Drama and tension for Tomorrow's Stars

ALL CONCENTRATION: Emily Petro, 7, and Jack. Picture by Paul Rickard

IT has all the excitement, tension and drama of the top classes . . . the entrants in the inaugural Tomorrow’s Stars event are experiencing their first show.

Held in the protected surrounds of the RDA indoor arena, Tomorrow’s Stars has 11 horses or ponies of varying size, shape and colour, and an array of riders to match. Some ride under lead, others are determinedly under their own steam. Some look quite at home.

Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, supporters and friends clap, ooh and aah in all the right places, and jump in to help when needed.

The early classes sort the field pretty quickly, with the walking race coming slightly unstuck towards the end for the small ponies — one breaks out and others follow suit. A couple of the very young riders do incredibly well to control their ponies.

A flurry of helpers step in to calm nerves in both four-hoofed and two-footed competitors.

The competition builds up through the classes, from walking to trotting to the egg and spoon and more . . . all the way to the grand finale open jump.

Everyone wins a prize by the end of the day, and while a few extra bumps and bruises need soothing, some proud budding young riders are satisfied with their day’s achievements. It is the Gisborne Show of old and a pleasure to see.

Results —Tomorrow’s Stars, best walking pony/horse: Nina Marshall, Pine Hollow Grey Girl 1; Rachael McLanachan, Brownie 2; Sophie Petro, Wainui Soda Pop 3; Annabel Matthews, Polly 4; Will Rouse, Jack Black 5.

Best trotting pony: Nina Marshall, Pine Hollow Grey Girl 1; Rachael McLanachan, Brownie 2; Sophie Petro, Wainui Soda Pop 3; Annabel Matthews, Polly 4; Will Rouse, Jack Black 5.

Rider on the flat, pony: Annabel Matthews, Polly 1; Emily Petro, Jack 2; Georgie Beaufoy, Malibu Hot Shot 3; Zoe McNaught, Sparky 4; Ella Rouse, Kizzie 5.

Rider on the flat, horse: Rachael McLanachan, Brownie 1; Sophie Petro, Wainui Soda Pop 2; Nina Marshall, Pine Hollow Grey Girl 3; Tom Rouse, Towsie 4; Will Rouse, Jack Black 5.

Pair of ponies: Nina Marshall, Pine Hollow Grey Girl, and Rachael McLanachan, Brownie 1; Will Rouse, Jack Black, and Tom Rouse, Towsie 2; Sophie Petro, Wainui Soda Pop, and Emily Petro, Jack 3; Annabel Matthews, Polly, and Zoe McNaught, Sparky 4; Lulu Tomlinson, Annie, and Ella Rouse, Kizzie 5.

Trot and lead race, pony: Annabel Matthews, Polly 1; Zoe McNaught, Sparky 2; Ella Rouse, Kizzie 3; Georgie Beaufoy, Malibu Hot Shot 4; Emily Petro, Jack 5.

Trot and lead race, horse: Sophie Petro, Wainui Soda Pop 1; Will Rouse, Jack Black 2; Nina Marshall, Pine Hollow Grey Girl 3; Tom Rouse, Towsie 4.

Egg and spoon race, pony: Annabel Matthews, Polly 1; Emily Petro, Jack 2; Ella Rouse, Kizzie 3; Zoe McNaught, Sparky 4; Georgie Beaufoy, Malibu Hot Shot 5.

Egg and spoon race, horse: Nina Marshall, Pine Hollow Grey Girl 1; Rachael McLanachan, Unnamed 2; Tom Rouse, Towsie 3; Sophie Petro, Wainui Soda Pop 4; Will Rouse, Jack Black, and Lulu Tomlinson, Annie equal 5.

Open jump, horse: Will Rouse, Jack Black 1; Tom Rouse, Towsie 2; Lulu Tomlinson, Annie 3.

Open jump, pony: Sophie Petro, Wainui Soda Pop 1; Nina Marshall, Pine Hollow Grey Girl 2; Rachael McLanachan, Brownie 3; Zoe McNaught, Sparky, and Annabel Matthews, Polly equal 4; Ella Rouse, Kizzie 6.