PCANSW Championship Dressage Riders Shine in Bowral

Grace Daunt from Rankin’s Springs Pony Club in Zone 21 performed well in the Novice 2.3

Tyara Smith from Helensburgh achieved a record breaking 87.5% in the Preliminary 1.3 and went on to win the Under 13 years Age Champion

Claudia Hobson from Kurrajong Pony Club was awarded the 15 & under 17 years Reserve Champion

The Pony Club NSW State Dressage Championship was held on 18-19 April 2015 at Bong Bong Racecourse in Bowral. Riders from all across NSW and QLD were welcomed with beautiful weather, ideal grounds and exceptional facilities for both days of competition. 

This is the first year a Pony Club State Championship event has been held in Bowral, and for some competitors from central NSW; the lush grass was a sight unseen. “Bong Bong racecourse has been perfectly prepared for this event; the grounds are picture perfect and the arenas are of the highest quality”, said Phoebe Wilkinson who claimed the Reserve Champion Associate rider title over the weekend.

Over 100 Pony Club riders represented their zones from NSW, while several riders represented the state of QLD at the Championship. All competitors were required to perform two dressage tests ranging from Preliminary through to Elementary level, relevant to each age group.

Competition was incredibly strong this year with a record breaking 87.5% average score for 12 year old Tyara Smith from Helensburgh and her horse ‘Leanda Hello There’.

In the under 13 age group Tyara Smith from Helensburgh Pony Club was awarded the Age Champion title and Shelley Kleven from Nimmitabel claimed the Reserve Champion. Emily Ballard from Queensland earned the 13 and Under 15 years Age Champion for the second year in a row, with Lexy Stansfield from Cooranbong awarded the Reserve Champion. Griffith Pony Club rider, Sally Groat took out the Champion title in the 15 and under 17 age group, with Claudia Hobson from Kurrajong claiming the Reserve Champion. Whilst in the 17 and under 25 age group, final points were close as Rachel Temm from Forest Hills Pony Club was declared the Age Champion, and Phoebe Wilkinson from Hills District earning the Reserve Champion.

The Champion Zone Award went to Zone 24, with Sophie Walker from Matcham Valley, Lexy Stansfield from Cooranbong, Shilo Harvey from Tall Timbers and Hollie McIntyre from Wyong claiming the most points within their zone.

Pony Club NSW and Zone 10 Pony Clubs would like to thank Bowral Dressage Club and Bong Bong Picnic Races for providing the exceptional grounds, as well as local sponsors; Horseland Moss Vale and Southern Highlands Equine Centre for their support towards the Championship.

The next Pony Club NSW Championship is the State Jumping Equitation Championships to be held from the 16-17th May at Hawkesbury Showgrounds, Clarendon.

The Pony Club NSW State Dressage Championships is supported by Sport and Recreation a division of Communities NSW, Mitavite official feed partner, as well as other local sponsors.

HORSEZONE was proud to be a cash sponsor of this event through the HORSEZONE CLUB CONTRIBUTION SCHEME - find out more about the Scheme and how we can help your Club or Association HERE.

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