PONY CLUB NSW - STATE SHOW RIDING CHAMPIONSHIPS
5 and 6 December 2009 - Bingara Showground
The annual staging of Pony Club NSW's State Show Riding Championships will be held this weekend at Bingara Showground, Bingara where over 200 of the state's best Pony Club riders will gather for a two day competition.
The fourth gathering of this event will see riders and their families come from across NSW to compete in age group classes from the tender age of 5 through to 24.
Each rider present at the Championships has been selected at a regional level prior to this event. With 17 Zones from a possible 28 Zones being represented here the level of competition is extremely high.
Show Riding is based on both the rider's and the horses' attributes. Throughout the weekend the there will be classes to examine the rider's position and the effectiveness of their aids, while other classes examine the horses confirmation, soundness and movement. It will be the rider's job to demonstrate to the judge the horse is focused on the rider, is obedient to change of pace and direction and this must look as though it is all happening effortlessly.
In other classes such as Team of Fours and Pairs riders must show their ability to coordinate with another or multiple riders.
Back to defend their titles are Ryan Johnson-McNeill (Zone 4, Dubbo) on this mount Melody Park Heavenly Pearl the current Under 13 years Champion and Kristy Hill (Zone 15, Bangalow) on Gwydion the current Under 25 year's Champion. Last year's Under 11 Champion Savannah Coddington (Zone 4, Dubbo) will make the jump to the next age group this year to make the Under 13 Championship one to watch.
Pony Club is a voluntary youth organisation which promotes the physical, mental and spiritual development of young people, while assisting them to gain knowledge and become proficient in their chosen sport. There are approximately 285 clubs across NSW, from Bega to Bourke, Cootamundra to Casino and everywhere in between.
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