Four Forbes Pony Club riders and one from Trundle travelled to Warialda last weekend for the Pony Club NSW State Showjumping Championships where they achieved some good results. 

Riders Freya Hooper, Tess Worland, Jemma Hodder and Jake Tomlinson joined Jorja Rusten from the Trundle Pony Club to make up the Zone 11 Pony Club Team. 

Under the care of Team Manager Nicky Rusten, who did a great job keeping the team in order, they competed against riders from all over NSW and even a Queensland contingent. 

All four Forbes riders entered the championships for the first time. Instructor Laurie Norris said it was a great experience for the team. 

“Competing at State is a wonderful experience for our members,” said Laurie. “Each of the riders had success and learnt a few lessons as well. This will only help their riding into their next competition.” 

Forbes Pony Club president Gary Tomlinson celebrated the success of the club’s riders. “I am so pleased to report that Tess Worland ran 3rd in under 15 B Grade, Freya Hooper 3rd in Under 17 C Grade, Jake Tomlinson 4th in under 15 A Grade and Jemma Hodder – in a very large class of riders- 12th in under 15 C Grade.” 

Jorja competed in the 15 – u17 age group jumping A grade. After four rounds she collected a 5th, 6th and two 8th positions to place her 7th in the state. 

“We are so very proud of their efforts and their sportsmanship in cheering on each other and the success of other riders. All of the horses stood up well to the competition too, jumping up to seven rounds over the course of the weekend.” 

Forbes Pony Club is always on the lookout for new members, and those interested should contact the club secretary on forbesponyclub@gmail.com 

By Nina Hooper 

Forbes Pony Club continues to go from strength to strength with four club members to represent the zone at the NSW Pony Club Showjumping Championships to be held in Bingara on 9th and 10th July. 

The Forbes Pony Club riders who will travel to Bingara are Jake Tomlinson, Tess Worland, Jemma Hodder and Freya Hooper.

Forbes Pony Club President Gary Tomlinson said that the riders had been training extensively to have themselves and their horses in perfect competition condition. 

“These kids have been training every day to give themselves the best chance at this elite competition,” he said. “I’m sure that they will once again do the club very proud. 

“Our young members are really excelling and it has been great to see them improve every time they ride. Our club is very fortunate to have not only a friendly and supportive environment but also to have some great coaching by skilled horsepeople such as Laurie Norris and Rachael Morgan who give so much to our club,” Garry said. 

This will be the fourth time this year that Forbes Pony Club has had representatives at State Pony Club competition, with members participating in State Tetrathlon, One Day Eventing and Combined Training so far. 

Forbes Pony Club meets regularly for rally days and is always looking for new members. For information please contact forbesponyclub@gmail.com

By Nina Hooper 

Forbes Pony Club riders will represent their Zone this week at the Pony Club State Tetrathlon Championships to be held in Denman in the Hunter Valley. The event sees riders compete in a variety of sports in a version of the Olympic Pentathlon event and requires the competitors to be all round athletes. Competitors will ride a show jumping round, run a cross country course, swim and shoot.

President Gary Tomlinson is excited about the members being able to compete at this level and in a different type of equestrian sport. Competitors from the Club will be Tess Worland, Jemma Hodder and Jake Tomlinson with a fourth rider Freya Hooper unfortunately having to withdraw.

“It is so great to have so many keen young riders in our Club wanting to have a go at something different and be competitive”, said Mr Tomlinson.

“Who knows, we may even run our own tetrathlon here in Forbes one day!”

Forbes Pony Club meets regularly for Rally Days and membership is now open. For enquiries please contact the club secretary at forbesponyclub@gmail.com

In a story to rival any Hollywood script, Bathurst teenager Will Stanley has ridden back-to-back wins in the Total Wear Australia Bedgerabong Picnic Cup. This years win on Dubbo-trained Valydium was one of the most sensational rides since the first race at the current Bedgerabong track in 1933.

Valydium, a $12 half-chance at the start of the race, started slowly and had plenty to do with most of the ten-strong field sitting in front at the halfway mark of the race. The Michael Gray $5 chance The Bald Eagle sat at the front and it was going to take a mighty effort from the Connie Greig led Valydium to run down the pacesetters as they approached the home turn.

Yet somehow, 18-year-old Stanley, who will soon take on an apprenticeship in a bid to crack the metropolitan ranks, mustered a sensational burst out of Valydium as the Dubbo-based horse closed the gap. As the finish line approached, both horses were neck-and-neck as Nepenthes also hit top speed in a last gasp effort for glory.

