Boggabri Pony Camp returns in 2022

Boggabri Pony Club hosted its 2022 pony camp during the recent school holidays and the event was declared as an outstanding success by officials, parents, volunteers and riders.

With the last camp held back in 2019, the 2022 committee was waiting anxiously as the rain fell and floods rose and slowly flowed down stream.

One family was flooded in and neighbours, friends and pony club members rallied to get the rider to pony camp, look after her and ensure that she did not miss out on the camp experience.

A family loaned a horse and gear, another family provided uniform, a neighbour boated family to camp, and the pony club family kept a close eye on the little one when parents were not able to be present.

Senior instructor of the Boggabri Pony Camp, Hayley Yandell-Smith, said the club was pleased to be able to host the event.

“We were thankful to host our 2022 pony camp, especially with heavy rain, flooding and road closures in the local district,” she said.

Thirty-nine riders enjoyed lessons throughout the week including, stockhorse time trial and mechanical cow, sporting and mounted games, flat riding, tetrathlon, show jumping, dressage, polocrosse, bareback, horsemanship and the blue troop musical ride.

Pony camp is not all about horses. It is also about making friends and new experiences while living in camp for the week.

Each night, the campers enjoyed entertainment such as a skit night, disco dance night, and an educational visit from NSW Fire and Rescue Boggabri branch.

The senior blue troop created their own musical routine and performed it on Saturday prior to presentation.

Results from the 2022 pony camp are as follows:

Champion riders:

Junior boy rider – Lachie Carter.

Junior girl rider – Josie Puxty.

Senior girl rider – Grace Stenhouse.

Senior boy rider – Jack Rees.

Grand champion rider – Grace Stenhouse.

Highest point scores:

Sophia Ratcliffe (7-9-years).

Sophie Anderson (9-11 years) (she also received the Alex Nelson trophy for overall highest point score of the camp).

Laura Bassett (11-13-years).

Grace Stenhouse (13-15-years).

Samantha Roche (15-17-years).

Katrina Gorman (associate).

One person missing from the 2022 camp was Heather Gillham. Despite not having children at camp, Heather has helped in the kitchen every year since 1984.

After the Boggabri Pony Camp, riders competed at Gunnedah Pony Club Jamboree with great success.