Tips on riding on the road

Press, 14 September 1988, Page 46

Tips on riding on the road

Riding on the road is perfectly safe if you have a docile horse who is unconcerned by the traffic, and the drivers are considerate. It can be a nightmare if you are on a nervous horse arid the traffic is bad. So be prepared before you go out Make sure you are riding a horse you can control, that he is properly equipped and that you are wearing a hard hat. If you are riding at night have a stirrup light showing white to the front and red to the rear. Wear a fluorescent vest or armbands and a light-col-oured jacket or sweater. Always ride with both hands on the reins and have them at a sufficient length to keep your horse under control at all times. Know your highway code, ride on the left, if possible on the grass verge, ride straight and do not allow your horse to wander. Consideration to other road users is of paramount importance. Beware at all times of drivers, walkers and cyclists. Look behind and in front of you before attempting to pass walkers or stationary objects and signal clearly before moving out. Allow sufficient room for the unexpected, such as car doors suddenly opening. Always warn vocally any person standing near a stationary vehicle as sudden movements could upset the horse. Do not upset your horse on the road, as it is no place to teach him discipline. Never ride more than two abreast and if one of the horses in the group is fidgeting, arrange it so that he walks in- front of others, as this will normally make him settle. If you know your horse is not good on the road always make sure you ride with someone and have him ride on your outside or in front of you. Avoid busy -main roads if you can, as even the quietest horse can be frightened by heavy traffic. Give way to pedestrians crossing and never take any risks on the roads. Walking is the safest pace but if you must trot, never do so around corners which are often slippery. If you are in difficulties, , dismount and lead your horse. GRADING In the Additions and Amendents to the rules of showjumping published since 1984, as from August 1, 1988, Rule 255.1 has been amended to “All wins in individual showjumping competitions run under F.E.1., or N.Z.H.S. rules or the rules of a National Federation affiliated to the F.E.I. will count for grading when eight or more competitors start in the com- • petition and when the winner receives a voucher or prizemoney in excess of $3O for horses and $l5 for ponies.” HUNTER SEMINAR Kay Love will be holding the following seminars for show hunter enthusiasts at the Rangiora Pony Club Grounds. Tuesday, September 20, 12 noon iudees clinic.

Wednesday riders clinic. Further information can be obtained by contacting Marion Kelly or Vicky Hansen on phone Rangiora 6604. Entries close for the Hawarden/Waikari annual jumping show on September 16. There will be classes for all grades of horses and ponies. Dedication, hard work and talent combine to make Liz Cullen the well deserved recipient of the 1988-89 Graeme Hughes Memorial Scholarship. Liz will receive $2OO for approved instruction and free entry to all New Zealand Horse Society (Canterbury Area) Horse Trials Group’s events for the year. The group has created this scholarship in recognition of the work done by Graeme over the years for Horse Trials and riders in the area. It is fitting that the first person to receive the grant has recently taken over Graeme’s horse, The Advocate, their first New Zealand Horse Society Horse Trial being at Riccarton Racecourse on June 5, second over all in the training division. Graeme spent several years overseas, including England, where he gained valuable experience and qualified for the 8.H.5.1.1. instructor’s certificate. Upon returning to New Zealand he continued his riding, starting with a very green Emma (Vienna) who was shortly discovered to be in foal. The resulting filly, now five years old, is named Error, and has been owned by Elizabeth since the mare was broken in. We wish Liz well for the coming year with both of her horses and thank her for her continued support of the Horse Trials in Canterbury. The first round of the Stubben Mini Circuit Jumping Show was held at Kennels Park last week-end. The leaders are: Hacks J. Scott (Rufus) 27 points, S. Skates (Leonardo) 20 points, S. Topp (Windvale Law) 17 points, R. Eder (Grangeland

