Members of the Gunnedah Pony Club attended competitions in Currabubula, Barraba and Gunnedah late last month, achieving some fantastic results.
After COVID-19 regulations forced the cancellation of community sports, pony club members were keen to compete again.
Riders and horses had clearly been practising during lockdown, honing their skills and keeping fit and that hard work and dedication paid off, with many riders placing in their chosen field.
Three members rode at the recent ‘Off the Track Open Hack Breed Show’, 13 at Currabubula Pony Club Sporting Day and two at the Rotary Campdraft at Burindi a property near Barraba.
Gunnedah and District Pony Club secretary, Diane Hobden, said it was great to see members back competing and doing what they love.
“It is wonderful to know they kept riding during lockdown,” Mrs Hobden said.
“To have them achieve such wonderful results in numerous disciplines is fantastic and means we are covering all aspects well in pony
club.
“It is good to see the kids branching out and discovering the disciplines they enjoy the most, doing well and most importantly, having fun.”
Caitlin and Briana Guy competed at the Burindi Rotary Campdraft, with both placing over the weekend.
Their father, Darren, said the best part for the girls being back in competition was the camaraderie and seeing people they have not seen for a while.
“It is great to see them enjoying something they love and getting the results,” Mr Guy said.
“They have kept training and improving over lockdown so they were happy they could get out, show off their horses and compete again.
“It is the friendships and the people that are the most important and it is a positive for the pony club to have riders do well across all disciplines.”
Meanwhile at Gunnedah, Jessica Swain, Courtney Hobden and Nicole Castle competed in the All Breeds Show on Sunday as part of the Off the Track Qualifier Series.
All three young women rode superbly, with Nicole Castle onboard Jackman winning reserve champion 15 and under 17 rider, Courtney Hobden riding Regal Bling took home reserve champion Australian Stock Horse working hack while Jessica Swain placed third in the open 45cm and fourth in open 60cm showjumping.
A 13-member strong team went to the Currabubula sporting day and like the other two events, participants represented Gunnedah Pony Club beautifully, displaying great sportsmanship and having an enjoyable time out and about with their horses.
Although there was no official champion and reserve point score on the day, the tallied points had Rosie Galton achieve reserve led, Claire Ellison secure reserve seven and under nine and Jazmin Hobden achieve 11 years and under 13 years champion.
