Whakatāne Pony Club’s recent annual Open Gymkhana was a great success, with an impressive 80 entries making it the club’s biggest turnout in years.

The day began with a special presentation recognising Martin and Karen Gow for generously allowing the club to use their property for almost 50 years.

The occasion brought past members together to acknowledge the couple’s generosity and the significant contribution they have made to the local equestrian community over many years.

Club president Michelle Rust said the presentation was a fitting way to begin the event, celebrating not only the people who helped make the pony club activities possible but also the lasting connections and friendships built through the equestrian community.

Following the presentation, the gymkhana got under way, with the 80 entries well up on the 60 last year.

Rust said the increase was a welcome boost for the club, with many attendees commenting that the day felt like “the old days”.

“The strong turnout was a fantastic sign of renewed enthusiasm for local equestrian events and the importance of keeping these opportunities alive in the community.”

The gymkhana offered something for everyone, with a range of classes catering to riders of all ages and abilities.

From lead rein and first-year-off-the-lead classes to confident beginners and the “Nervous Nellys”, the event provided an inclusive and encouraging environment for riders to build confidence, gain experience and enjoy time in the saddle.

More experienced combinations were also well catered for, with hack and pony flat classes alongside showjumping classes reaching heights of 1.10 metres.

Rust and the wider Whakatāne Pony Club team were delighted with the support received, not only in entries but the generosity of sponsors including Farm Source Edgecumbe, Canter for Cancer, Bay Vets, Farmlands Whakatāne, The Feed Bin, NZ Tack, Dunstan Horsefeeds and New World Whakatāne.

“Their contributions and donated prizes play a valuable role in attracting competitors and helping make the event possible,” said Rust.

As the club’s major fundraiser for the year, the Open Gymkhana is an important event on the calendar.

Rust highlighted the value of backing local events and providing opportunities for riders throughout the region.

The club is also grateful to those whoentered, volunteered, and helped behind the scenes.

“It takes a dedicated team and a supportive community to bring a day like this together,” said Rust.

The club hopes to build on this momentum and looks forward to welcoming riders back next year.

RESULTS

Lead rein flat classes – Pony Club Mount: Indie Moore, 1; Florence Holst, 2; Penelope Armstrong, 3; Billie Dodds, 4.

Most promising rider: Lace Anderson, 1; Florence Holst, 2; Indie Moore, 3; Eva Maaka, 4.

Best lead pony: River Haitana, 1; Indie Moore, 2; Wairaka Haitana, 3; Penelope Armstrong and Anya Pryde, 4.

Show the judge your favourite trick: Penelope Armstrong, 1; Billie Dodds, 2; Lace Anderson, 3; Anya Pryde and Indie Moore, 4.

Champion combination: Penelope Armstrong riding Moose. Reserve champion: Florence Holst riding Galaxy.

Turn Out: Anya Pryde.

First year off lead flat classes – Pony Club Mount: Tayla Hawtree, 1; Phoebe Woodley, 2; Isabella Jones,3; Georgia Jones, 4..

Most promising rider: Phoebe Woodley, 1; Tayla Hawtree, 2; Isabella Jones, 3; Georgia Jones and Cleo Maaka, 4.

Best combination: Tayla Hawtree, 1; Cleo Maaka, 2; Georgia Jones and Isabella Jones, 3; Hollie Harris and Phoebe Woodley, 4.

Walk, trot, jump: Tayla Hawtree, 1; Phoebe Woodley, 2; Isabella Jones, 3; Georgia Jones, 4.

Champion combination: Tayla Hawtree riding Jet. Reserve champion: Phoebe Woodley riding Peppermint Delight.

Turn Out: Tayla Hawtree.

Confident beginners flat classes – Pony Club Mount: Natelle Lewis, 1; Mila Anderson, 2; Cherie Harris, 3; Ada Langley, 4.

Most promising rider: Beau Anderson-Smith, 1; Natelle Lewis, 2; Mila Anderson and Cherie Harris, 3; Ada Langley, 4.

Best combination: Mila Anderson, 1; Beau Anderson-Smith, 2; Ada Langley and Natelle Lewis, 3; Cherie Harris and Alexa Maaka, 4.

Walk, trot, canter, jump: Mila Anderson, 1; Natelle Lewis, 2; Ada Langley = Alexa Maaka, 3; Beau Anderson-Smith = Cherie Harris, 4.

Champion combination: Beau Anderson-Smith riding Galaxy. Reserve champion: Mila Anderson riding Stoneleigh Puzzle.

Turn Out: Hayley Craill.

Nervous Nellys Flat Classes – Open hack/pony: Natasja Boon, 1; Gina O’Brien, 2; Jessica Sinclair, 3; Shelley Purdie, 4.

Best placed and mannered: Gina O’Brien, 1; Jessica Sinclair, 2; Shelley Purdie, 3; Annette Sharpe, 4.

Rider on the flat: Gina O’Brien, 1; Natasja Boon, 2; Jessica Sinclair, 3; Annette Sharpe, 4.

