Pat Randell of Canowindra is the 2016 NSW Team Yarding Champion. He took part in the NSW Team Yarding Championships held on 22nd and 23rd October at Bribbaree and won the overall high point scorer for the entire weekend to claim the championship title. Pat and his team also had the quickest time over the weekend with a 30.78 second run.

He was awarded a trophy saddle sponsored by Matthew Murray Riverina Saddlery worth $3,900. Pat has been riding for over 35 years and has been competing in the team yarding events for almost seven years. Team Yarding (or Team Penning) is a fastpaced event that gives a team of three riders on horseback 90 seconds to separate three specifically identified cattle from a mob of 21, and yarding them into a pen at the opposite end of the arena.

Parkes Pony Club members had a special Mini Olympics day on 9th October with lots of fun and games. From lead lines to the more experienced riders, the members played special mounted games like mounted ball throwing, bending races in pairs, watched a dressage display by two of the members and took part in a 9 jump showjumping course. The members also enjoyed some unmounted games during the lunch break.

Prizes were awarded for all sorts of efforts which were generously sponsored by the Parkes Farm Centre. The next rally day for the club will be on 6th November when Jennifer Woods from Cudal will do a special clinic to learn new
skills and teaching techniques. The club welcomes people to come and watch on the day from 10am. This clinic is funded by the Northparkes Mines and Sports Council grants.

The club welcomes riders of all abilities and disciplines and is looking forward to being part of the Elvis Festival for 2017, hosting a stall in Cooke Park and taking part in the parade with some very special ponies.

By Sally Chapman

Three Lachlan Dragon paddlers joined 36 other dragonboat enthusiasts from NSW at Burrendong Dam over the long weekend to be coached by renowned Canadian coach Kamini Jain. Warren and Donna Edwards and Claire Davis had a fantastic weekend with members from Dubbo, Forbes, Orange, Bathurst, Lithgow, Sydney, Wagga Wagga and Wollongong. “We were a little concerned about the weather forecast,” Donna admitted, “but were on the water by nine o’clock on Saturday morning, the waters were calm and Lake Burrendong at 126% capacity looked magnificent.”

“The afternoon paddle was smooth and surreal,” said Warren. “It was the most peaceful and relaxing feeling, with us being the only ones on the Lake, apart from the birdlife and an occasional fish breaking the calm surface.” Under Kamini’s excellent coaching the paddlers could feel their techniques improving, and each paddler’s performance
was filmed for individual evaluation and discussion.

Although this mixed bunch of paddlers had at first seemed a bit of a motley crew, by Sunday they had come to resemble something close to two professional crews paddling in harmony and rhythm across the still waters of Burrendong. “I can’t speak highly enough of the skills passed onto us by Kamini,” said Warren. “The results, by Sunday, were spectacular and I really feel that Kamini was proud of her efforts and success.”

“It was a great weekend of learning from Kamini,” agreed Claire, “as well as from each other. And it was a real joy to feel part of this group as we watched each other’s skills develop.” If you would like to be part of this great sport, you can find us on Facebook or just come and meet us on Lake Forbes at 8:15am on Sundays or 5:45pm on Thursdays.
Wear some sporting gear with old joggers or water shoes and bring your water bottle, hat, sunscreen and mozzierepellent. We’ll supply you with a paddle, a buddy to sit with in the boat, and some good friendly company.

By Beth Thomas