NINE junior riders and their parents from Cootamundra Pony Club headed over to Harden for a full day gymkhana hosted by the Harden Pony Club earlier this month.
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A beautiful, still, spring day made for perfect riding conditions, with a large field of competitors from across the zone in attendance. Riders travelled from clubs such as Griffith, Temora, Young, Bribbaree, and Forbes bringing strong competition.
There were events to suit everyone, with three rings going in the morning for age group classes, and sections for riding, riding in pairs, teams of four, pleasure riding, bareback riding, and handling. In the afternoon, events were held in sporting, stockman’s challenge, and showjumping. Each rider had to ride the same horse all day across all events.
Cootamundra riders and their families enjoyed participating together as a team, and were excited to come home with a large number of ribbons from the day. Jack Clancy, Cootamundra Pony Club’s youngest rider on the day, won first for under seven years rider, first under nine years pleasure rider, and second under nine years bareback rider, as well as winning two first places and four second places in the sporting events.
He also teamed up with sister Victoria in winning first for pair of riders under 11 years. Victoria Clancy also had a successful day, winning first for rider seven to nine years, first bareback rider under nine, first in handler under nine, and second pleasure rider under nine. It was good to see Coota Pony Club able to enter a team of four riders from ring one in the under 13 years team of four event with Jack, Victoria, Sophie and Joseph.
Megan Roberts was excited to be awarded first in bareback riding nine to 11 years, third in pleasure rider nine to 11 years, and third in pair of riders under 11 years with a friend from Young Pony Club. She also came second in stockman’s challenge nine to 11 years and fourth in the bending race.
Joseph Roberts teamed up with Sophie Southwell to achieve third place in pair of riders 11-13 years. Sophie won third place in her handler class, first in the keyhole event, second in pony twist, and third in barrel racing in 11-13 years as well. Also riding with Joseph and Sophie in 11-13 years was Sarah Edwards who is one of our newest members.
Lara Southwell had a great day too, coming third in pleasure riding 13-15 years, second in keyhole, and fourth in the bending race 13-15 years. Jessica Edwards was awarded first in consolation rider 13-25 years, and Abbey Gordon was first for pleasure rider and fourth for handler 15-17 years.
Most Coota riders participated in showjumping as well. Abbey Gordon was particularly happy with how her new horse, Skippy, performed at D grade level. The club is now looking forward to making its Cootamundra gymkhana just as successful in October.