The Central Ontario Region of the Canadian Pony Club will stage its Regional Show Jumping Finals at Springfield Stables Riding Academy near Brooklin this coming Sunday, September 19. 30 young riders from nine Branches - Brooklin, Centaurus, Durham, Kawartha, King, Maple, Rising Star, Uxbridge-Scugog and Victoria - have competed in several shows, starting in June, to qualify for these finals.

The higher show jumping classes - Entry, Starter, Beginner, Novice, Intermediate and Advanced - compete in three classes each: a medal class, a Table AM5 single round plus jump-off, and a power and speed round, to determine a Champion and a Reserve in each division. The single round plus jump-off is the type of competition most often televised, and will be familiar to anyone interested in show jumping. Medal classes involve judgement of the riders' equitation skills, not the horse or pony, in two phases - over fences and "on the flat". The power and speed class consists of two phases, run without interruption, the finish line of the first, "power" phase being the start line for the second, "speed" phase. Only those who complete the first phase without penalties are allowed to go on to the second phase. Many of Canada's international show jumpers got their starts in shows like this.

The show will also include non-championship classes for younger riders, who will ride a warm-up round followed by a Table AM5 single round plus jump-off and a medal class.

Course designer for this show is Juan Ortiz, a member of the Venezuelan national show jumping team, who will be competing at the World Equestrian Games September 25-October 10. He has generously offered a private lesson as the grand prize in a draw to be held at this show.

Pony Club is an international organization to promote riding and horsemanship skills among young people. In addition to show jumping and dressage, there is also competition in mounted games, rallies (which include dressage, cross-country and stadium jumping, plus stable management competition), tetrathlon (which includes swimming, shooting, cross-country riding, stadium jumping and cross-country running by the riders) as well as academic competition in quiz format.

Springfield Stables are at 7143 Ashburn Road in Brooklin. The show starts at 8:00 am and continues through the day. Spectators are welcome without charge but please, no dogs.

For more details e-mail Bob Inglis, Central Ontario Regional Communications Chair, or call him at 416-493-1223 (office) or 416-491-4230 (home).