Jumping forward at Inglewood Pony Club

INGLEWOOD Pony Club held their annual showjumping competition on Sunday, August 30.
Despite the inclement weather, the day was a success for the club, with over 70 keen competitors braving the rain to compete in the 12 horse and pony classes, ranging from 50cm for the young children and horses/ponies to 1.10m for the more experienced combinations.
The jumping competition was a chance for pony club kids from around the Taranaki region to test skills they had been meticulously honing during six practice jumping days at Inglewood arena during winter.
It was also a chance for more senior riders to get their season off to a flying start.
In the higher classes, many high quality riders, including New Zealand Games representative Hannah Trott, One Star Pony Grand Prix rider Caitlyn Horton and aspiring Grand Prix riders Shannon Seaver and Summer Russell in the pony classes, fought for the prizes.
In the horse classes, notable names included 2008 Horse of the Year Amateur Rider title holder, Aleisha Kerr and ex-intermediate eventer, Tracy Horton.
The day wasn't just for the serious jumpers though, with one such example being the Taranaki dressage reserve, but relatively inexperienced jumper, Katherine Banks winning the 80cm pony accumulator class, showing the rest that you don't need to be a serious jumper to do well.
The horse and pony accumulator classes are a new addition to the Inglewood competition this year.
Inglewood president Tracy Horton says, "The accumulator is a competition where each fence has a points value and the course consists of eight fences, including one at the end called 'The Joker.'
"'The Joker' is a jump much higher and harder than the rest of the course and is optional. If it is cleared, the rider gains double points; if not, loses double points. The rider with the most points wins.
"We introduced this here to emulate the accumulator competition held every year at the North Island Pony Club Showjumping Champs."
The day was enjoyed by all and even those that fell off or missed the finish flags still had a chance of not going home empty-handed, with numerous spot prizes being given out by the judge. The Inglewood members hope for even more success next year.

Results

Horse Classes

Class 1 TAM3 70cm - Paris (C Fleming), 1; Tuscany (M Laird), 2; Kaipo (D Buchanan), 3; St Anque (H Burling), 4.
Class 2 Table C 80cm - Flick (K Allen), 1; Tuscany, 2; St Anque, 3; Kaipo, 4
Class 3 Accumulator 90cm - Flick, 1; Marokopa Rose (A Sayers), 2; Morokopa Blaze (A Sayers), 3; Rocketman Too (A Kerr), 4
Class 4 TAM5 1m - Marokopa Rose, 1; Riverhorse (F Russell), 2; Kitford Tajgcal (A Butler), 3; Waka Ahu (H Trott), 4
Class 5 Table C 1.05m - Perfect Exchange (A Kerr), 1; Kitford Tajgcal, 2; Kenya (S Managh), 3; Marokopa Rose, 4
Class 6 TAM5 1.1m - HS Liquorice Twist (T Horton), 1; Riverhorse, 2; Paparazzi Girl (M Lobb), 3

Pony Classes

Class 7 TAM3 50cm - Rizzie (N Davies), 1; Master Buff (O Thomson-Booth), 2; Makahiwi Guinevere (S Pemberton, 3; Shaz (P Marshall), 4
Class 8 Table C 65cm - Rizzie, 1; Hazelwood Perfection (H Schofer), 2; Roanee (S Wood), 3; Moody Blues (F Florence), 4
Class 9 Accumulator 80cm - SS Roulette (K Banks), 1; Celtic Limelight (J Giltrap), 2; Biscuit (K Barrett), 3; Zac (H Fleming), 4
Class 10 Table C 90cm - Little (H Trott), 1; Cyclone Fergie (E Florence), 2; Celtic Limelight, 3; Star Appeal (C Horton), 4
Class 11 TAM5 1m - Star Appeal, 1; Little, 2; Bruin A Half (S Seaver), 3
Class 12 TAM5 1.05m - Star Appeal, 1; Bruin A Half, 2; The Good Guy, (F Russell), 3; Prince Ransome (H Trott), 4.