NZCCA COWBOY CHALLENGE

Cowboy Challenge is a competition that is designed to test the partnership of horse and rider through negotiating a series of obstacles on horseback. The sport came to us from the USA, and Cowboy Challenge has been embraced by New Zealand riders as it fits right in with this country's love of fun and adventurous sports.

Riders complete a timed course with thirteen obstacles (out of a possible seventy-plus) and are judged on performance and horsemanship. The obstacles vary from opening a gate to riding through creeks, backing up hills, and crossing bridges, representing things that take place when out riding in the backcountry.

Competitors start in the Rookie Division (or Youth for eighteen years and under), then progress to Intermediate and Open, and are judged as a horse and rider combination for placings. Once a combination reaches a certain number of points they progress to the next division, this can occur over several seasons as progress in horsemanship is made. Western saddles are not a requirement until you reach the Intermediate Class. For the 2022/2023 season, Francine Murray and her horse Mozzie received the Strolla Trophy. This is based on receiving the highest horsemanship scores received at Challenges nationally over the season. The trophy is dedicated to Jim Risk's horse Strolla who sadly died in the 2018 flooding on the West Coast. Jim is eighty-plus and is a loyal and dedicated Cowboy Challenge competitor. The Trophy is made of Strolla's shoes. Francine has won this trophy three times showing what a talented rider she is. She was also Runner-up for Hi Points in both Rookie on Little Red River and Open Division on Mozzie, a fantastic accomplishment. This season there was a new award in memory of Cara Scott. This is a very special trophy, as it is awarded to encourage and promote Rookie competitors. The recipient this year was, another local, Jan Curle on Remembrance. Two local companies, Curle Contracting and Property Management, Darfield Property Brokers, are major sponsors of the buckles and horse covers. To encourage youths into the sport there is a Youth Scholarship available each year. Full details on any of the above are available on newzealandcowboychallenge.com

Anyone keen to have a go and find out what it entails are encouraged to attend one of the training days, which are held throughout Canterbury. You will find the details on the Facebook page for Pleasant Valley Cowboy Challenge, Five Manes Horsemanship and Oxford Cowboy Challenge. The latter is holding a training morning followed by a beginner’s competition on May 27th. The jotform for entry is on the Oxford Cowboy Challenge Facebook page.

Born and raised in West Melton, Sam Dickson, Captain of the All Blacks Sevens is extremely proud of the team having won the Men’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series title in Toulouse. The extra-time 24-19 win over Argentina in the Toulouse final also secured their fourteenth World Sevens Series crown.

“I am super proud of the boys! To win five finals and be in seven out of ten finals is an amazing achievement, with one tournament to go. Especially, given how competitive the World

Series is,” commented Sam proudly.

“We have used every player that has been available in our squad this year, so it shows how much depth we have at the moment. Everyone involved have been working hard since the Tokyo Olympics to build such a strong player, ground and management team.

“The goal at the start of the season was to win the World Series and qualify for the Olympics. We have achieved both with one tournament to spare.

“For us and the Black Fern Sevens to bounce back from a few disappointing results last year shows how much love we have for our teams and country. We are both in great positions leading into the 2024 season and the Olympics,” Sam concluded.

To keep up-to-date with the latest news visit: www.allblacks.com/

Dhs Annual Careers Expo

Darfield High School (DHS) students, along with whānau and friends, made the most of their opportunity to engage with more than twenty five tertiary education and vocational providers from around New Zealand at the annual DHS Careers Expo on Tuesday, May 9th.

“It was great to have some exciting new providers on board this year, including Fonterra and Road Metals, all helping to offer a range of learning opportunities that have encouraged our students to broaden their minds and think beyond the obvious about their futures and how they can acquire, experience, qualifications and scholarships,” commented DHS Careers Administrator, Tracy Mangels

Representatives of the providers were very complimentary about the quality of DHS student's participation, interest and questions. It was obvious that students were getting the information and answers they needed to provide clarity on their chosen or intended path, what to expect, and how to go about obtaining their career and vocational goals. For others, it was the chance to see what options there are given the greater variety of providers present, leading to students coming away with invaluable information for their next steps at school and beyond.

Darfield High School would sincerely like to thank the providers for their positive contribution to their student's learning, development and potential.

The DHS Careers team are always available for further conversations around options and pathway choices, email to careers@darfield.school.nz with questions, or to arrange a meeting.

Cooking Demo

Join chef Lauren Carmichael from Langdale Restaurant and a group of local Selwyn producers for a live cooking demonstration that will feature local Selwyn ingredients, on Friday, May 26th.