Stanley, who showed the same composure only a year before when winning his first Bedgerabong Picnic Race Cup on Song One, hit the throttle and Valydium won by a length. The victory made it two from two for the young hoop as Greig and connections took honours over Nepenthes and The Bald Eagle in third.

For jockey Will Stanley though it was hard to believe. “I just want to thank everyone involved with the horse,” the rider said. “Valydium is a fantastic horse and the track and conditions here are superb!”

Leandro Ribeiro had three wins on the day while Bryan Dixon also took two with Shiny Agent and Penny’s Bonita.

Forbes Pony Club Rally Day Success

Forbes Pony Club’s first rally day of 2022 last Sunday was an outstanding success. There were lots of smiles according to all reports! A note that the Zone 11 AGM is on February 15th from 7pm at the Forbes Bowling Club while Harden Pony Club will be running an ODE on Sunday March 6. To keep updated please follow the Forbes Pony Club Facebook page.

West Wyalong 50th Anniversary Knock Out

The Evolution Mining West Wyalong Rugby League Knockout is on again on February 25 and 26. It will be the 50th instalment of the popular event that attracts the crème de la crème of country rugby league west of the Great Divide. Not only is it a chance for players to have an early hit out and see how they match up against opposition groups but it will be vital for teams to establish combinations before the season starts.

Forbes Flat Track Annual Double Header

The Forbes Autosports Club Flat Track Annual Double Header is on April 2 and 3 at Forbes Hoopers Road track! There is a large amount of prizemoney up for grabs and the club hopes to see participants from far and wide. On May 6, 7 and 8th the All Australian Ride-On Mower Racing Champs will also be returning to Forbes in 2022 and should prove popular again. For more info email secretary@arolmra.net

Big Wins For Forbes Fins

A big congrats to all participants at the Mountains and Plains Summer Swimming Championships last weekend. The Forbes Fins had a huge medal haul with Leo Dwyer and Charlie Howe both winning their age groups! Well done!

When the red light flashes tomorrow in the first race of the COVID-safe 2022 Bedgerabong Picnic Race Club meeting, it will mark the sign of the first real return to normality for those in the picnic racing industry since early October last year.

With about 2000 tickets sold, the 2022 edition of the Bedgerabong Picnic Races tomorrow Saturday February 12 should be one of the best after two years of COVID-related dramas. It will also be the first picnic race club meeting in 100 days and a welcome breath of fresh air for industry types.

The main event this year is the $9,000 Total Wear Bedgerabong Picnic Cup over 1400 metres. Traditionally, a hotly contested race – this year should be no different with a number of chances more than likely to win the cup. There will also be five supporting races making for a great day out.

Fashions in the Field, foot races, entertainment for the whole family as well as after race music by popular band Foxxy Cleopatra will feature on the day as excitement reaches fever pitch for organisers who have been working hard bringing the track and facilities up to standard for the event.

In positive news for the picnic racing industry, Condobolin (Saturday February 19), Yass (Saturday February 26) and Tottenham (Saturday March 5) are also slated to return.

Tickets to the 2022 Bedgerabong Races are now online through 123tix. Adults $20 and children under 15 free. There aren’t many left and tickets will not be sold at the gate!

Fashions on the Field categories are:

• Bedgerabong’s Best Dressed Ladies

• Bedgerabong’s Best Dressed Gentleman Bedgerabong’s Best Headwear

• Bedgerabong’s Best Dressed Local Ladies – local defined as within 100km

• Bedgerabong’s Best Dressed Local Gentleman

• Bedgerabong Local Junior (Boys/ GirlsU18).

Forbes Pony Club’s recent AGM has seen Gary Tomlinson take over the president’s role from Laurie Norris. Other roles include Club Captain Rachael Morgan, Secretary Juliet Hodder and Treasurer Felicity Worland. In a first for the club, junior members Freya Hooper as Junior club Captain and Jake Tomlinson as Junior Zone Representative with President Gary Tomlinson will also represent the club at Zone meetings.

Tomlinson paid tribute to outgoing President Laurie Norris – “Laurie will remain as chief instructor and we are grateful for his support and all he has done.”

The Forbes Pony Club will host its first rally day Sunday 6th February starting at 10am and encourages anyone who is interested in joining to either show up on the day or contact the club Secretary Juliet Hodder via email on forbesponyclub@gmail.com