LIGHT HORSE SPORT

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 77, Issue 6568, 20 September 1948, Page 4

LIGHT HORSE SPORT

GYMKHANA AND HUNTERS’ TRIALS SATURDAY’S SUCCESSFUL FIXTURE The Gymkhana and Hunters’ Trials held on Messrs Morrison Bros.’ property, Park Road, on Saturday was in all respects an unqualified success. The weather in the morning was anything but promising but it cleared up before noon and the rain ceased and it was fine right throughout the afternoon, rain again starting to fall after the completion of the programme. There were a large number of spectators, estimated to be a record number, while the competing horses and ponies also constituted a record entry, horses coming from all parts of the Waikato and King Country. One of the horses came from Auckland and it competed at the Royal Agricultural Show at Sydney this year. The pony ring, with its very large number of competing ponies, was an outstanding feature of the gymkhana. Many splendid ponies, drawn from all parts of the same districts as the hunters came from, ridden by competent boy and girl riders ranging from tiny tots up to children fifteen years of age, were features, and the keenest competition prevailed. In the chief pony event there were some 40-odd entries, an cutstanding field when it is considered that a similar event at the last Waikato Show at Hamilton attracted 60odd entries. The pony ring this year at Messrs Morrison Bros.’ on Saturday indicated in the fullest possible measure the good work that the Te Awamutu Light Horse Association is doing in fostering among the children the love of horses and teaching them the sound principles of good horsemanship, and the large number of entries on Saturday went to show that those principles are being absorbed by the children.

In the senior ring, excellent horses and riders were seen in action, and horses well known at shows, gymkhanas and hunts were vying with each other. There were over 40 horses competing in the main ring. The handsome cup presented by Messrs W. J. and D. Morrison was won for the second time in succession by Mr C. Morton Dean with his hunter, Blarach. The win was a very popular one. General regret was expressed at the fact that the patron, Mr J. G. Wynyard, was not able to be present on account of recent illness, but it was gratifying to learn that Mr Wynyard is making good progress towards recovery, and this message of goodwill and interest as conveyed by the president, Mr W. J. Morrison, was greatly appreciated. There was only one serious spill throughout the day and that occurred in the dual jum]s in the pony ring. The Rogers Bros, were competing and Rev. Rogers’ mount struck a hurdle, smashing it and falling to the ground with his young rider also. A member of the Te Awamutu Ambulance Division and members of the Nursing Division attended the lad, who received slight concussion. The relief of the crowd that the popular young horseman had not suffered severe injuries was expressed by a hearty round of applause as he mounted his pony and rode back to the starting point.

The ladies of the Hunt Club were, in charge of the refreshment booth and they did excellent business. Mr G. F. Sim, M.P., was present, and he presented the trophies. The presentation ceremony was carried out after the completion of the Morrison Cup competition. Mr W. J. Morrison, president of the association, welcomed all those present, and he thanked the public for their attendance. The weather had been very kind to them, said the speaker, who thanked the ladies for their assistance, the donors of the trophies for their practical interest in the association, and all who had in any way assisted to make the gymkhana a success. Mr Morrison apologised for Mr Wynyard’s absence owing to illness, and expressed that gentleman’s interest in the association and his best wishes for continued success. Mr Morrison then thanked Mrs G. McGhie for her handsome donation of a cup in the pony events; Mr Ken Jones for a similar trophy in the Open Pony Hunter class; and Mr Alan Johnson a likewise handsome cup for the Lightweight Hunter class. Mr Morrison then called on Mr Sim to present the trophies. In doing so, Mr Sim first of all endorsed Mr Morrison’s remarks of thanks to all who had assisted to make the day a success, and a fitting climax to an excellent season. Mr Sim also thanked the Morrisons for the use of their excellent grounds and the. good work that they, assisted by equally good workers, had put in -to assure the day was the success it had turned out to be. The work of the Te Awamutu Light Horse Association was of great value and assistance to Agricultural and Pastoral Associations. That day they had on the grounds some of the best horses in the Waikato and also one from Auckland which had also competed in the Sydney Show. Mr Sim then presented the trophies and as each winner came forward he was congratulated by Mr Sim and given a hearty round of applause by the appreciative audience. The Challenge Cup was won by Mr K. Jones (Jolly Roger), the Morrison Bros.’ Cup, Mr C. Morton Dean (Blarach), the Lightweight Hunter Cup (donated by Mr A. Johnson) by Mr J. Vincent of Cambridge (Opal), the McGhie Cup (Pony Ring) by Mr T. O’Halloran (Wee Jimmy), the Open Pony Hunter Cup (presented by Mr K. Jones) by Mr T. O’Halloran (Wee Jimmy). In handing the two cups to young O’Halloran, Mr Sim expressed appreciation of the good work that the Light Horse Association was doing in encouraging young riders. Mr Sim said that the competition in the pony ring that day was harder than in the senior ring, and it was pleasing to see young riders coming forward in such large numbers.

