Despite the stormy weather, a very determined team of riders and parents from South Pembrokeshire Hunt Branch of the Pony Club braved the rain and heavy winds to travel to Chepstow recently to take part in a tetrathlon and team show jumping competition. The event was organised by the Curre Hunt Pony Club and held at Chepstow Leisure Centre and the David Broome Equestrian Centre.

It was a very long weekend for riders and parents as on the Saturday the competitors took part in a triathlon which involved running, shooting and swimming, while on the Sunday, they competed in the riding stage of the tetrathlon as well as a team show jumping competition.

Fred Meyrick, Emma Morgan and Lorcan Williams competed in the Tadpoles Competition for Under 10s. All three did extremely well with Lorcan winning the shoot with an excellent 940 out of 1,000, and Fred coming first in the boys swim. This was Emma's first full tetrathlon and she also did well to be one of the few competitors to go clear in the riding phase.

As a result of their hard work the team came an excellent third overall, while Fred and Lorcan did extremely well to come third and sixth respectively in the boys competition.

Jack Goldsworthy Spuffard and Anna Morgan were competing in the Minimus. The pair were joined in the team event by Nicole Elsdon from neighbouring Vale of Taf Pony Club and they came an excellent second in the team competition.

Jack did extremely well in all disciplines in the boys competition to once again to come first overall. This keeps up his 100 per cent record of wins in 2008. Well done Jack!

Meanwhile, the girls class was extremely large with some very high scores recorded by competitors from across Wales and the South of England. On this occasion therefore Anna was just out of the rosettes in eighth place despite recording good scores in all disciplines.

The team show jumping attracted nearly 50 teams from Pony Clubs across Wales and the South of England. Unfortunately, a couple of the South Pembs riders were unable to travel to Chepstow which meant that in some classes all the scores had to count. Despite this, all the South Pembs teams did well.

In the 10 years and under competition, double clear rounds were recorded by Lorcan Williams riding Benji and Anna Morgan riding both her ponies Regency Gold and Able Mable, while Fred Meyrick rode his pony Polly superbly to get just four faults. As a result, a thrilled team of Fred, Anna and Lorcan came sixth.

In the 12 years and under class, special mention must go to Fred Meyrick and Emma Morgan. Due to a shortage of riders in one team, a very kind Fred lent his pony to Emma to make up the team. Emma only rode Polly briefly in the collecting ring before the class, however, rider and pony both bravely did their best in the competition.

Both the 12 years and under teams did well, with Jack, Anna and Lorcan who were once again joined by Nicole Elsdon from Vale of Taf Pony Club coming a superb third against some very serious competition from some of the English Pony Clubs. Double clears went to Nicole and Trigger, Jack and Sparkle, Oliver Kent and Boscoe, and once again Anna on both her ponies Able Mable and Regency Gold.

After starting competing at 8 am it was nearly 4 pm and the weather was turning stormy by the time the team competed in the 14 years and under competition. Not surprisingly, there were some very tired riders and ponies!

As a result Jack, Anna and Lorcan were all eliminated, however, Oliver Kent and Boscoe did extremely well to record one of the few double clears in the class.

Members of South Pembrokeshire Hunt Pony Club and their parents are reminded that the branch holds its annual Christmas Show on Sunday, December 7, at Hundleton Riding Centre. Schedules are available from DC Gail Willington.