SCHOOL PONIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20116, 29 November 1928, Page 14

SCHOOL PONIES.

Sir,—l would like to say a few words ro tiio "walk, trot arid gallop" for school ponies at the show on Saturday. It was a competition much looked forward to by tho children, who had entered their school ponies, many of which were not quite good enough for any other class, but much to the surprise and disappointment of the young folk, several horses and one qualified hunter, which had already taken several prizes at (he show, took part in the "race," as such it turned out to bo, and as several of the riders were well over the age limit of fourteen years, what chance did the little ones have on their small ponies ? It looked absurd 1o see big horses competing with and racing tiny Shctlands, ridden by small girls. Although the prizes wero not to be awarded for speed, I noticed that the first, second and third horses to finish were rewarded no other judging taking place at all. Thus the item, which should have been the most popular and interesting for the kiddies with ponies, turned out to be a real farce, and unless the class is limited strictly to school ponies and to riders under fourteen years of age, the you Hp ones, for whom this class is really intended, would do well to save their entrance fee. Spectator.