This Taste Selwyn R18 event also includes Wine Divine who will be pairing local wines to the dishes that Lauren creates with wine tasting for attendees on the night.

All produce used at the demonstration can be purchased at the event directly from the producers and you will be able to take home a recipe so you can create the dishes at home.

Goodie bags will be given out with great giveaways. .

To find out further information, including cost and time etc visit: selwyn.nz/events

Cpwl Environmental Management Fund

2023 funding applications are now being accepted. This fund was established to enhance the natural environment of the Selwyn Te Waihora catchment. Please see CPWL’s website: www.cpwl.co.nz or email emf@cpwl.co.nz for further information. Applications close at 5pm Friday 30 June 2023.

Classes for all forage crops and pasture

Judging 7th & 8th June

Meal & Prizegiving

Thursday 8th June, 7pm - New VenueGrain and Grape Darfield

ENTRIES CLOSE MONDAY 5TH JUNE

$20 per entry

• Ashley Seaton 027 463 5184

• Guy Bassett 021 318 366

Darfield Gun Club Update

The May 7th shoot at Darfield Gun Club saw a change in weather this month, with dull, grey conditions, but thankfully no wind. There was a good turnout for what is usually a quiet month with the start of Duck Shooting, with thirty three shooters, including ten Juniors, arriving to contest the Hastie Trophy. The short 4 x 15 target match format, comprised of 15 single rise, 15 single barrell, 15 point score and 15 continental. A good start was required, and there were some very good scores right from the beginning. Bragging rights for the day fell to Hamish Wilson, although just a single target separated him from Paul Templeton. There was only one shoot-off required for B Grade, with the second and third tied placings deciding the result with a gentlemanly coin toss.

Results:

Hastie Trophy (over the full day):

HOA:

Hamish Wilson 89/90 (A Grade)

B Grade: Mike Elliot 83

C Grade: Sam Nichol (J) 79

Meat Trophies Combined Shoot

Rounds 2, 3 and 4:

A Grade:

1st: H Wilson 74/75

2nd: P Templeton 73

3rd: D Jefferis 71

B Grade:

1st: W Hill 69

2nd: G Watson 68, R Wright 68

C Grade:

1st: S Nichol 79

2nd: AJ Seymour 62

3rd: N Watts 61

The next shoot will take place on Sunday, June 4th, at 12.30pm. Everyone is welcome. Bevan Brown, Shoot Secretary and Publicity Officer.

End Of Season

It was a glorious Autumn day on May 13th, for the closing day of the 2022/23 Malvern Rifle Club season.

The weather was cool and fine, with a fishtailing headwind from targets to the mounds. A small group of shooters arrived for some long range practice and testing at 900 yards.

A rifle was zeroed at 300 yards before shooters shot from the 900 yard mound. Martin Fleming travelled up from the Ashburton district to get some long range practice, which paid off, as his scores got better each time he shot. Our club season has finished, with prizegiving and the AGM still to follow.

Thanks to everyone who took part, especially those who helped set up and pack up the range and equipment. The Club would also like to thank Chris Kershaw and Allan White, for all the work done behind the scenes, and Charlie Ledbrook for all the maintenance work on the range. It is greatly appreciated.

The 2023/24 Malvern Rifle Club season will open in October, with an extra focus on providing training opportunities for our club members who will be representing New Zealand at the 2024 World Championships. Half (4 of 8) of the New Zealand Under 25 Target Rifle Team are members of the Malvern Rifle Club, with most of them and others being members of the New Zealand Palma Rifle Team. On behalf of the Malvern Rifle Club, I wish everyone a warm, dry and safe winter.

Contact details can be found on their Facebook page: Malvern Rifle Club Mark Alexander.

Golf Results

Hororata Golf

Results 9th May 2023

Captains Trophy Qualifying Round 2

LGU and Putting

0 - 18.4: N Muir 71

18.5 - 25.2 - Bronze: S Gilmore 75

J Wilson 76

25.3+: G Redfern 76

Putts: A Hariwich 27 (11x1 putts)

Closest to the Pin: N Muir

Men: N Penney 30 A Hogg 26

Waimak Golf

Results 11th May ‘23 LGU & Putting 18 Holes:

Seniors: N Weavers c/b J Collins

Bronze 1: B Thompson +2.5 M TeAwa +9.5

Bronze 2: J Deans 0.5 S King +9.5

F Nimmo +9.5

V McKenzie +11.5

S Farrar +11.5

Nearest to Pin for 2, #4: J Blatch

Nearest to Pin for 1, #8: J Blatch

Nearest to Pin for 2, #11: N Weavers

Nearest to Pin for 1, #17: J Collins

Longest Putt, #18: S King

Two’s: B Faulkner, B Thompson

9 Holes:

B Faulkner +3.0

Gee Gee Jar: J Blatch

Putts, 18 Holes: B Thompson 28

9 Holes: B Faulkner 19

SATURDAY

3RD JUNE 2023 at 9:30am in the Clubhouse. Enquiries to: Marian Galloway 03 318 1588

ALL WELCOME!

