South Island champs a generational affair

THERE is no partisanship for a national showjumping judge with five grandchildren competing in this year’s South Island Pony Club Show Jumping Championships.

That is because the events, which were hosted in Waimate on Tuesday and yesterday, were judged based on measurements taken by an electronic sensor, Peter Jarvis said.

Jarvis became involved with the sport 30 years ago when his three children joined the Springston Pony Club in Christchurch, where he became a nationally registered showjumping judge, a course builder and acted as the Springston Pony Club’s president.

His enjoyment was what kept him going with the sport — that and his grandchildren.

It would be nice to be here for the greatgrandchildren, he said.

A love for the pony club runs not only in Jarvis’ family, but also that of event organiser and subcommittee chair Maureen Chamberlain.

Chamberlain had been a part of the pony club world for much of her life, first as a girl and again when her daughter joined the Waimate club 30 years ago.

Since joining, Chamberlain has worn many hats.

She acted as club manager, head coach, subcommittee chairwoman for the championships and national showjumping judge.

But she had a tough year organising the event — most of which was done at the last minute because of Covid19 related delays.

Of the many elements needed to set the event up for success, prize ribbon printing had been put on hold and most of the six judges were only lined up the week before.

Before the show could even go ahead, Chamberlain had to confirm at least 23 teams would enter the competition to break even financially.

But pony clubs proved to be just as interested as ever and 30 teams has entered by last October.

Teams came from all over the South Island, some travelling for as long as 10 hours to attend the championship.

Chamberlain said Waimate’s central location made it the ideal place to host the competition.

‘‘It’s a huge event and one of the only championships the teams can go to.’’

Next year’s event would be held in Eyreton, Christchurch.

PHOTO: RUBY HEYWARD Five trick pony . . . National showjumping judge Peter Jarvis is flanked by his five grandchildren (from left) Toby (13) and Sonya (15) Benison, Katherine Hadler (17), and siblings Gemma (15) and Georgia (12) Lewis who are all entered in this year’s South Island Pony Club Show Jumping Championships in Waimate.