Best school pony Nugget top on points

FIVE ON A HORSE: Nugget is a horse with two titles and a hand in a third from the Tahora Horse Sports. Nugget was the horse with most points and was named best school pony. On top of that, Rimu Horo, riding Nugget, was named B Grade child (8 to 11) with most points. Nugget is pictured carrying (from left) Lennox Horo, Maui Holden, Rimu Horo, Raniera Holden and Tama Wilson. Pictures by Rebecca Williams

HORSE SPORTS

A HORSE called Nugget was a star of the Tahora Horse Sports.

Nugget, ridden by 11-year-old Rimu Horo, was the horse with most points.

And the favour was returned when Rimu, riding Nugget, was named the B Grade child (aged 8 to 11) with most points.

Nugget also had the honour of being recognised as the best school pony, as Tama Wilson and friends climbed on board.

The horse sports, held last Saturday on the Tahora sports grounds in Tahora Settlement Road, west of Wharekopae, were run as a family fun day.

The programme comprised a combination of flat and jumping classes and sports events.

Children were split into three age groups, with 13 events for each division.

Adults had 18 events to compete in.

“We had 32 junior riders competing, some on more than one pony,” Tahora Horse Sports Club secretary Bridget Malcolm said.

“A total of 70 horses took part.”

This year, at lunchtime on Saturday, the club also ran two novelty events in which children and adults competed against each other.

The most contested trophy of the day was the Lands and Survey Station Cup, awarded to the local station with most points. This year it was won by Highland Station, whose winning margin was one point. Their team comprised Guy and Rebecca Williams, their daughter Phoebe, and station worker Brian Arnold.

Phoebe Williams was the “lady competitor with most points” and “local lady with most points”, and she took home the awards for the hunter jump and best walking horse.

The open horse with most points was Marley, ridden by Michael Williams.

The Williams and Kettle Trophy for the competitor with most points, and the award for the adult competitor with most points were both shared by Shane Watson and Michael Williams

The Hutchinson Cup for the local competitor with most points, and the award for the local farmer with most points went to Marewa Station’s Shane Watson, who competed on three horses.

The Pablo Memorial Hunter Jump — the big jumping event at the end of the day — was won by Robyn Wilkie, riding Grey Mare.

The local child with most points was Oliver Barclay, riding Cupid

Andrew Williams, riding Kalipso, was the A grade child (12-15yrs) with most points.

Rimu Horo, riding Nugget, was the B Grade child (8-11yrs) with most points.

Lochie Williams, riding Raven, was the C Grade child (7yrs and under) with most points.

Carys Middleton won the Jade Memorial Cup for most deserving child for competing her horse Lady bareback all day. She also won the tip’n’out jumping competition held at lunchtime.

Club secretary Bridget Malcolm thanked competitors and sponsors for making the sports day such a success.