Rangitikei Pony Club

Wanganui Chronicle, 29 April 1949, Page 7

Rangitikei Pony Club

GYMKHANA TO BE HELD Arrangements to hold a gymkhana on the Utiku Domain on Thursday, May 12, were made at a meeting of the Rangitikei Pony Club, held at Taihape on Wednesday afternoon. Mr. W. R. Duncan occupied the chair and also present were Messrs C. G. Spiter, D. Gorringe, D. C. Strachan, C. P. McCarthy, A. Parsons, L. McCoard, P. Broderick, Mrs. M. Durrant, Mrs. D. Collins, Miss Elack and Miss Casey. The chairman explained that last year a gymkhana was held in the northern end of Rangitikei in September, but this was not a very convenient time and the event did not receive much support from parents. It was therefore agreed at a recent meeting in Hunterville that a gymkhana be held on the Utiku Domain on May 12, subject to confirmation from Taihape district members. The chairman added that he had been in touch with the Utiku Domain authorities and they had informed him that

the ground would be available on the date mentioned, but could not be used for a gymkhana on a Saturday on account of football. The meeting confirmed May 12 as the date for the gymkhana and it was decided that there should be four classes as follow: Under 8 years, over 8 and under 10 years, over 10 and under 13 years (senior group). The following officials were appointed:—Judges’ stewards, Messrs F. Brown, A. Revell, A. H. Smith. Jump stewards, Messrs L. McCoard, J. T. Duncan. Games stewards, Messrs C. Clark, C. Spicer, P. Broderick. Day secretary, Mrs. M. Durrant. The matter of arranging for three judges was left in the hands of W. R. Duncan. Mr. D. Gorringe offered to donate the cost of a broadcasting service, provided the van from Mangaweka for this purpose was available. The chairman explained that ribbons would be given as prizes, and members agreed that children valued these emblems more than cash prizes.

An attractive programme was drawn up and the advertising was left in the hands of Mr. W. R. Duncan. Mr. L. McCoard did not favour a class for the best kept gear, as it usually meant that dad did most of the work and he did not think that competition of this kind was desirable. The chairman: Dad does the fit. We should encourage children to look after their gear. Mrs. Durrant: The Pony Club instructs them and wants to see results. The chairman: The class refers to gear only and not the pony. We want the public/to attend the gymkhana, no function can be a success without public support. The programme was based on the ability to ride and included interbranch jumping and a grand parade The size and appearance of ponies would not count. HUNT AT MARTON A Mr. Duncan said that the Rangitikei Ponv Club had been invited by the Rangitikei Hunt Club to attend a hunt at Heaton Park, Marton on May 19, and it was essential that childrew ho attend should be capable of riding and jumping the fpnees, which incidentally, were not high. POPPY DAY APPEAL The annual Poppy Day appeal conducted by the Taihape R.S.A. was held on Friday and resulted in the sum of £B9/3/2 being raised in the Borough. Returns from the country districts are not yet to hand. The money will be used for the relief of distress amongst sick and disabled members of the R.S.A.