Ten-year-old Nina Hiddema of Mapleton Township ranked first overall at the Aug. 19 D Rally Western Ontario Regional Canadian Pony Club event at the Caledon Hunt club.
The D Rally has 3 components of competition: dressage, stadium jumping and cross country jumping.
Hiddema beat out 18 fellow competitors with an amazing penalty points score of 40.9 for dressage and clear rounds in stadium and cross country jumping, while staying within an optimum time for the jumping portion.
Hiddema, a two-year Mill Ridge Branch member, has been riding her pony Shades of Blue (nicknamed Thomas) for four years and has competed in various regional events including tetrathalon (running, swimming, shooting an air pistol), stadium jumping and cross country jumping at the Prince Phillip Games, and most recently, the D Rally.
Canadian Pony Club is a volunteer-run organization offering educational programs, activities and competitions for young people, fostering a love for horses and Sportsmanship. The Mill Ridge branch of the Western Ontario Region draws members from Fergus, Elora, Belwood, Grand Valley, Hillsburgh, Moorefield and surrounding areas.
