SPEED and agility was the theme for the day when the Armidale Riding Club hosted a sports day for their monthly training meet.
More than 20 riders tried their hand at pole bending, flag racing, a utility pattern, a novelty dressage course and an egg and spoon relay at the fun day on Sunday.
The Jackson’s Meats and Moxon’s Bakery event meant different skills were used by the riders from the normally dressage-focused club.
Club members Carleen McPhie and Cathy Kimmorley organised the day with riders of all ages joining in on the fun.
Kimmorley said it was a great day out for all the riders with a lot of laughs and the opportunity for riders to expand their knowledge on disciplines outside of dressage.
“I would say it was an extremely successful day with a lot of people coming in to ride, a lot people volunteering to help and we had great sausage sizzle with everyone sitting around enjoying each other’s company and the weather was perfect,” she said.
“We normally have our dressage days but we try at least every two months to have something a little bit different like our cavaletti days.
“It was a sports day so the horses have a variety and the riders have a variety. It is a good day to relax and enjoy having a nice day out with our horses.
“It seems to me everyone had a really enjoyable day and it was a nice day to meet new people and for everyone to enjoy the day with their horses.”
Fellow club members Bridget Brennan and Tonia Wheeler echoed her sentiments and said the friendly competition amongst the riders made the day even more exciting.
“It was a good day and a lot of fun,” Brennan said.
“It was a good to bring young horses out.”
“It was a lovely day and friendly,” Wheeler added.
“It was great for the young horses and the older riders.”
Armidale Riding Club meet every month and their next training day will include cavaletti training with local instructor Kerry Crees.
For more information on joining the club to participate in their club days, visit
www.armidaleridingclub.wix.com/armidale-riding-club
