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Wellsford was the dark horse of the competition.
The Wellsford District Pony Club took second place at the prestigious Timberlands Pony Club Team event in Tokoroa this month, despite not having sent a team for several years.
This year it sent six riders including Briar Woolley, Amy Westlake, Emma Davies, Oliver Janes-Millar and two drafted riders from Whangarei.
The event held over two days saw 165 young equestrians compete in dressage, show jumping and a “gruelling” cross-country course.
It was the event’s 40th anniversary.
Club member Rachelle Millar said the team was keen to succeed in the dressage event on the first day, as it is considered an overall indicator of performance.
“There were shouts of joy from the arena as each team member achieved a clear round.”
On the second day, rider Briar Woolley cemented the club’s success on her horse Fantastic Mr Fox in the cross-country event.
“A hesitation before these forbidding obstacles could easily land us 20 faults and push us out of the competition,” Millar said.
“Briar cleared every jump.”
The Wellsford District Pony Club is comprised of members from the Albertland Pony Club, under coach Leanne Woolley, and the Hakaru Pony Club under coach Cindy Balfour.
Pony Club is a volunteer organisation that instructs youth in the care and management of horses and in riding. It offers programmes for riders, including those without horses or starting with a lead rein.
