HORSE TALK

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32860, 8 March 1972, Page 14

HORSE TALK

Saba Sam Shield Although the Southland horses, Cardiff Lass, Henry Lea and Bush Creek, dominated the jumping events at the Horse of the Year Show, a team of three Canterbury ponies won the Saba Sam Shield by three-quarters of a point. The three young riders, who were all from the Ashburton district, were S. Ferguson (Playboy), A. Hampton (Blue Boy) and P. Kane (Timothy Tiptoes). This event was run in conjunction with the Pony of the Year contest, which was won by V. Thompson, on Tengo. Tango, previously owned in Christchurch, has jumped brilliantly to take the major events at Waimate, Dunedin and Invercargill. Two South Canterbury horses. Nightcali and Te Huia, were most successful in other fields. Nightcall won the Hack 1 - and Hunter of the Year award, the paced and mannered event, as well as being placed in the dressage, while Te Huia was reserve champion hunter, first and second in dressage and first in combined training. It was a just reward for the Dunn family after the many hours spent in training these two horses. Jan McKenzie, on

Fli Hi, did well to be second in the Lady Rider of the Year contest.

Jumping Show The Kaikoura Pony Club received record entries for their second annual jumping show, with riders from as far afield as Darfield and Nelson competing. Unfortunately, there were rather too many speed events in the pony ring and the open galloping course produced one or two nasty falls. Speed events for ponies are causing much concern among the head instructors of the pony club, and branches have been recommended to include more Table A events on their programmes—to encourage the children to use their own judgement rather than the speed so often seen.

Championship team Last week the Christchurch Pony Club decided to send a full team of six to the New Zealand championships at Masterton in May. The team is: M. Gould (Ribbonwood), G. Wilding (Craypot), and B. Gardiner (Duet), E. McGrath (Yukon), R. Wood (Gaza) and P. Wyllie (Rockette). Mfs M. Harris, who has successfully pro-

duced many show jumpers has been appointed team manager and trainer.

Training courses Mr Karl Jurenak will be back in Christchurch next month to take advanced dressage, advanced and novice combined training. The two advanced courses are almost filled.