OMATANE SPORTS

Wanganui Chronicle, 19 April 1949, Page 2

OMATANE SPORTS

Successful Annual Event TAIHAPE, Last Night (OC).— The natural beauty of "Potaka” station, at Omatane, provided ah ideal setting for the Omatane Sports and Picnic Club on Easter Saturday, when visitors and competitors were present from all parts of the Taihape district for this popular annual event. Fortunately the weather cleared in the afternoon, when the sun shone out from and almost cloudless sky and people basked in the reflected glory of old King Sol. No less than £2OO in prize-money, and cups to the value of 6G guineas, were offered for competition, and all events were keenly contested. The children's pony classes were a credit to all concerned, and the Omatane Pony Club is deserving of the warmest praise for the encouragement it has given the youngsters. The cup for the child obtaining most points in the children’s pony events went to Pauline Laird, while Judith Parsons won the challenge cup presented by Mr. D. Gorringe for the best < kept child’s pony. J. Marshall, of Tiriraukawa, distinguished himself by winning the Taihape championship jump (Donovan and Ellison Cup) with his wellknown hunter Chum, and the open pony jump (T. and A. Price Cup) with Dusty. He also "took home” the Father Doolaghty Challenge Cup for Ihe horse scoring most points at local sports meetings. The ladies' hunters' jump, always a popular event, was won by Mrs. W. R. Duncan’s Darrell, and the Donovan Cup will thus repose on her mantelpiece.

The chopping events attracted more than usual interest, the winner of the main event, the Omatane Handicap, being T. Marsh, who was also third in the second-class chop. G. A. Campbell, a local policeman, also put up a good performance in winning the secondclass chop and finishing second in the “big” chop, to say nothing of being "in the money” in the teams’ match. Amongst the novelty events the baby competition was well patronised, the lucky winner being Willie Wong. The sports were well organised, thanks to the efforts of the club officials, ably led by the patron, Mr. A. McColl, president, Mr. J. W. A. Donovan, and the honorary secretary, Mr. J. McCartin. The judges of the horse events were Messrs A. K. Overton (children’s pony events) and R. K. Simpson (competitions), the chief stewards being Messrs H. Brewer and A. H. Smith respectively. In the chopping and sawing events Mr. T. C. Weir acted as chief steward. Mr. George Tall as handicapper and Mr. F. Ward as starter. Mr Les Mahoney, of Mangaweka, was a popular and efficient announcer. The "Potaka.” property was kindly nlaced at the disposal of the club by Mr. Whitehead. In presenting the trophy that bears his name, Rev. Father Doolaghty congratulated Mr. J. Marshall on his success, and added that win or lose, Mr. Marshall was alwaps a trier and competed at all the meetings in the district. The other trophies were presented by Mr. A. McColl, patron of the club, who had a word of praise for each recipient. • Results are as follow: HORSE SECTION. Children's Pony Events. Best kept child's pony (Gorringi Challen-se Cup: Judith Parsons 1 Lynsey Smith 2, Margaret O'Brien 3. Pony most suitable for school child: Margaret O’Brien 1, Judith Parsons 2, Pauline Laird 3. Low jump, under 12 years: P. Thurston 1, G. Woollaston 2, P. Hill 3. Best paced and mannered pony: H. Thurston 1, M. O'Brien 2, J. Parsons 3. Best boy rider under 12 years: D. Thurston 1. Best girl rider under 12 years: Pauline Laird. Best boy rider under 16 years: D. Thurston. Best girl rider under 16 years: H. Thurston. Musical chairs: Senior, Lynsey Smith 1, H. Thurston 2; junior, Elva Wright 1, B. Woollaston 2. Bending race: P. Laird 1, D. Thurston 2, M. O'Brien 3. Best walking pony: V. Smith 1, H. Thurston 2, M. O’Brien 3. Best boy over jumps: M. Wright. Best girl over jumps: P. Laird. Omatane Pony Club Cup for child obtaining most points in. children's events: Pauline Laird. HACK EVENTS. Ladies’ hack: J. W. Donovan 1, A. H. Smith 2, T. Scott 3. Gentleman's hack: G. Blake 1, W. R. Duncan 2, J. W. Donovan 3. Best paced and mannered: J. Donovan 1, W. R. Duncan 2, G. Clarke 3. Fastest walker: A. H. Smith 1, G. Woollaston 2, J. Donovan 3. HORSE JUMPING COMPETITIONS. Maiden pony jump: A. W. Doole's King 1, M. Wright's Idano 2, N. McCoard’s Silver 3. Maiden hunters’ jump: J. Reeve's Melody 1. G. Smith's Teihi 2, P. Henery's Castlebar 3. Sports hunters’ jump: R. Williams’ Rob Roy 1. W. Row e’s Coral 2, J. Reeve's Melody 3. Open pony jump: J. Marshall's Dusty 1, G. Clarke's Peter 2, D. McCoard's Donegal 3. Taihape championship jump, hunter style: J. Marshall’s Chum 1, W. Rowe's Coral 2, G. Clarke's Dandy 3, Mrs. W. R. Duncan's Darrell 4. Handy hunters' jump: Illstons Narobi 1. Mrs. W. R. Duncan's Darrell 2, M. Wright's Idanhoe 3. CHOPPING AND SAWING EVENTS. Second-class chop, lOin. block (standing)—First heat: Hancock 1, Weir 2, Frew 3. Second heat: Cashell I, T. Marsh 2, Baker 3. Third heat: G. A. Campbell 1, R. Garmonsway 2, Maher 3. Final: Campbell 1, Baker 2, Marsh 3. Omatane handicap, 12in. block (standing).—First heat: T. Marsh 1, Baker 2, Frew 3, Clinton 4. Second heat : Campbell 1, Weir 2, Maher 3, Garmonsway 4. Final: Marsh 1, Campbell 2. Baker 3, Garmonsway 4. Teams' event: G. A. Campbell'l team 1, Consolation chop: H. Frew 1, S. Cashell 2, G. Baker 3. Double-handed sawing, 14in. block: M. Clinton's team 1, Whitehead’s team 2. MISCELLANEOUS EXTENTS. Ladies’ golf putting: Mrs. G. Belk. Men’s coif putting: B. McConachie. Single ladies’ race: J. Whitehead. Ladies' nail driving: Mrs. C. Transom. Men’s nail driving: E. Fleet. Married men's race: Whitehead 1, McGulnn 2. Moire firewood competition: W. O'Connor 1, C. Tait 2. Baby competition: Willie Wong. Ladies' competition: Mrs. J. McCartm. Men’s 100yds: Whitehead 1, Gibb 2, McCullough 3.