Host team Halswell won the Springston Trophy competition at the Canterbury Agricultural Park at the weekend. Halswell was represented by Annalise Thoroughgood on Glenmere Good Idea, Leigh Bowie on Rainbow Beaver, Jessica Williamson on Ohoka St Elmo, Carmel George on Deutschmark, Georgie Pinckney on Blue Magic and Larissa Thoroughgood on Glen Cree Acclaim. The team is managed by Priscilla Hill.
The Springston Trophy is the largest pony club teams event in the Southern Hemisphere, with some 44 teams from all over the South Island competing. The event included Dressage on Friday, Cross Country on Saturday and Showjumping on Sunday.
Teams from all over the South Island commented on the quality of the cross country course and the way the course was decorated and presented. The course was designed by Stuart Schroeder and built by Stuart Schroeder and Des Skene from the Halswell Branch of the Christchurch Pony Club who has made Canterbury Agricultural Park their home for the past two years.
According to Event Director John Brownlee, it's all about recognising the achievement of young riders, teamed with more experienced riders who have serious support from family and their branch. "There were intense pressures and emotional highs involved in participating but overall competitors really enjoyed themselves", Brownlee said.
Over 250 horses that had competed in the 2006 Springston Trophy paraded in the main arena at the Showgrounds in their team colours for the prizegiving on Sunday afternoon.
The Halswell team was coached by local coaching legend Mavis Harris. Mavis has been the Halswell coach for over ten years and this was a fitting tribute to her final year as the full time team coach. The bulk of the riders in the winning Halswell team have been together for three years or more.
Halswell last won the Springston Trophy in 1993, with successive wins for 1992 and 1993. Since then they have had a second, third and fourth placing so the 2006 win is cause for celebration after so much training and practice and the outstanding effort of the Halswell Branch of the Christchurch Pony Club in hosting the 2006 event. It was a wonderful effort by the team and the many parents, supporters, sponsors and volunteers that contributed to the running of the event and the performance of the Halswell team.
Second place in the 2006 Springston Trophy went to View Hill Red, 3rd place went to Rangiora, 4th place West Melton-Weedons Tan, 5th place Pick n Mix Composite, 6th place Tigers Composite.
The 2007 Springston Trophy will be held in Cromwell.
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