Sheffield FREE BOOK EXCHANGE

Be at the Sheffield Hall on SUNDAY 21ST MAY 2023 12 - 3pm For the community book exchange!

AUTOMOTIVE

DARFIELD Automotive, service & warrant centre. 3D wheel aligner. 7:30am - 5:30pm, Monday - Friday. Your onestop auto shop! Please phone 03 318 8113.

CARPET

NEED carpet? Go local! Very competitive pricing, seldom beaten. 30 years servicing this area. In home sample service, also repairs and installations. Please phone Alan Roberts 021 227 2080.

Accountants

ARE you wasting your valuable time trying to keep up with accounts? Call us now for hassle-free accounting, tax and business advice - right on your doorstep. Sterling Accountants @ Malvern Business Hub, Ann-Maree 021 215 0981.

Celebrant Celebrant

Wedding Celebrant 0274323360

jobabenz8@gmail.com www.jobabecelebrant.co.nz

For your personalised wedding ceremony

Church Notices

Darfield Life Church

Church Notices

Sunday 21st May 2023

At 10:30am

Steve & Patience Pona

Ph: 022 642 5805

17 North Terrace, Darfield

CHIMNEY CLEANING

CARRS Chimney Cleaning. Servicing the Selwyn district. $70 per chimney. Please ph Rodney on 03 324 2999 and leave a message.

CATS on Courtenay Boutique Boarding Cattery!

• Purpose built, nestled in a tranquil, rural setting.

• Close proximity to all main centres.

Phone: 027 433 3564 www.catsoncourtenay.nz Check us out on Facebook! ‘CATS

CHIM Chim. We'll sweep your log-burners flue, check the firebricks, baffles, air-tubes and controls. We're experts on coal-ranges, also sweeping any sized open fire. We quote and undertake repairs, flue extensions and install bird netting. Please phone us on 021 939 113.

For Sale

LUCERNE hay. Conventional bales. $10. Good quality but stalky. Shed stored. Kirwee area. Ph 318 1964.

PEASTRAW for sale. Small bales $8 delivered (min delivery 21 bales). Medium bales $80 delivered (no min for delivery). Ph 021 077 3692.

MOBILITY Scooter, 18 months old, used for 9 months, as new. $2,800. Please phone 027 265 7787.

Driveways

LIFESTYLE , farm tracks, yards and dairy lanes our speciality. Screened rottenrock, it’s local and lasts better. Phone Springfield Quarry on 318 4132.

Gardening

GARDENING, handyman. All jobs considered. Interior and exterior. Please phone 021 207 0532.

GENERAL garden maintenance in Darfield area. Domestic hedge trimming, pruning & edging. Please phone Kane 027 467 6613.

House To Let

HOUSE to 2 bdrm, $550 pw, off street parking, rural West Melton, grazing available, available from 7th June. Ph 022 680 8863.

21st

1st - 31st May Taste Selwyn - visit www.selwyn.nz/taste

22nd

WOOD shavings - untreated, clean shavings suitable for horse stables, calving sheds, chicken houses and rabbit hutches. Available in 70L bags, 1m 3 bales (compressed) and bulk delivery. Please phone 021 243 8378 for more details.

FIREWOOD & COAL

Bowling Club Clubhouse

5th June Malvern & Courtenay A & P Winter Feed Competition Entries close

June Malvern & Courtenay A & P Winter Feed Competition Judging

PAINTING & DECORATING

PAINTING & DECORATING

Udi Painting & Decorating

For all Painting and Decorating services!

Interior & Exterior Painting & Plastering

Fully Qualified  Wallpapering

Roof Painting  Quality Services Free Quotes.

Contact Udi Aale 021 074 2075 www.udipaintingndecorating.co.nz

Hedge Trimming

Hedge Trimming in Canterbury

Call Don today on 021 066 3011 or 03 318 2983

• Half size tractor for easier access

• Up to 6m height topped at 5m or less

• Branch size up to 50mm

• Cutter drops material to side of hedge.

LOCKSMITH

LOCKSMITH Selwyn based 24hr mobile service, keys cut and general lock and safe maintenance. EFTPOS available. Call Locktight Security 021 171 8060.

OFFICE SPACE