EVA Davis and ‘Jungle Bunny’ at the North Island Showjumping Championship in Kihikihi. PHOTO SUPPLIED
ŌTOROHANGA Pony Club’s team came second in the North Island Showjumping Championship, held late last month at Kikikihi Equestrian Park. Jo Fox, head coach at Ōtorohanga Pony Club, said there were four different events and the team with the most combined points won the overall event. Three of the club’s riders: Eva Davis on ‘Jungle Bunny’, Sarah Bevege on ‘Ngatamahine JJ Airtime’ and Rosie Anderson, on ‘LV Little Chief,’ along with two draft riders from Tauranga, formed the Ōtorohanga Pony Club team. Eva, aged 14, won the trophy for most points at the show. “‘Jungle Bunny’ absolutely loves jumping just –as much as I do – and would do it on his own if he could. The hard work and commitment pays off,” Eva said. Eva thanked her parents and coaches Roger Bevage and Jo for their support. The showjumping championship benefitted from a clear patch in the weather, but one of the two prizegivings was rained out. “It was torrential. The ground was under water,” Jo said. “If it had rained a little earlier it would have done it in the competition part of it,” she added. “The weather was by then so bad it meant they could not take photos.” The jumping event was usually held in January, but had been moved to November in the past few years. The new date caused some issues by clashing with the time older students needed to study for their final exams. In another event held at the same time, with 80cm jumps, three riders from the Ōtorohanga club also won ribbons. A week later, Ōtorohanga Pony Club again came second in the Waikato Area Gold Cup Gymkhana. “Always the bridesmaid, never the bride,” Jo said. Waikato Area Pony Club hosted the weekend-long event.
