Ian Menzies and Di Cullen - the cheefrul finishers at NSW Interschools
At the recent NSW Interschools competition at SIEC we spoke to the two finishers at the end of the cross country course who were braving the elements (although it hadn’t quite started raining at that point!)
Ian Menzies had made the seven hour trip from his home in Condobalin, picking up daughter Lyndsay on the way from her school (All Saints College) Bathurst.
“Coming to Interschools is something we have been involved with for a long time,” said Ian. “My two olders girls went through it and this is Lyndsay’s third or fourth year. We generally are involved with the interschools here and the one at Conabarabran … it’s just something we do.”
When I asked Ian why he was here volunteering he chuckled in his reply. “With the predicted weather forecast of heavy rain I’m asking myself the very same question! But on a serious note I think it’s important to help out when you can. I certainly get a lot out of helping and I think the kids get something out of it too. I didn’t really ask to get the job of finisher but I don’t really mind and later in the week I think I’ll get the chance to help John Vallance with some course building and I’m really looking forward to that. Building courses is really my passion and I enjoy any time spent learning from John. ”
“We try to balance the volunteer bit between my wife, Jane, and myself because we think it’s important that one of us is around for Lyndsay is she needs help. At nearly 16 we know she can pretty much look after herself so it’s more of a support thing that we can help her with.”
Riders at the end of cross country
The other person helping at the finish was Di Cullen, who admitted she was more used to helping out at Pony Club rather than Interschools. “It was my daughter who asked me to come and help here. She has her four children with her all riding so it’s lovely to come and watch the grandchildren do their thing and help out at the same time.”
Thinking that Di probably just helped out at her local Pony Club I asked what role she played in that organization, “I’m the NSW President for Pony Club and also Chief Instructor for Zone 16, so yes you could say I’m pretty involved with Pony Club.”
Di, like the majority of parents and helpers at Interschools, were staying at SIEC for the week while hundreds of children enjoyed a variety of equestrian sports. “It will probably be a long week but hopefully an enjoyable one,” said Di before getting back to her job and checking the number of the horse and rider who had just finished their cross country round.
PS – Congratulations to Ian’s daughter, Lyndsay, who finished second in the EvA95 senior class riding Dennis the Menace.
