Pony Club camps have finished but things are only just getting started for the region’s young riders with Jamboree just around the corner.
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The Tenterfield and Emmaville clubs held their annual camps last week and proved the sport is thriving with 40 and 51 riders respectively turning up for each.
Emmaville’s camp began on Thursday and wrapped up on Sunday with a jam-packed schedule in between.
“A very hot, busy and successful Pony Camp is now finished,” the club said on their Facebook page.
“Fantastic to have such an increase in numbers with 51 riders, with plenty of new members and young riders.
“A top class collection of instructors have provided four days of great learning for the kids.”
Tenterfield finished their camp with the gymkhana on Sunday and president Steve Parker said this year saw a few newcomers join in to try the different disciplines offered at the sporting organisation.
“The camp went really well, we had just over 40 children,” he said.
“We do have quite a few new young riders, little kids, which is always encouraging for the future.
“In terms of instruction we concentrated on flat riding, jumping, dressage, campdraft and cattle working. All the kids had a good time.”
A host of riders who attended camp will saddle up again this weekend when they take on the region’s best at the annual Zone 13 Jamboree in Guyra.
The Zone consists of clubs from Tenterfield through to Walcha and over to Inverell and more than 100 riders are expected to compete at what is considered the championships of the region.
Clubs can field teams of up to 20 under 17 riders and six 17 to 25-year-old associate riders.
Parker said Tenterfield is down on numbers in previous years but every age group will be catered for.
“In terms of how the Jamboree team is looking, we have a few new members in the team,” he said.
“We don't quite have a full team this year because we have had some older kids leave and some younger ones come on which aren't quite there yet so we will have a team of 15.
“Our team will range in age from five to 16 so a fair spread in there.”