A CHAMPION JUMPING PONY

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13575, 5 December 1907, Page 3

A CHAMPION JUMPING PONY

MISS BRIGGS' RAWHITI. Among the champions which Taranaki can lay claim to is the pony llavvhiti, which competed in various events at the recent Taranaki Show. The pony is considered to be the finest jumping pony in the Dominion,, and some even stretch the area' to "Australasia." Rawhiti competes in any: class in show ring competitions, and} notwithstanding that he is diminutive, has won in all classes. It is extremely interesting to see the little bay toeing the mark in the open steeplechases against tho giant hunters. A ••laugh goes forth: "He'll never get over the first fence." But an eye-opener is in store for those who have never seen him jump before, for there is no surer fencer than the pony. The ease with which he takes the ordinary fences may be gauged from tho fact that a five-feet hurdle is almost as nothing to him. His most notable high jumping performance in a show ring was that at Hawera in 1906. There was a good entry for the event, and alongside some of the competing horses Rawhiti seemed so small that it looked ridiculous to enter him. However, as the bar rose bit by bit and the horses dropped out on,e by one Rawhiti was still well in the rwnningv Gradually the bar rose till at last it was as higli as the pony. Still he flew over it. It was then realised that the pony had more than an outside chance. Finally there were only three left in, and a great struggle for supremacy ensued. One of the three was the wellknown Miguon. Rawhiti, ridden barebadk by Miss Maggie Briggs, fought on gamely, and at length set his rivals a task which they failed to accomplish. The height the pony cleared was sft. 3in. After the event tho little fellow with his rider on his back walked under the bar. It' was perhaps the finest exhibition of jumping ever seen in a show ring in New Zealand, and that a hitherto almost unknown pony was tho winner created great surprise. The height he cleared at Hawera was not his best, for ho jumped 2in. higher at Manaia the same year. This is a great height considering that he is not practised in high jumping. His successes in the show ring have not been confined to pony jumping and high jumping; at various shows he has been adjudged the pick of the ladies' hunters. Rawhiti is ov/ned hy Miss Briggs. He was purchased by Mr W. Sole, New Plymouth, in February, 1906. For Mr Sole he had won three firsts. His record for Miss Brigg3 i& as follows: — At Manaia in March, 1906— First in the pony jump, dead-heat with Bushy Park in* tho Hunters' competition, first in tho competition for ladies' hunters, and first in tho high jump. 4-t Wanganui Show, 1906 — First in'ludies' hunters first day and second on the second day, |and first in pony jumping. At Hawera Show, 1906— First in pony jumping and in high jumping. At Masterton Show, 1906 — First in pony jumping, first in ladies' hunters, and first iri the "pony to bo ridden" class. At Taranaki Show in 1906 he was first in pony jumping. At Feilding Show, 1906, lie scored three seconds. At New Plymouth* this year he was first in pony jumping and second in ladies' hunters. , Rawhiti's owner and rider. Miss Maggie Briggs. is only \5 years of age. She commenced riding in the show rings five or six years ago on Mr J. D. Mitchell's well-known pony Czarina. Besides winning many prizes in riding competitions for girls, Miss Briggs has defeated the, best lady riders in open competitions at all the principal shows. Tlvs year alone she has won the ladies' riding competitions at Feilding, Mastoi ton, Wanganui, Hawera, and . New j Plymouth. At New Plymouth Mi>^ I Briggs defeated the well-known ridt 1 I and former recognised champion of tl.< colony, Miss Abbott. Miss Brings, en account of her quiet and unassuming disposition, is among the most popular riders that have ever entered a show ring.