Event Reports.
Fun cones competition, Sun 6th December 2009.
BDS Area 56 (MEWales)
Fun cones competition, Sun 6th December 2009, Penybont, Powys.
On an unusually dry & clear December morning, competitors awaited the set-up of a fun cones competition, and Mike Davies collected a lorry-load of ponies & vehicles.
Liam Daly & Erinna Rogers (with helpers Tanya Rogers & Philip Harries) set-up a course of cones with the aim of being a confidence-giver to ponies new to cones, whilst also testing the more experienced. The course included a variety of turns, a slalom, and balls on cones – which, if knocked-off, would add five seconds to the time.
Competitors included:
Jackie & Roger Cartwright driving Black&White cob stallion Toto, to a 4-wheel pleasure vehicle, first time around cones.
Doreen & Karen Holsby (& little James) driving Gemstone Evan to a 2-wheel Bennington Buccaneer, also first time around cones.
Andrew & Jackie Bevan both having a go driving their new youngster Caermynys Jack to a 2-wheel Hillam exercise vehicle, also Jack’s first time seeing cones.
Rhian Ralph & Anthea Birch practising smart Toddy around the cones with a 2-wheel exercise vehicle — 12 year old Rhian driving the whole course in coachman hand! Anthea (with helpers Brian & Rhian’s mum) also led and long-reined 4yr old Bertie to give him some experience.
Erinna Rogers & Liam Daly driving Mike’s Twm to a Polish 4-wheel marathon vehicle.
Nikki & Chris Lang both driving Bonmarsh Little Secret (aka Bonkers Conkers!) to a home-designed 2-wheel exercise vehicle — and what a ‘little secret’ this 23 year old was!
and finally, Tanya Rogers & Liam Daly taking a leisurely route around with Mike’s ever-reliable Twm.
Competitors had several chances to practise – especially good for those ponies that had not seen a cone before! Then competitors had two rounds, with best time counting.
Times & points were measured by Tanya & Mike, with keen spectators Mark Davies, Stef Price & Philip Harries watching the competitors test the course.
The close results were:
1st (1min04.31sec) Andrew Bevan with 5 yr old Caermynys Jack (new to cones) — winning a BDS prize.
2nd (1min05.72sec) Nikki Lang with Bonkers Conkers (well-known to cones and, although small & 23years, only just pipped-at-the-post by new-comer Jack!)
3rd (1min07.47sec) Doreen Holsby with little Gemstone Evan (also new to cones)
4th (1min13.00sec) Jackie Bevan with youngster Caermynys Jack
5th (1min13.18sec) Chris Lang with little Bonkers Conkers
6th (1min13.56sec) Erinna Rogers with Mike’s Twm
7th (1min18.12sec) Jackie Cartwright with Toto (new to cones)
8th (1min31.04sec) Tanya Rogers with Mike’s Twm
With a round-up of prize giving & mulled wine (thank you Jackie!), competitors felt the venue was good as it had hard-surface parking a building large enough for both a waiting/warm-up area and competition area. Competitors & spectators are looking forward to having a go again next time!
(report & photos Tan Rogers)
For more images Click Here.