Showtime) 17 points, P. Carlyon (Earldom) 17 points, G. Gormack (Hennessy) 17 points. Ponies 14.2hh: L. Rutherford (Galway Dungarvan) 20 points, A. McCrostie (Craven A of Miltondale) 17 points, G. Sutton (Ace of Clubs) 17 points, J. Sullivan (Rock Wren) 17 points. Ponies 13.2hh: A. Brown (Golden Girl) 27 points, B. Bruerton (Black Mist) 18 points, N. Moore (Monique) 17 points. Results were: Novice Horse A2 (a) S. Topp’s Windvale Law 1; R. Eder’s Grangeland Showtime 2; T. Kovacs’ Mattson 3. Novice Horse A2 (b) J. Scott’s Rufus 1; P. Canyon’s Earldom 2; S. Graham’s Bodie 3. Novice Horse A2 (c) S. Skates’ Leonardo 1; J. Knoxs’ Idol Eyes and A. Geddes’ Nibbs equal 2. Novice Horse AMS (a) T. Kovacs’ Mattson 1; T. Snook's Cameo Star 2; M. Wakeman’s Gloucester 3. Novice Horse AMS (b) P. Carlyon’s Earldom 1; J. Scott’s Rufus 2; V. Hansen/W. Rutherford’s Suggestion 3. Novice Horse AMS (c) Leonardo 1; Idol Eyes 2; R. Ayton’s Sir Walter Rdward 3. Novice Horse T.Y.O. L (a): Grangeland Showtime 1; B. Storer’s Wise Guy 2; K. McCormick’s Highlander 3. Novice Horse T.Y.O. L (b): Rufus 1; M. Hodgkinson’s Nikia 2; J. Jarvis’ Casper 3. Novice Horse T.Y.O. L (c): J. Creswell’s White Bread 1; C. Seller’s Galway Gilpin 2; S. Brough’s Trinity 2. C Grade Horse A2: R. Maguire’s Captain Grey 1; G. Gormack’s Hennessy 2; N. Grigg’s Just Dougy 3. C Grade Horse AMS: Hennessy 1; Windvale Law 2; L. Carlyon’s Honeyglow-3. C Grade Horse T.Y.O. L: K. Teague’s Woodbine Idol 1; Just Dougy 2; R. Spark’s Commando 3. A and B Grade Horse A2: J. Knox’s Windigo 1; L. Meares’ Polaris 2. 14.2 PONIES Novice Pony A2 (a): A. McCrostie’s Craven A of Miltoridale I; P. Binnie’s Victoria Park Morning Glory 2; C. Sheehan’s Cotswold Trixie 3. Novice Pony A2 (b): B. Morton’s Royal Kivarne 1; L. Bennett’s The Bard 2; B. Woodham’s Chit Chat 3. Novice Pony AMS (a): E. Seller’s Kinloch Bacchus 1; D. Long’s Pinelea Gallopade 2; Victoria Park Morning Glory 3. Novice Pony AMS (b): K. Riley’s Pampas 1; S. De Fillipi’s Sumieko 2; The Bard 3. Novice Pony T.Y.O.L: D. Dakin/M. Grimes’ Smokey Lee 1; S. Walker/B. Morten Fortification Sienna 2; Sumieko 3. C Grade Pony A2: T. Mitchell's Just Questy 1; Craven A of Miltondale 2; L Cottrell’s Gorrie Downs 3. C Grade Pony AMS: Gorrie Downs 1; J. Sullivan’s Rock Wren 2; C. Smith’s Jazz 3. C Grade Pony T;Y.O.L:. Rock Wren 1; Craven A of Miltondale 2; C. Miller’s Pep n Sol 3.

A and B Grade Pony A2: R. Silcock’s Comet 1; G. Sutton’s Ace of Clubs 2; L. Rutherford’s Galway Dungarvan 3. A and B Grade Pony AMS: Ace of Clubs 1; A. Gardner’s Zaba 2; Galway Dungarvan 3. A and B Grade Pony T.Y.O.L: Galway Dungarvan 1; E. Smith’s McLoud 2; M. Chamberlain’s Hotspur 3. 13.2 PONIES Novice Pony A2: A. Winter’s Fritha 1; M. Armstrong’s Drummacott Fairytale 2; G.

Florence's Nadia 3. Novice Pony AMS: T. Black’s Alladins Folly 1; J. Creswell/M. Turner Hail 2; M. Smeath’s Murfre Allbright 3. Novice Pony T.Y.O.L: M. Robertson’s Flight Legend 1; Drummacott Fairytale 2; Hail 3. C Grade Pony A2: J. Moffatt’s Shot Silk 1; L. Hay’s Birchdale Q. Mist 2; Fritha 3. C Grade Pony AMS: C. Avis’ Storm Boy 1; N. Moore’s

Monique 2; N. Moore’s Red .Comet 3. ! C Grade Pony T.Y.O.L: Monique 1; Red Comet 2; Fritha 3. A and B Grade Pony A2: A. Brown’s Golden Girl 1; Car lyon/K. Skene Just April 2; B. Bruerton’s Blackmist 3. A and B Grade Pony AMS: Golden Girl 1; C. Miller’s Thistledown 2; Just April 3; A and B Grade Pony T.Y.0.L.: Mist 1; Golden Girl 2; Thistledown 3. ,