New Zealand equestrian Olympian Vaughn Jefferis was one of the guest coaches at the Otago Southland Area Pony Club development camp at the weekend.
The camp was held at the Gore A & P Showgrounds.
Jefferis said he did not coach much nowadays but he enjoyed coaching in the South Island.
‘‘I enjoy the southern kids more — they’re a just a bit more real.
‘‘South Island kids have got a bit more spunk and guts to them.’’
As someone who had started in the same ‘‘grassroots’’ place as the attendees, it was important to him to give back to the sport, he said.
Pony club training committee member Charlotte Young said about 100 riders aged from 6 to 25 took part in the camp.
‘‘It is quite a unique camp because riders of every level attend.’’
Attendees spent time atmodules including showjumping, games, dressage and learning how to look after a horse.
Jefferis was one of many high-quality coaches who taught at the camp, Young said.
‘‘Generally the riders that attend these camps would never have access to the level of coaching that they’re getting here.’’
