Four young riders from the Cobargo Pony Club have competed and done well at the Queensland Pony Club State Sporting Championships held at Roma recently.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Zali Duncan, Alena Duncan, Rochelle Voveris and Regina Nicholls rode as part of the 18-strong NSW state team among 171 riders across five age groups.
Zali and Alena’s mother Angie Duncan said the girls had a great time despite the trip being very hard on the horses and riders.
“We had to travel 17 hours and then endure 40-plus degree days with hot winds, but the kids all enjoyed the water truck that drove around spraying water,” Angie said.
Zali placed third overall in the under 11s group, an incredible result considering the level of competition.
Meanwhile, Rochelle placed fifth overall in the 11-13 years, Alena, at seven years old the youngest rider at the championship, placed eighth in the under 11s, and Regina was 13th in the 11-13 years.
The Nicholls family thanked Angie and Neil Duncan from Bega for making the trip possible.
The Duncans not only organised the trip and transported the horses all the way to Queensland for their own daughters, they also supplied the horses for Paige and Rochelle.
“We had great company and meet new people and watched some great riders,” Regina’s mother Paige Nicholls said.
Angie Duncan said she was so proud of the four Zone 14 riders who were part of the NSW state team riding in Roma.
“They were such good sports and such a credit to Zone 14, their club Cobargo, and themselves. Congratulations girls!” she said.
“Our wonderful horses handled the long journey well, to be faced with red dust, strong winds and 40-plus degree days.
“We had some fantastic results with all four coming home with ribbons.”
The results were as follows:
Regina Nicholls, 11-13 age group: 2nd in Flags, 8th in bending and 10th in Barrels and placed 13th overall.
Rochelle Voveris, 11-13: 3rd in flags, 3rd in barrels, 3rd in cloverleaf, 4th in diamond flags, 7th in 3 mug and 9th in bending and 5th overall.
Zali Duncan, under 11: 1st in the barrels and cloverleaf, 2nd in the scudda ho, 3rd in Bawnduggie bend, 4th in diamond flags, and placed 3rd overall.
Alena Duncan, under 11: 2nd in 3 mug, 3rd in barrels and 6th in diamond flags and came 8th overall.