Central Canada Zone Games Championships

Teams with members of the Uxbridge-Scugog Pony Club dominated the Central Canada Zone Prince Philip/Masters Games Championships, held in Elora, Ontario on July 16.

At the A level, the Uxbridge-Scugog/Simcoe/Toronto & North York Pony Clubs “USST” team, representing the Central Ontario Region, took top spot. The members of the “USST” team are James Cruikshanks, Stephen Hall, Jane Stephenson, Emily Stubbings and Meghan Midwood. Second place went to the other Central Ontario team, the Rising Star “Sandybacks”. The members of the “Sandybacks” are Stacy Bootsma, Emily Lindsay, Jenna Messer and Chloe Raitt.  The “USST” now advance to the National Championship, to be played in Western Ontario Region on August 31-September 1, where they will compete against other Zone Champions. Western Ontario teams finished third and fourth.

At the Masters level, for older riders, the Uxbridge-Scugog “Electric Six” team finished on top. The members of the “Electric Six” team are Mori Cruikshanks, Sean Cruikshanks, Samantha Macdonald, Jessica McVittie and Jessica Lloyd. The “Electric Six” now go on to play for the National Masters Championship, to be held August 31-September 1 in Alberta North Region. The other Central Ontario Masters team, the Durham/Uxbridge-Scugog “Draters”, finished second.  The “Draters” comprise Jocelyn Donaldson, Carrie Doorenspleet, Rebecca Simmons and Amanda Treen.

At the National Championship level, all teams ride borrowed ponies, since transporting ponies across the country is impractical. Mounts are normally contributed by the host Region, but if a team from the host Region represents its Zone, its members would not be allowed to ride their own ponies in competition, as this would give them an unfair advantage over the other teams. In fact, all teams generally switch ponies after a certain number of games, often several times.

For more details e-mail Bob Inglis, Central Ontario Regional Communications Chair, or call him at 416-493-1223 (office) or 416-491-4230 (home).