Waikato's Putaruru-Tirau club took out the two top grades at the Kakatahi Polocrosse Club's annual carnival at the weekend.
There were 15 club squads from around the North Island competing at Kaiwhaiki's McNab Domain, which was the fourth carnival of the season and the first blessed with perfect weather throughoutboth days.
Kakatahi club spokeswoman Sarah Wills said conditions were not excessively hot for horses and riders, while the rain also stayed away and gave way to nice sunshine on the second day.
"Quite a lot of club members went out on their younger horses.
"It was a good night on Saturday night and lots of support of the finals on Sunday afternoon. Lots of spectators came to watch."
The A Grade was a six team draw with Putaruru-Tirau's No1 team the winners, while Te Mata 2 were runnersup.
Best riders in each No1-3 position were Sam Cunningham (1), Mirren Tye (2) and Russell Tye (3), the latter also named Best Pony/Rider combination with his horse Turbo.
The B Grade was a four-team round robin, with the local Kakatahi 3 team coming the runnersup to Putaruru-Tirau 2, in what was easily the best performance by the local squads.
Kakatahi No1 player Dean Barr lines up an opportunity to score against Putaruru-Tirau in their B Grade matchup at McNab Domain on Saturday afternoon.
Coming home from Australia to represent her old club, Kakatahi's Katie Wills was judged Best Pony/Rider with her mare Cindy, which was owned by Rick Collins.
Best riders in each position were Lauren Tye (1), Manu Kereopa (2) and Caitlyn Cornelius (3).
C Grade was a five team round robin, which was won by Te Mata 3, with Kaitieke 3 the runnersup.
Best in each position were Lauren Phillips (1), Julie Woodman-Neill (2) and Tyler Malcolm (3), while Best Pony/Rider combination was Travis Bowring and Babe.
In addition, Kakatahi had good news with the announcement of club members Sarah Holmes and Danielle Kenny being selected in the New Zealand Ladies Barbarian team who will head to Zimbabwe in June and July.
This national squad is part of the wider pool of riders preparing for the World Cup next year in Warrick, Australia.
Another Kakatahi standout over the weekend was Andy Wills, who turned out on his young up-and-coming mare Ivy and did very well.
