Sophie Pearn completes the new-look course. Photo by Gain and Mane.
Deniliquin Pony Club members have snagged a number of placings in events at the club’s horse trials on Sunday.
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More than 90 riders from across the district competed in the event, which also allowed the Pony Club to launch their newly upgraded course.
It had to be rebuilt after the floods in 2022, with accredited course builder Stuart Bellingham providing his expertise.
“It is a fun, exciting and challenging, but fair course,” Bellingham said.
“It was ridden well, but riders had to be on their game.
“The day as a whole had a great, friendly atmosphere and everyone enjoying themselves.”
The horse trials were open for any rider aged eight and over.
For Deniliquin, nine year-old Zara Lindsay-Field was the youngest competitor.
It was her first ever horse trials, which she completed with her pony ‘Angel’.
Deniliquin Pony Club member results from Sunday are as follows:
Grade 3: Emma Wettenhall - Combined Training 1st; Skye Starritt - Combined Training 2nd.
Grade 4: Sophie Pearn - Horse Trials 1st, Super Cross 1st, Combined Training 1st.
Grade 5 Open: Amelia McCrabb - Horse Trials 3rd & 6th; Super Cross 1st & 3rd; Combined Training 5th.
Grade 6: Zara Lindsay Field - Horse Trials 3rd, Super Cross 2nd, Combined Training 4th.
Zara Lindsay-Field, 9 years old and pony Angel it was their first Horse Trials
Local equestrians offered their time to judge the trials, including dressage judges Haydn McKay, Gill Fraser, Rhonda La Porta and Lynda Danckert.
Kevin Hare was the show jumping judge.
Deniliquin Pony Club executive committee members said it was an amazing weekend of competition, possible thanks to a lot of generous support.
“It was a fantastic sunny day with over 90 riders from 8 to 60 years old from all over New South Wales and Victoria,” president Audrey Hurst said.
“The horse trials brought more than 200 visitors to town for the weekend, helping boost the local economy and giving back to all the local businesses that supported us,” she continued.
“The days' success is a massive credit to the support of local businesses and their generous sponsorship, the clubs members and their families, the volunteers in the lead up that put in a huge number of hours. It is a massive team effort,” event coordinator and committee treasurer Joanna Wettenhall added.
The Deniliquin Pony Club welcomes new members.
Newcomers can complete two come and try rallies days before committing to a membership.
Anyone interested is invited to reach out to the club at deniliquinponyclub@gmail.com.
Emma Wettenhall in action on Sunday. Photo by Gain and Mane.
Skye Starritt sails over one of the course obstacles. Photo by Gain and Mane.
Zara Lindsay-Field enjoyed her first horse trails experience. Photo by Gain and Mane.
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