Over 190 riders descended on Walcha over the weekend to compete in the Walcha Pony Club’s 52nd Jamboree. The premier event on the Pony Club calendar attracted riders from Tenterfield and Emmaville in the North through to the local clubs of Armidale, Uralla, Guyra, Glen Innes, Kingstown, Inverell and Walcha.
The event which began on Friday and concluded on Sunday held events including dressage and campdrafting, flat work including fours and pairs, rider classes, hack and bareback, jumping, barrel racing and sporting events including flag and the 3 mug race.
Walcha Pony Club Chief Instructor Maria Ireland was thrilled to see such a large and competitive field compete at the Jamboree.
“We have had riders compete from the under 7s up to the 17 to 25 age groups,” said Maria.
“At the Walcha Club we have some pretty handy kids that have all done really well.
“We have a Gymkhana season which runs through from October to December where all the kids in the region compete.
“You have to be selected to ride at this event and a club can only bring 20 under 17 riders and 6 associates which is the 17 to 25 age group.
“For the zone the Jamboree is considered the premier event.”
Events like the Walcha Jamboree are the countries breeding grounds for future Olympians.
“Olympians or any discipline, that is what Pony Club is all about, you learn to ride and do a lot of different disciplines and then branch out into whatever you want to specialise in,” said Maria.
“A lot of Olympians have started at Pony Club level.
“To put on this event takes a lot of hard work from everyone involved with the Walcha Pony Club around 20 people have really helped make this event a success, from organisng stabling, making sure the grounds are OK and organising the many different people to judge and run the events.
“It couldn’t be done without the help of all the volunteers and supporters.”
Local riders have performed well over the weekend with some outstanding results.
In the under 7 boys Hayden Clarke was Reserve Champion. In the under 13 boys Sam Colwell from Walcha was Champion with Tim Finlayson from Armidale Reserve Champion. Under 15 girls Rachel Greene from Walcha was Champion. Under 15 boys Sam Finlayson from Armidale was the Reserve Champion. In the Associate Ladies Rebecca Cameron from Armidale was Reserve Champion and in the Associate Mens Sam Hanlan from Armidale was Champion. In the Junior Teams of Four Walcha 1, was first and Armidale 1 placed third. In the Senior Teams of Four Walcha 1 came second and Armidale 2, came third. In the Associate Teams of Four Armidale came first and Walcha came second.
Story: Jo Harrison
