Boggabri Pony Club hosts successful camp

Forty-two riders of all ages and abilities have spent a week at the annual Boggabri Pony Club camp held at the Boggabri Showground under the watchful eye of experienced instructors.

The first camp was held in 1951 and the traditions established then are continued today.

The camp is modelled on the light horse camps of the First World War with Reveille and flag raising each morning and the Last Post and lowering the flag each evening at sunset.

While the current participants didn’t need to use the old palliasse, (a sack made of jute and stuffed with hay) as their bedding most were looking forward to their home comforts and sleeping in their own bed after a week at camp.

All aspects of looking after their horses, dressage, sporting and competing were covered during the week.

This was on top of having fun during the apple bobbing, water bucket passing, the concert and making new friends.

There were little ones who were on a lead when they came into camp and rode on their own at the gymkhana which goes to show that encouragement and daily practice makes a difference.

The organisation of the kitchen was under the watchful eye of Amelia Stenhouse and supported by parents and volunteers.

Kylie Walsh said: “A shout out to all the wonderful parents and community members working in the kitchen at pony camp.”

They prepared and served over 1400 meals, cooked 30kg of bacon, 20kg of mince, 32 roasts, 40kg potatoes, 200 chicken drumsticks, 20kg onions, 600 eggs and 140 meringue pies.

On the Saturday, the Boggabri Women’s Shed gave the pony club members a rest by running the canteen as a fund raiser for the shed.

At the end of the gymkhana the blue troop showcased a spectacular musical ride prior to the trophy presentation.

Some of the trophies have long term and significant memories for members.

One such trophy is the ‘Melissa Gibson-Brown memorial trophy’ given for the Most Co-operative Girl during camp.

It is given by Heather Gillham in memory of Melissa who was killed in the early hours of December 22, 1989, in the horrific Kempsey bus crash that killed 35 people and injured 41 other passengers.

Melissa attended the Boggabri Pony club camp as a young girl.

Trophy winners – Prior shield for Grand Champion Rider of the Camp, Grace Stenhouse, Alex Nelson Shield for highest point scoring child, Sophia Ratcliffe on a countback from Amelia Bates, Founders Trophy for rally day attendance and improvement, Matilda Fielding, Atkinson Family trophies for champion sporting achievement, Senior – Grace Stenhouse, Junior – Sophie Anderson, Jack, Jean and Graeme Stevenson Memorial trophy for horsemanship, Matilda Fielding, Keys Family trophy for highest point scoring associate, Elly Byriell, Melissa Gibson-Brown memorial trophy for most co-operative girl, Matilda Fielding, Thomas Family trophy for most co-operative boy, Laurie Roache, EH Smith Memorial trophy for Blue troop dressage, Grace Stenhouse, Gillham Transport trophy for Red troop dressage, Laura Bassett, Trophy for White troop dressage, Sophie Anderson, Waterhouse memorial trophy for senior jumping, Emity Croft, Nelson family trophy for junior jumping, Olivia Livingstone, Alderson Family trophy for Senior combined training, Grace Stenhouse, Alderson Family trophy for Junior combined training Sophie Anderson, Bullen Family stockhorse trophies, Junior – Sophie Anderson, Senior- Grace Stenhouse, Rees Family for Most improved Boy, Laurie Roche, Davis Family trophy for Most improved girl, Charli Nancarrow, Byriell Family Associate fastest time in the rider in action, Sam Roche, Thomson Family for fastest junior barrel time of the day, Sophie Anderson, McKechnie Family for fastest associate barrel time of the day, Sam Roche.

Concert night was won by red troop, troop drill was won by blue section one, and green/black section one.

High point score sashes in age groups; U7 boys, Max Ratcliff, U7 girls, Esther Land, 7&U 9 boys Tom Beckett, 7&U girls, Alice Norton, 9&U11 girls, Sophia Ratcliffe, 11&U13 girls, Cael Browning, 13&U15 boys, Jack Rees, 13&U15 girls, Grace Stenhouse, 15&U17 boys, Laurie Roche, 15&U17 girls, Amelia Bates, Associate, Elly Byriell.

Guy Thomas and Barry Thomson thanked all the members for their contribution to a wonderful camp, with special mention to the campers finishing their junior camping years and hope that they return as troop leaders in the future.