Newspaper article on six teams of pony club members from different countries visited Otaki:
Six teams of pony club members from six different countries visited Otaki last weekend when Otaki Pony Club members entertained them for a luncheon at Otaki racecourse while they were en route to the South Island.
The teams were representatives of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Japan and a combination from Singapore and Hong Kong. They had already been in New Zealand for a fortnight and had visited several North Island pony club centres. They still have to visit the South Island to go to Blenheim, Kaikoura and Christchurch where they will compete next Saturday.
Members of the local pony club served luncheon at the racecourse and the president Mr. W. Wright invited Mr. G. Wehipeihana, Kuku to tender them a Maori welcome on behalf of both the pony club and the Otaki Maori Racing Club.
The Australian team manager, Mr. G. Cross replied on behalf of the visitors.
The selection of the 36 competitors was made in each country as much for the potential of the team as ambassadors of their country as for their prowess on horseback, a local official told The Chronicle. All the visitors are between the ages of 16 and 20 years.
On Saturday they took part in a Manawatu Hunt Club meeting at Wirokino near Levin and wherever they compete they will be doing so on strange horses made available to them by pony club members.
It is no mean feat to get a horse to do the rider’s bidding at such short acquaintance and the master of the hunt Mr. Barry Mansell described the
Visitors as a terrific bunch of riders who achieved a very high standard of riding.
In his welcome delivered both in Maori and in English, Mr. Wehipeihana described the history of the Maori people and particularly local history from the founding of the Rangiatea Church by the famous war lord of the last century who was one of his ancestors, Te Rauparaha. During his address Mr. Wehipeihana and his son Ruihi gave a Maori chant.
Later visitors were able to see Rangiatea Church where an elder of the church Mr. Muri Winiata told the group of the original establishment of the church and the construction of the monument to Te Rauparaha. The party left soon afterwards to catch the inter-island ferry.
Top photo: When the Australian pony clubs team manager, Mr. George Cross (right) replied on behalf of visiting teams to a welcome given by Mr. Garry Wehipeihana, he was surprised to receive the Maori greeting or hongi from Mr. Wehipeihana, whose son joined his father in a Maori chant.
Bottom photo: Otaki Pony Club members entertained representatives of six countries to luncheon at Otaki racecourse on Sunday. From left back row are past president of the pony club, and life member, Mr. T.R. Pettifer and Mr. W. Wright. In front row are Mrs. Toshiko-Kawaminami wife of the manager of the Japanese team; Miss Gillian Jarrett (South Australia) and Mrs. Ruth Cross, Geelong (wife of the manager of the Australian team).
