New Zealand's finest young eventing riders will converge on Oamaru in April for the New Zealand Pony Club Horse Trials Championships.
The event, last hosted by the Ashburton, South Canterbury and North Otago pony clubs 16 years ago, will be held from April 12-15 at the Oamaru Racecourse, which offers undulating terrain ideally suited to the cross-country phase.
Committee member Jane Simpson said the course, designed by John Carmichael, of Invercargill, and constructed by Robbie McLean, of Taupo, should be completely finished by March 31. Construction was "already 99% completed and well on target".
The North Otago, Ashburton and South Canterbury area team has been selected. Anna Redmont (Tinwald branch), Andrea Gregor (Otipua) and Michelle Knight (Rakaia) will compete in the A1 championship class for riders aged 17-21.
Georgia Clark (Rakaia) won selection for the DC championship class for riders 16 years and under, while the 95cm class riders are Phillippa Small and Kourtney Shore (both Otipua) and Brittany Talbot (Lyalldale).
Waitaki event development officer Jan Kennedy said hosting the event was a huge undertaking made possible by the work of local volunteers.
"Their hard work will culminate in an exciting, brand-new, purpose-built cross-country course that has the opportunity to attract significant equestrian events to our region over the next few years." The event would attract more than 120 riders and their families, supporters and spectators, giving the local economy a considerable boost, she said.
Spectators were welcome free of charge for the cross-country day on Saturday, April 14.
Mrs Simpson said even those not normally associated with equestrian would enjoy seeing the country's most talented young riders in action.
The event was paid for by businesses and agencies including the New Zealand Community Trust, the Otago Community Trust, the Trust Community Foundation, the Lion Foundation, Youthtown and the Waitaki District Council.
