Wamboin riders travelled to the Michelago Sporting Spectacular held at Bredbo on 3rd & 4th February for a fun weekend of sporting and games. Riders who competed were:
Craig & Gabrielle Simpkin; Jacinta, Ally, Jack and Charlie Durr (with Greg & Tracey taking turn to lead); Katie, Lauren & Penny Slater; and Nicole Smith.
Everyone agreed that it was a great weekend, well run by the Michelago club and to everyone's surprise there are quite a lot of interesting places to visit in Bredbo. The swim in the Murrumbidgee River was a highlight, as was the local singing talent at the Bredbo Pub as well as the band that came to the grounds to perform on Saturday night.
There were a total of 97 competitors from as far away as Wellington (NSW not NZ), Molong, Cobargo, Forest Hills, Shoalhaven and Stoney Ridge, as well as riders from Cooma and many Zone 16 clubs. In all there were 17 sporting events, some of which none of the riders had ever seen before, so the double chance option was great as you could have two runs at each event.
One highlight was the Flag Spectacular, which saw the fastest 30 riders in the flag race from the Saturday age groups ride off in 6 heats to find the 5 fastest riders for the final. It was great to watch some really good riders and their horses battle it out ....AND the winner was our very own Katie Slater, riding Tia. Congratulations Katie!!! The Mayor of Cooma was at the grounds to present Katie with the "Man from Snowy River" medallion.
On Sunday, the highpoint champions were decided by the last 7 events, and Wamboin riders were again on the winner's podium - Craig Simpkin, Penny Slater, Lauren Slater & Nicole Smith won there respective age divisions. Nicole managed to score a record 84 points out of a possible 85, her rival of old Lianda Plath (Michelago) held on to the fastest time in the barrel race in their age group.
AND..........to top it all off, the Wamboin Team of Katie, Penny & Lauren Slater, Nicole Smith & Ally Durr retained the Team Trophy - the Clear View Range Trophy, so it will grace the Wamboin Pony Club Trophy cabinet for another year. And I guess that means they will have to venture out again next year to defend it!!!! Think about coming next year everyone - it was a great weekend!
