By KEVIN TAYLOR
The fight for equal rights in horse-racing gained momentum in October 1970 when 11 women took to the saddle for the first official race-day event with female jockeys.
Six of that group will re-enact the milestone today at the Air New Zealand Race Day in Tauranga.
The original race in the same city was dubbed the Powder Puff Derby, a name that would carry a big cringe-factor these days.
However, it set the stage for women to take their place in horse-racing in New Zealand.
The pioneering jockeys, now aged between 46 and 71, will race today over 400m on quarter and Appaloosa horses.
About 35 per cent of jockeys are now female, but 30 years ago women were banned.
One of the original Powder Puffs, Linda Jones of Kaipaki, between Hamilton and Cambridge, led the fight against discrimination.
She became the first woman to apply for a jockey licence in New Zealand, and began racing her male counterparts in 1978.
It took Mrs Jones, now aged 48, three years to get the licence.
She was ready to take the issue to court, but Parliament eventually passed legislation allowing changes to occur.
The reasons given for refusing her a licence were that she was married, too old (24), not strong enough, and would take work off male jockeys.
Mrs Jones raced for only 18 months, but in that time notched up more than 50 wins.
She became the first woman to ride against men in Australia - and the only reason she did not do the same in New Zealand was because she was pregnant at the time.
Mrs Jones was also the Powder Puff Derby winner 30 years ago and is aiming for victory again today.
Another derby veteran, 47-year-old Linda Joyce of Whatawhata, said women's racing took off after that pioneering event.
"I remember it like it was yesterday. It was the nerves, because it was so new to New Zealand.
"There was so much expected of the girls," she said.
Other racing clubs started women's races and in 1976 females were allowed to obtain jockey licences.
An organisation called Flair (For Ladies Advancing Interest In Racing) has sponsored today's re-enactment.
The group was formed in 1995 to encourage interest in racing.
It provides sponsorship and support for women in the industry, and achievement awards for both genders.
Pioneering women jockeys recreate landmark debut
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