One-day spectacle

Press, 2 July 1986, Page 32

One-day spectacle

The Trusteebank Canterbury Secondary School Oneday Horse Trials provided a colourful sight for hundreds of spectators who turned out at Riccarton Racecourse on Sunday. They saw more than 100 riders from 23 schools in Canterbury contest the Trusteebank plaque.

The teams of four, with riders and horses turned out in school colours, competed in dressage, cross-country and showjumping phases. Among the 26 teams entered, there were three boys schools represented this year. Several teams were eliminated on the cross-coun-try course. Fence 17, Christ’s crossing, a drop bank down to the water, caused the most trouble.

Rang! Ruru A, on 74 points, was leading after the dressage with Burnside and Mairehau equal second on 76, Rangiora fourth with 76.5 and Hillmorton fifth with 76.75. After the cross-country, the teams positions changed, with Rangiora taking the lead, with Mairehau close behind, and Rang! Ruru third. Rangiora’s misfortune in knocking a rail in the

showjumping gave the lead to Mairehau, which took the honours, winning by less than one point Rang! Ruru took fourth place. Winning team members were A. Stringer’s Whetu, N. Grigg’s Just Dougy, C. Clark’s Gypsy Prince, and V. Green’s Jiminy Cricket The special prize for the best turned-out team was won by Hawarden Area School; in second place Christ’s College and Mairehau third. The consolation prize for the team eliminated on the cross-country, with the best dressage and showjumping, Lincoln High School. Over-all results: Mairehau High School A 1, Hillmorton 2, Rangiora 3, Rangi Ruru A 4. * * * The English instructor, Mr Charlie Micklem, who has taught in New Zealand each spring since 1983, will be available again this year during November-December. Areas wishing to host Mr Micklem should apply for the dates they want as soon as possible, so his trip can be arranged accordingly.

Conditions will be as in previous years: a five-day course, 15 riders, three groups of five for flat work in the mornings, and jumping each afternoon in two equal groups. Courses must be filled to cover costs. These will be completed as soon as the required number of courses is known. • • * Rules for one-day horse trials, run by branches and clubs of the Canterbury-West-land Area, are as follows:— Introductory. — This grade is for any inexperienced combination. After having been placed first second or third, the combination must move on to the novice grade. The term “inexperienced” applies to any combination of rider, pony or horse which has never been placed at any one-day horse trial. Novice. — For those upgrading from introductory. After being placed first second or. third in two novice trials, the' combination must move on to intermediate. Intermediate. — For those upgrading from lower grades. Having been placed first

second or third in three intermediate trials, the combination must move on to open. Open. — For those upgrading from lower grades. If placed first second or third in any open trials (including area trials) a . combination may enter competitively in a lower grade. • An introductory novice or intermediate grade combination may enter in a higher grade, if placed first second or third, may not enter competitively in a lower grade. • Competitors may enter in a lower grade on payment of normal entry fees, but on a non-competitive basis. • Novice, 12 years and under. — Once a combination has been placed first second or third in two trials, he or she may remain in novice under a penalty, of 10 points. Should the combination be placed first second or third again, they receive a penalty of 15 points, 15 to be the maximum penalty. • Any combination may, if it so desires, enter in a higher grade but, if placed first second or third in that grade, may not enter competitively in a lower grade.