Australian Pony Club Championships 2009

Katrina Ives from Kentish Pony Club Tasmania heads to the finish line on her very good, borrowed games pony in the Senior Mounted Games. Tasmania finished in sixth place.

The Queensland team of Kirstie Fossett (Alton Downs PC), Tamara Bondfield (Warwick PC), Emma Howard (Killoy PC) and John Thomson (Oxenford PC) were second in the Associate Dressage Teams Championship.

Harriet Gruen and Wallaroo Tallow from Hall Pony Club NSW was announced as Associate Dressage Champion. NSW also won the Associate and Junior Dressage Teams event.

Yesterday Emily Gray and her 13.2hh "pocket rocket", Trentlyn Joel from Narrogin Pony Club WA were told they were second on a count back in the Junior Eventing Championship. However, today officials reversed the decision and Emily was declared the Champion. Western Australia also won the Junior Eventing Teams.

Alison Lokan (Spud) and Bevanlee Banter (Rolly) represented Serpantine Pony Club WA in the Pas De Deux along with "Bob". Each State was allowed one team in this event, all the entries and music were excellent and a highlight of the week.

If there was a costume award then I think Bob and Scoop deserve to win it. Elena Collins (Bob) and Jast Basil "Scoop" represented Eastern Hills Pony Club WA with "Spud" to place second in the Pas De Deux.

Mikhaila Brand riding Supernova from Alligator Creek Pony Club Qld, joined Rachael Bell to win the Pas De Deux.

Rachael Bell and Jerez from Allora Pony Club Qld joined Mikhaila Brand to win the Pas De Deux with a Pirates of the Caribbean theme.

Amalia Reed and GH Hat Trick from Kangarilla Pony Club joined Rachel Warneke and Bay Louie from Mount Gambier Pony Club to ride to a Lion King theme in the Pas De Deux.

Sancha Butler and Goldshaft Moonshadow from Woodlands Park Pony Club NSW joined Tiffany Bignold to place third in the Pas De Deux. Later in the day Sancha and Moonshadow were announced as Champions in the Junior Dressage Division.

Tiffany Bignold and her well performed pony Glo Brook Legend representing Glenorie Pony Club NSW, joined Sancha Butler with a circus theme to place third in the Pas De Deux.

Javais Ham and Dazzle from Rochester Pony Club Victoria and Marni Hicks and Kirraway Xalted from Sheppaerton Pony Club Victoria enjoyed their ride in the Pas De Deux riding to "Jack the Knife".

Ellie Smith and Yaroom Gipsy from Fernpark Pony Club Tasmania and Sarah Steers with Yardah Action Man from Leven Pony Club Tasmania joined together with an Elvis theme in the Pas De Deux. Even adding the odd unrehearsed move this combination got into the spirit of the event and produced an entertaining performance.

Well known hacking and dressage competitor Rachael Pen Denis from Darwin Pony Club joined the Northern Territory Games team when her sister was injured. The NT team was disadvantaged when Dean O'Brien was injured in the first game and could take not further part riding. Rachael is keen to get back home to prepare for next weeks Darwin Royal show.

Patrick Fitzsimmons from Yass Pony Club NSW was a member of the winning Senior Mounted Games team.

Elizabeth Wharton from Orange Grove Pony Club was a member of the fifth place Western Australian Senior Mounted Games Team.

Matthew Gilbert from Toorbul was a member of the third placed Queensland Senior Games Team.

Esther Dales from Huntingfield Pony Club Tasmania looks to be enjoying her ride in the Senior Mounted Games. The Tasmanians have not won a lot of prizes this week, but they have been enthusiastic competitors, great team members and showed good sportsmanships. Ideals that all need to be encouraged in Pony Club.

Billie Pearson (Kangaroo Grounds PC) and Ryan Davis (Macclesfield PC) head for the finish in the Rope Race (a bending race as pairs holding a short rope). Victoria finished the Senior Mounted Games in second place.

Northern Territory Senior Mounted Games team members, Kylee Fletcher (Katherine PC) and Jessica Wuttke (Katherine PC) head for the finish in the Rope race.

Hazel Fertier from Mountain Pony Club represented South Australia in the Senior Mounted Games.

Daniel Adams from Mountain Pony Club represented South Australia in the fourth placed, (very closely behind Queensland) Senior Mounted Games team.

Regina Amey represented South Australia in the Senior Mounted Games team, on a perfect Sydney winters days.

Rhys Browne from Eastern Hills Pony Club represented Western Australia in the fifth place Senior Mounted Games Team.

Anna Murton from Inglis Pony Club Tasmania heads for the finish in the Flag Race.

Shaun Thompson from Muswellbrook Pony Club was a member of the winning NSW Senior Mounted Games Team.

After a week of competition the South Australians packed fifteen of their horses on a truck for the sixteen hour trip home. After such a big build up to the event, there were many mixed emotions as the riders watched their horses head home.

The large Victorian team looked impressive at the final prize giving.

The NSW team of Pat Ryan, Gareth Farmer, Lauren Slater, Brendan Luther (Reece Farmer absent from photo) and team manager/coach, David Harris won the Junior Prince Phillip Games 31 points ahead of Victoria.

NSW also won the Senior Mounted Games with, Ben Luther, Katie Slater, Matt Dillon, Patrick Fitzsimmons and Shaun Thompson.