CHB Pony Club members have returned bearing rosettes and wide smiles, after coming second in the hotly contested North Island Show Hunter Championships in Foxton last week.
The team, with manager Brooke Edgecombe and trainer Claire Wilson, travelled to Foxton on Friday, September 30, giving them a day to familiarise themselves and their horses with the surroundings and take advantage of practice rounds over the show hunter courses.
The team consisted of Hannah von Dadelszen (riding Patrick's Finale), Leah Bibby (Half Pie), Ella von Dadelszen (Star Waka), Anna Wilson (Mt Tulloch Skylark), Dylan Bibby (Daisy Patch), Tim Wilson (Tinks), Sally Ward (Paradox) and Amanda Steele (Bear Essentials).
Competition kicked off on Saturday when all combinations did four rounds of jumping. There was a single equitation round on the Sunday.
Competition was between 22 Pony Club teams from all over the North Island.
Ms Wilson says the CHBPC team had a very enjoyable weekend.
"They were cheerful, supportive and united. Each rider produced a personal best performance, thanks to the help received from Brooke Edgecombe.
"The CHBPC team came second in the overall teams challenge, being beaten by Wellington Gold. Each class had 44 competitors so it was a very strong level of competition."
In Category A, Hannah von Dadelszen and Patrick's Finale performed confidently and gained an 80 per cent score in one class, finishing in 15th place individually. Patrick's Finale was also awarded a special prize for being one of the oldest ponies at the event.
Leah Bibby and Half Pie were a focused and polished combination that picked up an individual sixth placing in one class with a score of 83 per cent.
Hannah and Leah also gained a third and fifth placing for their combined scores in the pairs competition.
In Category B, Ella von Dadelszen and Star Waka competed stylishly throughout the weekend, finishing with a fourth placing in the equitation class with a score of 83 per cent.
Anna Wilson and Mt Tullock Skylark gained a fifth and third prize individually in two rounds, once with an 87 per cent score. They finished seventh overall and also gained a prize from the Morgan Horse Association.
Anna and Ella gained a first and third prize for their combined scores in the pairs competition.
In Category C, Dylan Bibby and Daisy Patch picked up a sixth placing in one round, with a score of 84 per cent.
Tim Wilson and Tinks picked up a third prize in one class with 83 per cent, and they finished in 13th place overall.
Tim and Dylan gained a second, sixth, sixth for their combined scores in the pairs competition.
Amanda Steele and Bear Essentials were in fine form in the hacks class all weekend and came fourth in one round and gained two scores of 84 per cent. Amanda also finished second overall in the hack division.
Sally Ward and Paradox won three first prizes and a second in the four individual classes and took away the individual title and Bowler Cup for the second year. Sally also won the hack Equitation Trophy with a score of 85 per cent.
Amanda and Sally won four firsts for their combined scores in the pairs competition and they also took out the trophy for the highest scoring pair overall. The girls also won a spot prize for their sportsmanship.