There are some great fields in the annual Springston Trophy Teams event, which is hosted by the Awatere Pony Club in Marlborough, South Island, this weekend. NZ Horse & Pony is one of the sponsors and will be there to bring you all the coverage!
The dressage and show jumping phases will be held at the Ward domain and the cross-country at Chris and Trish Redwood’s property, Marfell Downs, 671 Seaview Road, Seddon. The cross-country course builder is Robbie McLean and Pete Collins is designing the show jumping course.
The dressage, sponsored by Marlborough Equestrian Barn, starts on Friday at 9am, with the cross-country following on Saturday at 9am. The show jumping, sponsored by Dunstan Horse Feeds, is on Sunday, also starting at 9am, with mounted prize-giving expected to commence at 2pm. The Seddon School is providing the catering on Saturday and Sunday.
In the biggest class, the Juniors (14 and under), more than 70 riders will be competing. Some of the ponies in this class have the best names: Slow Down Ponio is in the Amberley Yellow team, and then we have Oky Doky (Brooke Adams) from the Okuku pony club. We will also be looking out for Goosebumps, Bucc-a-boo and Muffin Man.
The Intermediate class (under 17) has a field of 70 and there are 41 in the Senior section. The organisers have adopted the new pony club rules extending the age of membership, so the Senior competition is open to those 24 and under. Some riders who have been doing well in ESNZ events are among the entries for this, including Jessie Fitzjohn (What’s the Buzz) riding for View Hill Red), Todd Magner (Kawhaka Concorde) riding for Greymouth Green, and Brodie Roberts (SR Livingstone) riding for Eyreton Navy.
Although fewer boys have entered in the Intermediate class, there are some serious contenders who will be out to beat the girls. Jamie Atkinson on Ahuriri Dusk from Halswell will be one to watch, as will Clayton Takuira-Mita (Velvet Rose) for North Otago and Jakob Pascoe (Monkey Puzzle) in the Hurunui team.
There are plenty of girls who will give the boys some great competition, however, including Olivia Harkerss (Brooklee Smallchange) in the Rakaia Green team, plus Maria van Kuijk (Antara Whiskey Mac) and Elizabeth Wylaars (Wairoa Ruskyn) both from Eyreton Navy.
In all, there are 36 teams entered. These are: Amberley Blue, Amberley Yellow, Clyde, Dunedin Saddleview, Eyreton Navy, Greymouth Gold, Greymouth Green, Halswell, Hawea, Wanaka Wakatipu, Hurunui, Kaiapoi Black, Kaiapoi Waihora, Marshlands / Awatere, Motueka Pony Club, Nelson Bays / Golden Bay / Reefton, Nga Tawa Gold, Nga Tawa Navy, Nga Tawa White, North Otago, Okuku, Oxford Banks Peninsula Ellesmere, Pleasant Point Maroon, Pleasant Point/Cave, Rakaia Black, Rakaia Green, Rangiora All Stars, Rangiora Rangoons, Springston, Tinwald Methven Waihora, View Hill Black, View Hill Red, View Hill White, Waiau Roydvale, Waimea, West Taieri, West Taieri Mosgiel.
Well done to the three Nga Tawa teams making the trek down from Bulls. They travelled to the event last year when it was held at Eyreton Pony Club, so obviously enjoyed their time and are up for a repeat trip. What a great experience for their students.
Last year’s winners were Eyreton Navy and the team members were Brodie Roberts, Jess Hobby, Maria van Juijk, Elizabeth Wylaars, Charlotte Hamilton and Molly Moffitt. Eyreton Navy also won the event in 2014 so will be going for a hat-trick this year.
The Springston Trophy dates back to 1972, when Mary Dalley, Don Collett and Joan McCall came up with the idea. It has grown to be one of the biggest pony club events in the Southern Hemisphere.
The first two events (held at Springston and Gore) took place in arctic-like weather, with 15 teams braving the elements both years. This year’s event looks to have a far better weather forecast!
We will be there to bring you all the coverage, so keep checking back on our website and Facebook page.
