AQHA November / December 2019 Magazine AQHA NOV-DEC 2019 PRINT (2) | Page 24

AQHA FEATURE
PG.22
SMA
TA
TRANS
ARTICLE BY: CAROL RICKETTS - MANAGER TT 2019 / PHOTOS BY: AQHA
A great start to TT 2019, we all made our flights to Lake Taupo and left no one
behind. Cold “YES” especially for those of us who travelled from Queensland.
W
We are use to warmer weather.
e arrived in Lake Taupo on Sunday
afternoon the 29th September and then
travelled by car to our accommodation.
Two lovely B & B’s. Amateurs in one and
Youth in the other.
Annie Boyd went shopping to buy groceries for the week
and Annie and the other Amateurs provided us with some
great meals.
Monday - we experienced the Aratitia Dam spill gates
being opened. The Waikato River (Waikato Te Awa), after
passing Huka Falls 6km upstream, naturally falls 28 metres
in the space of 1 km. Amazing to watch.
Monday in the afternoon we drove to the National
Equestrian Centre to meet up with the NZ Teams and
take part in the draw for our Teams horses and Gift Giving
on the Monday evening at dinner. Janette Robinson, New
Zealand Quarter Horse President, is a great chef, home
made fresh ciabatta rolls every day!
Tuesday -  time with  our horses and for the coaches to
make decisions on which rider to team up with which
horse and then clinics with Alex Ross, USA.
Wednesday and Thursday morning followed the same
schedule as Tuesday.
Thursday afternoon the show began with Ranch Riding.
This was the only class on this day. Friday - Show Day.
Saturday - majority of the group set off for home whilst a
few went sightseeing for a few days before heading home
at a later date.
Our Aussie youth brought home the gold and the
Australian Amateur team fought hard but were defeated
by one point. The many supporters that accompanied
the Teams to NZ, were great, helping when asked. To the
many sponsors of Trans Tasman 2019, we thank you, as
this trip would not have been as successful without your
sponsorship. F  
AUSTRALIAN QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION - WWW.AQHA.COM.AU