March Newsletter 2025

THE AUSTRALIAN TENTPEGGING ASSOCIATION INC.
NEWSLETTER

APRIL 2025

Message from the President – Arthur De Main
Hi Tent Peggers,
Well what an interesting and diverse year for our sport last year, we had a bit of everything, some things we don’t need a repeat of, so best wishes go out to Mathew and Libby on their roads to recovery, and a big shout out to you all, as it was great to get around to most of the competitions last year and catch up with some old colleagues and meet some of our new members.
My apologies for not making it down to the Victorian Championships as it ended up a bridge just to far, my tenure as the Chief Judge of the Australian Light Horse Association came to an end at the last directors meeting when the majority of the board decided that the association no longer required that position, so my obligation to attend and judge their events no longer exists, which will free up some more time for me to concentrate on my commitment to tent pegging in this country.
New South Wales Championship must go down in our history as one of the best run, best supported, best venue and best catered for event for a long time, my challenge to you this year is to see if someone can come close to replicating what was a fantastic weekend of pegging.
At our most recent board meeting we have agreed to invite a Ladies Team from South Africa to come down under and compete here and we would like to put out an expression of interest to send a junior team to South Africa to compete latter on in the year in South Africa, so juniors start talking to the bank of Mun & Dad. Both events will provide an opportunity for some of our members to represent Australia at the highest level of international competition.
At the conclusion of the New South Wales Championship, I spoke about our association’s membership, so I want to revisit that topic and encourage every member to work towards recruiting at least one new member each, this year, into our sport.
My vision is to also continue to foster a mutual relationship with other equine associations and groups to support and grow our association.
I had on my bucket list for 2025 to attend this year’s premier event the Sydney Royal Easter Show, unfortunately I have been sidelined with a medical issue which is now been resolved and is behind me, I am ok and recovering after surgery but travelling is out for me for a little while, I will be good to go latter on in the year so looking forward to seeing as many of you as l can at the various state championships and international events.

Arthur De Main OAM President
Australian Tent Pegging Association 28 March 2025

International Teams and Events
As mentioned in Arthur’s report we are hoping to be in contact with South Africa to organise a Women’s team (possibly to compete here in Australia) and a Junior team (possibly to compete in South Africa). Once we have heard back from South Africa and things are in place we will be calling for expressions of interest. We have to clarify the age for the Juniors.
World Cup qualifiers – The ITPF are still calling for nominations from countries to hold qualifying events, at this stage it is unknown what country we would be allocated to go to. Expressions of interest have not yet been called for until things are sorted out with the ITPF. Will keep you informed as the information comes to hand.

2025 TENTPEGGING RESULTS
Glen Innes Show – February 2025
1st Tamworth 2nd Lighthorse 3rd Gunnedah
Individual – Victor Collette (Lighthorse)
Junior Riders – 1st Bronte Roser and 2nd Max Collette

Canberra Royal Show – Unfortunately, Tentpegging was not included in the 2025 Show Schedule.

Maitland Show – February 2025 Unfortunately due to the lack of numbers and a clash of dates with Glen Innes Show this was a demonstration only. Thanks to Jamie Bannister and the Maitland team for their organisation.

Newcastle Show – March 2025
1st Tamworth 2nd Maitland

3rd Hunter Valley
Individual – Bryson Roser (Tamworth)

Muswellbrook Show – March 2025 Unfortunately due to the timing no teams were available to attend Muswellbrook

Sydney Royal Easter Show – April 2025
Best of luck to the five teams competing at Sydney this year. Gunnedah, Light Horse, Maitland, Northeast Victoria and Tamworth

PEOPLE IN OUR SPORT
Darrell Clibborn from Glen Innes – It was great to catch up with Darrell and see that he was looking well. Well, enough to Judge at the Glen Innes Show and give the riders a hard time. For those who don’t know Darrell has been unwell for some time.

Get well wishes are extended to our President Arthur De Main who had a short stint in hospital recently.

Our condolences go out to Warren Bramley (Gunnedah) and his family with the recent death of his son.

REMINDER TO TENTPEGGERS
Please make sure that you notify the ATA Secretary of any upcoming events, training days etc. so we can let our members know what is going on.

YOUR ATA COMMITTEE FOR 2025
President Arthur De Main
Vice President Bruce Smit
Vice President Steven Craig
Secretary Barry Biffin
Treasurer Aedan Staats/Christine Staats
State Representatives:
Victoria Donna Davidson
Queensland Bruce Smith
NSW Scott Miller

ATA Selection Panel:
Arthur De Main, Bruce Smith and Jake Van Dorssen Public Officer Judith Biffin
Publicity Officer Rainer White
Grader Casey McIntyre
If you have any thing that you wish to discuss or thoughts on promoting Tentpegging please contact one of your committee members.

UP COMING EVENTS
Queensland Championships 30th and 31st August Pittsworth Showgrounds Pittsworth
Australian Championships 16th August and 17th August Gilgandra Showgrounds Gilgandra
Victorian Championships 20th and 21st September Yarrawonga Showground Yarrawonga
NSW Championships TBA – the secretary NSW would like to receive nominations to host this event

These dates are subject to change.
Members are encouraged to support all these upcoming events. Each State go to a lot of effort to make sure we have competitions, and we need to attend where possible.

Members are asked to send through an email to the Secretary ATA advising their intensions to attend what Championships so each State can be given an idea on team numbers.