SPOONERS and West Dartmoor Pony Club held its autumn tetrathlon last weekend.

The shooting, running and swimming phases were held on Saturday at Kelly College. The riding phase was due to be held at Wallabrook Farm on Sunday, but one look at the weather forecast earlier in the week and the decision was made to cancel this section.

The ground was looking good until heavy rain and the threat of more to come meant that the course could have been treacherous in parts which would have spoilt what turned out to be a successful competition.

The weather on Saturday turned out better than expected and the rain held off until everything was over. Ninety-seven competitors took part.

In the senior boys', Lamerton had two competitors, Daniel Preece and Michael Harris, who were competing in their first senior event and came second and third respectively.

Spooners member Rachel Short came fourth having the best run in the senior girls. Also in this class was Lamerton member Lucy Hobbs, taking part in her first senior event, who came fifth.

Spooners had a team of junior boys, Edward Coombs, achieving best run and coming fourth overall, Ben Sleep who was sixth and Chris Spreadbury. They were narrowly beaten into second place by a team from East Devon.

Georgina Geikie, of Mid Devon Pony Club, won the junior girls' class with best run. Megan Fell of Spooners, came second and achieved best swim. The best shoot rosette went to Ashleigh Ware of Mid Devon.

The Mid Devon team of Tanya Boyce, Ashleigh Ware, Laura and Sarah Gomersall convincingly won the team event.

Lamerton competitors Ruth Sloman and Hattie Sparks competed well adding more local opposition in this class.

Paul Rowe, of Spooners, came second in the mini boys also achieving best run and best swim.

Thomas Preece and Adam Sandercock did well but were up against some tough opposition.

Vicky Medlyn, of Mid Devon, came fifth in the mini girls class helping the Mid Devon team of Sophie Halliday, Katherine Manchip and Rosanna Hignett to second place.

The Spooners team of Zoe Stock, Kelly Corden and Alice Raeburn (competing for the first time), came fourth, Lamerton's Lizzie Luxton competing for the first time, also took part.

Thanks were expressed to Badminton Horse Feeds for sponsoring the event and to all the helpers who helped make it run so smoothly.