More than 100 horses and riders and seven Pony Clubs made up this year’s Zone 19 Pony Club Jamboree.
Held at Londonderry Pony Club during the weekend, it was deemed an enormous success with a record number of competitors, stiff competition and plenty of enjoyment.
Instructor Jaci Mascord from Londonderry Pony Club said it was, without a doubt, the one event on the Pony Club calendar that everyone looked forward to.
‘‘The kids practise hard beforehand but it’s mostly about our riders having fun and encouraging their teammates,’’ she said.
From age four to 24, riders competed in disciplines from one extreme to another including dressage, showjumping, team events, a time trial and sporting games like barrel racing.
One of the highlights of the weekend was the beginner riders’ fancy dress competition.
At the end of the weekend, Londonderry was declared the overall winner, with Epona Pony Club at Silverdale accumulating the highest point score on average.
Twelve year-old Epona rider Mutesi Blake was the highest individual achiever, while Londonderry successfully defended its title in the ‘musical ride’, involving 12 riders performing a choreographed routine to music.
From the judges to the scorers, the marshals to the canteen staff, the event was run by volunteers.
Hundreds of people including the friends and family of riders watched the action, many camping at the venue across the weekend and consuming more than 400 sausage sandwiches and keeping cool with close to 600 ice blocks.
‘‘Everyone was exhausted by the end of the weekend but it was a great success, and I was proud of every single rider and the sportsmanship they showed over the two days,’’ Ms Mascord said.
Jamboree was the final mounted Pony Club event for the year. New members are welcome to join in 2015.
For more pics, see p72 of this week's Gazette.