Teams from the Brooklin, Centaurus, Durham, Kawartha, Oshawa, Pine Ridge, Timberline, Toronto & North York and Uxbridge-sScugog Pony Clubs, with members from this area, have entered the 2001 Central Ontario Regional Tetrathlon, being held on Saturday, June 16 and Sunday, June 17.

Tetrathlon is a very demanding competition with four parts: swimming, shooting (with air pistols), running and riding. Scoring varies with the phase. In swimming, points are given for the time taken to complete a fixed distance (50-200m, depending on level). In shooting, the points are given for the number of shots in the target and their position in the target, similar to darts. Running is scored by time taken to complete a cross-country course. Riding is scored like the cross-country phase of eventing, with penalty points for refusals, falls, and taking longer than the optimum time to complete the course.

Boys and girls compete in separate divisions in Tetrathlon, and there are five levels for each: Junior A, Junior B, Senior A, Senior B and Novice. The "A" and "B" splits are determined by the competitors' levels of riding skills, as measured by the Canadian Pony Club testing system.

The winners of Regional competitions at the Senior and Junior "A" levels have a chance of being chosen to represent the region at national and international competitions. This year's National Tetrathlon takes place in British Columbia, from August 6th to 10th.

The shooting, swimming and running competitions will take place at St Andrew's College in Aurora on Saturday. The riding phase will be held on Sunday, at the Toronto & North York Hunt on Dufferin Street north of Highway 9. Spectators are welcome at all phases of competition, without admission charge.

For more information, contact Carmen Cotter, Regional Tetrathlon Chair, or Bob Inglis or Liz Inglis, Regional Communications Co-Chairs.