Walk, trot, canter, jump: Gina O’Brien, 1; Natasja Boon, 2; Jessica Sinclair, 3; Annette Sharpe, 4.

Champion combination: Gina O’Brien riding Hold My Beer. Reserve champion: Natasja Boon riding Drem.

Turn Out: Annette Sharpe.

Hack flat classes – Maiden Hack: Amanda Monk, 1; Ella Woodley, 2; Tina Mapu, 3; Nikita Noord, 4.

Open hack: Ashlee Officer, 1; Nikita Noord, 2; Dianne Hawkes, 3; Amanda Monk, 4.

Best placed and mannered: Amanda Monk, 1; Nikita Noord, 2; Tina Mapu, 3; Dianne Hawkes, 4.

Rider on the flat (17 years & under): Bonnie Brownlee, 1; Ella Woodley, 2; Rylee Cranswick, 3; Bailey Paling, 4.

Rider on the flat (18 years and over): Nikita Noord, 1; Tina Mapu, 2; Amanda Monk, 3; Rowena Hayes, 4.

Best combination over Hurdles (17 years & under): Rylee Cranswick, 1; Ashlee Officer, 2; Bailey Paling and Bonnie Brownlee, 3.

Best combination over hurdles (18 years & over): Rowena Hayes, 1; Nikita Noord, 2; Brooke Graham, 3.

Champion combination: Amanda Monk riding Coop D Ville. Reserve champion: Nikita Noord riding Donny.

Best combination over Hunter Jumps: Nikita Noord, 1; Bonnie Brownlee, 2; Ella Woodley, 3; Ashlee Officer, 4.

Turn Out: Ashlee Officer.

Pony flat classes – Maiden pony: Maddie Paling, 1; Dannika Beattie, 2; Fayme Anderson-Smith, 3; Sian Gibbons, 4.

Open pony: Maddie Paling, 1; Dannika Beattie, 2; Daneeka Healey, 3; Maiya Healey, 4.

Best placed and manners: Dannika Beattie, 1; Maddie Paling, 2; Sian Gibbons, 3; Fayme Anderson-Smith, 4.

Rider on the flat: Maddie Paling, 1; Fayme Anderson-Smith, 2; Dannika Beattie, 3.

Best combination over Hurdles (12 years and under): Dannika Beattie, 1; Maiya Healey, 2.

Best combination over Hurdles (13 years and over): Maddie Paling, 1; Fayme Anderson-Smith, 2; Sian Gibbons, 3; Daneeka Healey, 4.

Champion combination: Maddie Paling riding Centre of Attention.

Reserve champion: Dannika Beattie riding Honki Tonk.

Best combination over hunter jumps: Maddie Paling, 1; Fayme Anderson-Smith, 2; Dannika Beattie, 3; Daneeka Healey = Maiya Healey = Sian Gibbons, 4.

Turn Out: Maddie Paling.

Pony showjumping results

60cm: Maiya Healey riding Silver Lace, 1; Dannika Beattie riding Honki Tonk, 2.

70cm: Maddie Paling riding Flight Risk, 1; Fayme Anderson-Smith riding Mulan, 2; Dannika Beattie riding Honki Tonk, 3; Josephine Hendriks riding Empire, 4.

80cm: Maddie Paling riding Centre of Attention, 1; Maddie Paling riding Flight Risk, 2; Fayme Anderson-Smith riding Mulan, 3; Maddie Baker riding Kodiak Leap, 4.

90cm: Maddie Paling riding My Heekin Special, 1; Maddie Paling riding Centre of Attention, 2; Maddie Baker riding Kodiak Leap, 3.

1m: Maddie Paling riding My Heekin Special, 1.

Hack showjumping results

60cm: Haylee Vanstone riding Bones, 1; Kyra Purcell riding Autumn Serenade, 2; Sarah Pask riding Sonic, 3.

70cm: Ella Woodley riding Mr. Magic, 1; Rowena Hayes riding Coppelia, 2; Haylee Vanstone riding Bones, 3; Ava Ganley riding MJK Pegasus, 4.

80cm: Ella Woodley riding Mr. Magic, 1; Sacha Thomas riding Kiwi Gale, 2; Aleisha Bradley riding Lottie, 3; Mya Dickson riding Bob, 4.

90cm: Sacha Thomas riding Kiwi Gale, 1; Aleisha Bradley riding Lottie, 2; Ashlee Officer riding Cruz Control, 3; Aimee Thumath riding Brampton RF, 4.

1m: Jade Maloney riding Ginger Ninja, 1; Aleisha Bradley riding Donnie, 2; Annette Officer riding Simply Ted, 3; Jasmine Janson riding God of Mischief, 4.

1.10m: Aleisha Bradley riding Donnie, 1; Jasmine Janson riding God of Mischief, 2; Robbie McKay riding Flint, 3; Chris Peterson riding Tane Mahuta, 4.

Rescue relay

Maddison O’Brien and Maddie Baker, 1; Ada Langley and Dannika Beattie, 2; Aleisha Bradley and Ashlee Officer, 3.