A massive weekend of pony club competition in Glen Innes saw plenty of weary riders by Sunday afternoon.
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Even Saturday’s unpredictable weather couldn’t slow pony clubbers down as they raced, soared and glammed up their mounts for the opening interclub.
Glen Innes hosted Saturday’s gymkhana as well as the Zone 13 campdrafting championships on Saturday in a double header with Inverell who conducted their interclub on Sunday.
The decision to co-host with Inverell to attract more riders paid off and Glen’s chief instructor Julie Donnelly said both were met with an overwhelming response.
“I think it was successful and we got more riders than we anticipated which was good,” she said.
“I don't know what we had last year but they were definitely up because we had 98 riders on Saturday and then on the Sunday there was 84 riders. We had a few more late entries for the draft so we got over 40 riders for the draft so that was good.
“It was really good for everyone to come and support it, especially the southern clubs, they really supported it - like Armidale, there was a Kingstown rider there, Guyra and Uralla.
It was a jam-packed Saturday with two rounds of showjumping and the campdraft.
A storm threatened the day continuing with a pause in competition before they recommenced in the afternoon.
Donnelly said it took a massive community effort to ensure the events continued.
“I just want to thank our hard working committee and all our judges and associate helpers and thank all the riders and parents because without them the day wouldn't have ran smoothly,” she said.
“The cattle donors and the Matthewson family who loaned us the truck for the weekend.”
At the end of the weekend, it was the local club who kept their winning run going, finishing at the top of the scoreboard in front of Inverell.
“We were very happy with that, we were still feeling that winning feeling from Zone so it is good to keep that rolling along,” Donnelly said.
“Hopefully we will have enough riders, everyone seemed keen to head to the Tenterfield and Emmaville two days so that will be good.”
The interclub season continues this weekend with another double header in Guyra with Kingstown and the local club hosting.