Games, Games and more Games

What do fancy warmbloods, dressage horses, standardbreds, Gisborne ponies, station-breds and any other breed of horse you can name, have in common? Games with Waimakariri Riding Club thats what!

There was more than a note of trepidation for many riders about games and their equine partners! Started the day off with one group who had a lot of fun with their horses in hand. The smiles and benefits of this for developing partnerships was most evident and clear for those who chose this route. Carla and Captain had a great time. Fabulous to see Karen at her first rally on her quite nervous mount come to grips with some relaxation and forward. It was lovely to see Jill on her beautiful grey boy manage to get some of the games under their belt. Sue just seemed to get on with it all and take it all in their stride. Charlotte didn’t have it all her own way but got some lovely work in at times. Kathy and Batch had some nice runs that I saw from the sidelines. Helen and Domingo got themselves into it and had some fun.

Phillipa challenged herself to go in the confident group and was most pleased with the result as I am sure you’ll see in the photos. Tracey talked most sternly to Richie who couldn’t believe he was being asked to let her lean down and get a bottle! Nio managed to put his dressage training to good effect in the bending race and some of the games. Lovely to see Jo, a new member, get her old boy out and they had a ball. Becky and Sky got their mojo back! Another new member showed a very sticky seat when her lovely mare objected to the stuff going on behind the hedges but was pleased to have her out and learning other horse stuff! Deb and Barney were stars and its clear that Barney has put some recent training in halt to good effect! “We did more canter in one day than in two years”! Cruz was in his element although at one stage Hannah was not quite in tune with him when he wouldn’t stop.

A huge thank you to Wendy Bennett for coming across from Hokitika to photograph for the day. Members decided to donate $5.00 from photos they purchase to the Pass Wide and Slow campaign. Well worth it folks. A big thank you to other members who just came ‘for lunch’, or for general support and sideline guidance. Super to see you

Also a massive thank you to Sue Robertson, Graham and Smiley Duan for showing us how Games worked as an equestrian sport. Not only did we get an outstandingly highly qualified equestrian games coach, and her husband, but we also got Smiley Duan, from China who is training to be a Games coach as well. Another bonus was the presence and modelling of ‘proper games’ by a young lass using this opportunity to train for HOY! Good luck for your trip.

I think we need to put games on the menu for our camp later in the year! Lots of skills to learn there.