Two loud speakers from the L. W. Spence Public Address System were in operation and Mr W. Sanders and Mr W. Macky, per medium of that system, kept the patrons of the two rings fully informed as to the progress of the events. The results of several races and trotting meetings held further afield were given, thus giving an added service. The officials were:—

Main Ring: Judge, Mr Frank Baker (Motumaoho); judge’s steward, Mr A.

S. Empson; call stewards, Messrs E. Storey, H. R. Clarke.; hurdles stewards, Messrs 'R. Fisher, D. Morrison; competition stewards, Messrs W. Macky, G. Walker, K. Jones; announcer, Mr W. Sanders; general secretary, Mr F. Pinfold; assistant secretaries, Miss N. Verity, Mrs Thompson. Pony Ring: Judge, Mr Geoff. Bennett (Hillcrest, Hamilton); supervisor, Mr J. Weal; judge’s steward, Mr Jack Johnson; call steward, Mr H. Grigg; hurdle stewards, Messrs W. McGhie, Michael Macky; measuring steward, Mr L. R. Kay; secretaries, Messrs E. Dodd, H. Maxted, B. O’Halloran; announcer, Mr W. Macky. The above officials and several unnamed helpers are to be congratulated on their wholehearted and untiring efforts throughout the day, and which led to such an enjoyable and successful day being experienced. Results:— Main Ring Maiden Hack: Ne.d Brown’s Mallee’s Comet 1, Mrs E. Storey’s Gleiiconnell 2, J. Vincent’s St. Mary 3. ■Maiden Hunter Trial: A. Harris’ Danny Defoe 1, A. Johnson’s Arabian Princess 2, B. Innes’ Lady Belle 3. Bending Competition: E. S. Lindsay’s Mr Sport 1, M. Dean’s Blarach 2.

Open Maiden Hunters: Bruce McGhie’s Red Rose 1, A. Johnson’s Arabian Princess 2, A. Harris’ Danny Defoe 3.

Lightweight Hunter: J. Vincent’s Opal 1, E. S. Lindsay’s Mr Sport 2, Mrs H. D. McDonald’s Woodlands 3.

Heavyweight Hunter: J. Hansen’s Dynamite 1, K. Jones’ Jolly Roger 2, J. Ranstead’s Robin 3. Stockman’s Competition: E. Storey 1.

Wire Jump (Open): J. Ranstead’s Robin 1, K. Jones’ Jolly Roger 2, Mrs H. D. McDonald’s Woodlands 3.

Open Hunter: K. Jones’ Jolly Roger 1, J. Hanson’s Dynamite 2, J. Ranstead’s Robin 3.

Morrison Cup: C. Morton Dean’s Blarach 1, K. Jones’ Jolly Roger 2, Mrs E. Storey’s Glenconnell 3.

Ladies’ Hunter: J. Ranstead on Robin 1, C. Morton Dean on Blarach 2, Mrs E. Storey on Glenconnell 3. Dual Jump: J. Hanson and C. M. Dean 1, B. Innes and M. Makin 2, J. Cleaver and S. Langdon 3. Pony Ring

Best Child’s Pony (13.2 and under): D. Goodin’s Lady Sue 1, R. Rogers’ Rowley 2, G. Goodin’s Bonny 3. Best Child’s Pony (over 13.2 and up to 14.2): Rev. Rogers’ Merry Maid 1, G. Rogers’ Raffles 2, G. Goodin’s Charm 3.

Best Paced and Mannered Pony: Rev. Rogers’ Rowley 1, E. Swanson’s Sirroko 2, D. Olsen’s Danny 3. Maiden Pony Hunter: M. Smith’s Smoky 1, C. Yearbury’s Danny Boy 2, J. Brown’s Blackbird 3. Best Child Rider: Revell Rogers 1, C. Swanson 2, June Swanson 3. McGhie Cup: Terry O’Halloran’s Wee Jimmy 1. Fancy Dress (pony and rider): Rogers’ entry 1, Symington’s entry 2, A. Spraggs’ entry 3. Open Pony Hunter: T. O’Halloran’s Wee Jimmy 1, J. Darcy Smith’s Flicka 2, Greenville’s Blazeaway 3. Dual Jump: Misses Alice and Anne Spraggs 1, Putt and K. Hurley 2, J. Darcy Smith and Olsen 3. Best Boy or Girl Rider on Flat: J. Darcy Smith 1, A. Charleston 2, T. Wilson 3. Best Boy or Girl Rider over Fences: C. Swanson 1, B. Coker 2, T. O’Halloran 3. Pony Bending: T. O’Halloran 1, D. Olsen 2, G. Greenville 3. Cleverest Pony Hunter: C. Swanson’s Bright Wings 1, T. O’Halloran’s Wee Jimmy 2, W. Greenville’s Bluenui 3. Musical Chairs: Miss I. Adams 1, D. Olsen 2, E. Grigg 3.