My Account
Coach Blyth Tait, centre. Photo, Kari Meachin.
Mahurangi riders benefited from a coaching clinic with Olympic medallist and double eventing world champion Blyth Tait, held at the Warkworth Pony Club last month.
Thirty riders from the Warkworth and Matakana Pony Clubs made the most of Tait’s expertise in competitive jumping. They learned how to approach different kinds of jumps including rolltops, palisades, corners and jumps in and out of water.
Tait retired from the equestrian sport of eventing earlier this year and now offers a select number of coaching clinics each year.
He learned through the pony club system himself, having progressed through his home club in Maunu, Whangarei. Tait says Warkworth and Matakana riders have a lot of potential.
“They are doing phenomenally well on raw talent, and with a bit more education and training they will attain higher heights and greater things,” he says.
The two pony clubs combine during the season to form representative teams for the Warkworth area.
Last season, the eventing teams came second, third and sixth overall in the district competition.
The showjumping team also came third overall at the North Island Championships held in Cambridge.
With such strong results, the teams were on track to attend the national Timberlands Trophy competition, but unfortunately it was cancelled due to Covid-19.
Anyone who would like to support or get involved with the clubs should contact wwbponyclub@gmail.com or matakanaponyclub@gmail.com
