Pony Club: Springston Trophy to View Hill

The red team from the host North Otago Pony Club of (from left) Summer Borrie (12, left), Alex de Geest (14), Paige Hardwick (18), Maddie Neal (15), Samantha Gillies (13) and Nelle Loper (15) came third in the Springston Trophy. Photo: Daniel Birchfield

Canterbury's View Hill Pony Club's red team lifted the Springston Trophy at the Oamaru Racecourse on October 7, going one better than its second placing last year.

The biggest pony club event in the southern hemisphere attracted 40 teams from around the South Island. View Hill Red topped the overall standings with 138.48 points after the dressage, cross-country and show-jumping events.

Close on its tail was the Halswell Pony Club's Crusaders team (140.14) followed by North Otago Pony Club Red (142.35).

The third placing was a fitting way for host North Otago to mark its 70th anniversary.

The Crusaders won the dressage title and the horsemanship award went to Kaiapoi Pony Club Black.

The wooden spoon award, presented to the top-placed team that competed but did not have enough members to be officially scored, was won by the Waihora Pony Club Zonkeys.

Springston Trophy event secretary Susan de Geest said the calibre of horsemanship on display was first-class, especially from the Canterbury-based clubs known for their championship-winning pedigree.

''Everybody came to this event with an extremely positive attitude and that's how it's continued throughout the weekend.''

Central Rural Life