The New Zealand Pony Club 2021 Jones Contracting Eventing Championship is being hosted in Cromwell over three days this weekend beginning on Friday with the dressage division before moving onto the cross-country division on Saturday and finishing with the Show jumping and prizegiving events on Sunday.
Otago and Southland Area Pony Club will host the major event at the Cromwell Racecourse welcoming 55 riders and their horses from as far away as Auckland to be part of the annual event.
“Each year the event is hosted by a different club, it has been 15 years since it was last held in Cromwell and we are very excited to showcase Cromwell to the riders and their entourage,” says event co-ordinator and Central Otago president Geoff Hewson.
Certified cross country course builder Robin McLean has been building cross country courses internationally for over 40 years and has recently completed his last build before retirement in Cromwell.
Costing $130,000 to refurbish, the course is complete and ready to be used in the national competition this weekend.
“Although the course has been built specifically for this event, it will see us into the future helping with ongoing training and further Central Otago based events,” he adds.
Central Otago is well represented in this year’s squad and the Otago and Southland Area club welcomes spectators to come along and enjoy watching the talent of riders.
Both the cross country and show jumping events are a good watch and are something not seen everyday in the region.
The Otago and Southland Area Pony Club wish to thank all those who have supported the upgrade of the course including their many sponsors and grant agencies.
“It’s been a big effort, but we are ready to welcome riders this weekend while we host the event and showcase Cromwell.
