East and Bays Courier article written by Lauren Priestley – January 2014
Horses will have more space to stretch their legs thanks to a dressage arena extension at Meadowbank Pony Club.
The arena was officially opened by Auckland District Pony Club commissioner Lorna Stewart on Thursday.
Club President Keryl Cunningham says the pony club members are excited about the opportunities the new facility opens up.
“We’re so fortunate to be able to use this land in Auckland city and now to have this as part of it as well – it’s just wonderful. It provides a resource for our riders and also for the wider community.”
Danielle Bergin from Island Child Charitable Trust did the project management for the extension and says it has been a long time coming.
She started riding at the club 30 years ago as a youngster and has always been “pony-mad”, she says.
Since she started, the club has had two 40m by 20m dressage arenas. The size needed for most dressage tests now is 60m by 20m, she says.
“The larger arena will really, really help. It’s a small community club but it’s really a credit to everyone who is involved. Riding is a brilliant discipline to learn – it’s about concentration while also being fun and teaching compassion.”
The club received a grant from the ASB Community Trust and Four Winds Foundation toward the $27,000 extension.
