won by J. Dunn (Southland) on Bush Creek, the only horse to jump -.lear in the second jump-off over raised fences. Llewellyn was second and Rosinante third. Mrs R. Bain on Harvest Moon, a well-known Canterbury combination, returned to form to win the hit and hurry and finish second equal with Rosinante in the take your own line. M. McCall and Pegasus, from Gore, won the six bar. South Island horses to win the C grade events were Anzac (D. Letham) and Flying Quail (Mrs M. Harris). Anzac is becoming a consistent allrounder, as in January he had the winning score of 34 at the South Canter-bury-North Otago area trials. A former steeplechaser, Mosque, ridden by J. Dunn, was promoted to C grade after

winning the improver table A and later was second equal with Warrior (S. Coop) in a C grade event. Two top horses, Cardiff Lass and Aristocrat, were absent through injuries.

Unfortunately, the novice and improver grades were combined which made it tough for the novice horses. Canterbury horses to gain success in these events

were Juanita Banana (Mrs R. Bain), first and third, Pitskelly (K. Goode), first and second, and Hinemoa (Mrs G. West) and Treena (Mrs J. Smith), a second each.

Excellent jumping 'in the pony ring provided some exciting contests between a former-Canter-bury pony, Tango, now ridden by V. Thompson of Dunedin, another pony of the same name, ridden

by A. Moore, Kaiapoi, and Cloudy, ridden by N. Grant, Balclutha. Gay Prince, from Rangiora, gained a second and a third. Takaka Show

The champion hack at the recent Takaka Show was a former Canterbury horse, Robbie Burns. This Moorcock gelding had much success when shown by Shirley Mahon, of Waipara, and has since done well for Miss C. Stade, of Motueka. Another Canterbury export, Springtime, won the 12.2 championship. Trekking Many children enjoyed pony club camps last holidays, when different branches organised treks. Kaiapoi members rode 25 miles to Oxford where they took part in day rides and swimming. Rangiora members enjoyed a three-day trek to Mount Grey, where activities included sports, swimming and a barbecue.

The Halswell and Mount Herbert branches went further afield, taking six days for the 80 miles from iDamond Hartiour, through Camp Bay, Port Levy and Holmes Bay to spend two nights at Pigeon Bay, where many riders and ponies had their first swimming lesson in the sea. The next stage was over the summit to Menzies Bay, thrdugh Decanter Bay, and on to Little Akaloa for another two nights, before going to Duvauchelle, where they competed successfully at the show.