15.2 GREAT SOUTHERN ZONE AGM REPORT Once again the Zone was most fortunate in securing another year’s funding from the Department of Sport and Recreation as part of the Regional Organisational Sustainability Program. This funding has helped the Zone with the following activities: • funded attendance at the State Coaching School 2015 • organising Run-offs for State Show Jumping and Dressage Championships • holding Zone competitions (host clubs are allowed to retain surplus funds) for Games, Show Jumping and Eventing • help fund external coaches to compliment the good work done by our volunteer coaches • purchasing Coaching Workbooks. The relatively new E Level Certificate is proving popular with our younger riders. The workbooks (manuals) still need a bit more promotion at club level (one of my task for 2016). King River hosted the Zone ODE and for many on the organising side of things it was a new experience but this is the way clubs can build depth and prevent “volunteer burnout”. King River also hosted the dressage Run-Offs. Many of our Associate riders are busy with study and or work and some of our riders at the State Championships were new to this level of competition but you have to start somewhere. Thank you to Catlin Pritchard, Jana Kirek, Kiarra Putland, Brittany Hoveler, Rachael O’Meara (all King River) and Bethany Rainbow (Albany). Bethany won the OTT prize for the second year running. How’s that for consistency? Again we had relatively small numbers at the State Showjumping Championship. Kojonup members deserve a special mention with their second placing in the Solargain Jumping Bursary - well done Claire Harcourt-Smith, Bella Rae, Annabelle and Kate Trezise. Another pair of sisters: Satika and Kirra Putland (King River) along with Victoria Squire (West Plantagenet) put up a credible performance in the Brigid Woss Equitation (plus Lizzie Craine from Orange Grove). Amy Kennedy (Albany) was delighted with Timely Reign in the 80cm classes. West Plantagenet riders Natasha Verazzi and Edwina Squire were our representatives at the State Eventing Championships. Harriet Presser-Jones and Kate Trezise both made it to the Eventing Leadership Board. Highlight of the year for Victoria Squire (West Plantagenet) was representing WA as part of the Showjumping and Senior Tetrathlon teams with these teams coming second and first respectively. Well done Tori. Kojonup has gone from strength to strength with a very vibrant group of supporters. Their ODE was very well attended although at one stage all the local ambulances were deployed - nothing serious though. West Plantagenet conducted their traditional Easter School with riders enjoying a busy and educational 3 days - the club house oven catching fire created a certain amount of excitement and has since been replaced. The club also ran a generously sponsored Showjumping Series. Katanning took up the offer of partnering with a Metro sister club and have had the Baldivis experience, coming back with lots of new ideas for rallies. The joint Albany/King River rally again was a fun affair as it was run as a mini Trek competition with riders completing a handy pony/x-country course, a mini orienteering phase and control of paces (fast walk/slow canter - more difficult than it looked). Great fun for all, and that’s what Pony Club is all about. My thanks to all the volunteers in the Great Southern Region, to hard working Committee members and to the support and advice form Head Office. Best wishes for a tremendous 2016. J Denise Legge Zone Coach Coordinator 30
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