HORSE TALK

Press, 26 November 1980, Page 16

HORSE TALK

This year, entries for the Halswell Pony Club Show have broken all records, being the highest since the first show was held 20 years ago. With 395 back numbers being issued, this year’s show must suiely rate as one of the biggest pony club shows of its kind held in New Zealand.

Four years ago, the Halswell committee decided to change its programme from an open show with no restrictions, to a show restricted to any hack, cob or pony which has not won a first, champion or reserve champion in any open showing or jumping class at any A. and P. Show, pony club show, Horse Society show, mini circuit

shows or Duvauchelle show, but not including riding, maiden, paced and mannered or district classes since 1977 at closing of entries. All hacks and ponies have to be shown in snaffle bridles. With the changes, many thought that they would lose many entries and the show would not be such a success, but in four years this has been proved wrong, as the highest entry before this years show was 356 when the show was open to anyone. In making its show for non-first prize winners and champions and re-

serves, Halswell is catering more for hundreds of the pony club riders who really look forward to their day out which is free of the tension and professionalism of open shows.

Two new sections have been introduced this year, which have proved very popular. The coloured section, which caters for piebalds, skewbalds, palominos, appaloosas and duns, has 24 entries, and has the usual showing classes, a best walking class and the best pair, which should be an interesting class.

The galloway section for ponies over 142.5 cm and not over 147.5 (the rider may be any age) follows the lines of such classess run in Australia, where the older small rider may own a large pony, which in New Zealand they are not eligable to ride as the age limit is usually under--17 years. There are 16 entries in this new section. Another new class is the parent and child where the entry will be asked to work as a pair, child’s mount not over 147.5 cm, parent’s mount any size. There are 12 entires in this class. The show will be held at the Addington Show Grounds for the second year, and the space and excellent arena all contribute to the success of the show.

A much needed show jumping course will be conducted by John Fahey, a' top Australian and international rider, at the beginning of December at the Ashburton Show Grounds. Fahey, the riding manager of the successful New South Wales junior show jumping team which toured the South Island in , February, assisted many of our riders when he was here and those who had instruction from him then, benefited greatly. While in New Zealand Fahey will conduct courses at the Wills National Equestrian Centre at Taupo, attend the Timaru A. and P. Show, travel back to Ashburton and then to Southland to take another four-dav course. B. A. HEARD