Wairarapa’s locally owned community newspaper
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2022
INSIDE: Proactive suppor t for local parents P4
P24
To the skies! ARE YOU A VIP CUSTOMER? Read ‘Garden Yarn’ on Page 9 to find out if you’re one of our winners
2 x $25 GARDENBARN VOUCHERS TO BE WON EACH DAY
Richmond Funeral Home ~Incorporating Clareville Crematorium
‘Serving Southern Wairarapa families for over 40 years’ Phone: (06) 3797616
www.richmondfuneralhome.co.nz Peter & Jenny Giddens Facilities in Carterton and Featherston Tried, Trusted and Proven
FLAIR FOR ALL YOUR FLOORING NEEDS See our advert in Wairarapa Property 97-101 High St North, Carterton Ph 06 379 4055
Back in the saddle Erin Kavanagh-Hall
erin.kavanagh-hall@age.co.nz
When Alexandria Anstis was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia at age two, her parents had no idea what the future would hold for their “little poppet”. Now 14, Alex – still nicknamed “Poppet” by her family – is not only a picture of health but has emerged as one of Wairarapa’s top young sportswomen – soon to represent the region on the world stage. Alex has been selected for the Under 18 New Zealand mounted games team – which will compete at the World Mounted Games Team Championships, held in France this July. Once the competition wraps, she will only have a short time to rest and recuperate before heading to Ireland for the World Pairs Championships, scheduled just a week later. While in Europe, Alex will be up against riders from 25 different countries, competing in tests of dexterity, precision, horsemanship and pure athleticism. Mounted games are a relatively new discipline within equestrian, created with input by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in 1950s England to cater to lower income riders. At a mounted games competition, riders complete a
Alex competes in a game called Association – where players have to collect ice cream containers filled with sand from the back of their pony.
range of fast-paced tasks – to showcase agility and hand-eye coordination – and navigate various obstacles from the back of a cantering pony. Alex qualified for the World Championships after competing in a national trial event last year – placing in the Top 6 and winning a coveted spot in the New Zealand squad. As one of the youngest competitors, only 13 at the time, she entered the trial as the underdog, up against “a high calibre” of older, more experienced riders. “There was a bit of pressure going into it – but I think I play best under pressure,” the St
Matthew’s student said. “That was definitely the best competition I’ve ever ridden in. I only made about five mistakes. “I was going up against some great riders – so it feels really cool to have made it.” Mum Louise Hight, who will travel with Alex to Europe, wasn’t surprised by her daughter’s success: having survived an aggressive, sometimes deadly form of cancer, her Poppet is no stranger to beating the odds. “We’re really proud of how much she’s overcome, and to see her doing so well at what she loves,” Louise said.
Alexandria Anstis remounts her pony Chance during a mounted games event. PHOTOS/ALEX NAERA EQUESTRIAN PHOTOS
Continued on page 4
NZ New, Late Model, Low KM’s Buying Now top $$ paid
GET AN APPRAISAL TODAY
HONDA AND NISSAN SALES SERVICES AND PARTS
Cnr Park & Dixon Sts, Masterton
Ph (06) 378-2543 www.southey.co.nz
