Winners at Equestrian Event

Whanganui High School's team of five riders at the Whanganui Interschool Gymkhana came away as winners.
Photo: Ella Kingston (left), Basia Sosnowska, TIC Mrs Lawson and Emma Forrester holding the cup. Absent from photo; Sophie Barron and Rebecca Benge.

On Thursday 11 May our team of five riders attended the Whanganui Interschool Gymkhana.  The event had been post-poned from term 1 due to inclement weather; and Thursday the weather was no better! It was showery in the morning, and became torrential.  The girls and horses were soaked but their enthusiasm never waned!  The students who attended were Emma Forrester on Herb, Ella Kingston on Eve, Sophie Barron on Mac, Basia Sosnowska on Sir Soloman and Rebecca Benge on Blitz. 

We started off with only 2 horses ready for presentation - plaited.  But quick action by students and mothers, we soon had a team of 4 for the 1st event which was turn out and counted towards final points.  We came 3rd in this, with our newly acquired forest green saddle pads with gold crest embroidered on the back quarter. 

The event is composed of 4 events - flat classes, games, show hunter and show jumper.  We won the Red Group competition with Sophie Barron gaining the most points for the day from all competitors, and Emma Forrester won the Blue division.  Red jumped 65cm and Blue jumped 80cm courses. 

When the team points were added up, we came 3rd from about 10-12 teams. Basia noticed that Emma's name wasn't on the team list (only the top 4 riders from each school are in the team points), even though she had won her division. 

The trophy had been awarded, and when I asked Basia's question to the organisers, they realised they had missed adding up some points.  They called everyone back, took back the sashes and in the end Whanganui High School was the winner. 

We finished about 4.45pm. A very long, wet, but successful day. 

Vickie Lawson
TIC Equestrian Sports