Colleen beats weight problem

Press, 31 March 1981, Page 24

Colleen beats weight problem

Special correspondent Dunedin

Karozshah’s win in the Penfold’s Handicap at Wingatui on Saturday was just as much a triumph for the mare’s apprentice rider, Colleen Christieson, as for Karozshah. Colleen’s future as a rider looked bleak when she shot up to 65kg (10.3) last year while out of action with an injury suffered in training at Riccarton, where she is apprenticed to Dave Kerr. Her shoulder was dislocated in November 1979 when she was thrown from a horse and

stood on. She had to undergo surgery to the right shoulder. She came to grips with thr weight problem with the aic of her aunt and mother. Th( aunt advised on a die! through a connection at .the “Weight Watchers” organisation and her mother provided the diet. Colleen was able to reduce to 52.5 kg and she resumed race riding at Riccarton last month. She has now ridden nine winners, including Ernest and Spedito at Wingatui Spedito was trained at Ric carton by Brydon Mills, wh prepares Karozshah.