A FARMING family took a clean sweep to become champions at the local gymkhana.

It was a very successful day for the Smith family of Altarnun who took the championship at St Dominic Gymkhana in the nine and under, 13 and under and the Open Gymkhana on Sunday, August 12.

Their pony, Chestnut carried all four members of the family to success — quite a haul for the rosette wall!

Speaking to Sophie Smith age 10 just after the win, she said: “I’m so happy, I don’t get to ride my pony as often as I’d like and I was quite nervous going up an age group this time to the 13 and unders. My daddy was really great leading me, he helped me feel safe and helped me believe I can do it, and we did!”

Ben aged nine echoed: “He had to work really hard to lead us both, he even rode Chestnut in the open so that the gymkhana people could raise more money for the charity.”

Proceeds are for Riding for the Disabled and other local charities.

Darren said: “As a local farmer, I think it’s really important to support our local rural events, we’ve competed in the gymkhanas here since the kids were tiny and always wanted to be champs — we won recently at Callington show for the first time but never dreamed we’d clean up here today, the kids are over the moon!

“We’d really like to thank the organisers and the lady that lent me her spare riding hat, they even got me and Emma to have a go in the open! They put on a really fun event, the kids love the trophies and it’s good to know the rural community can still get together and put on a great show for a good cause.”