The South Island’s most prestigious show jumping takes place at the National Equestrian Centre, McLean’s Island, this week, with national titles on offer. The title classes are all about consistency; five-round competitions start on Thursday and Friday and conclude on Sunday. There is plenty of action on Saturday too, with the focus on the nationwide series classes.
In the National titles, the class to watch this year could well be the Equissage NZ National Open Pony championship in association with Fiber Fresh. The field includes the only North Islander competing at this year’s show, Sophie Scott. With two ponies in the twelve-strong field, Sophie will be doubling her chances of winning the title along with valuable premier-level points in the series. It will be no easy feat, however, with on-form locals Steffi Whittaker, Grace Manera, Rohan Tennekoon and Rosa Buist-Brown having the hometown advantage. Another local returning from a North Island tour is Annabel Francis, who cannot be discounted with her two ponies after the experience they have gained on the road.
The Bayleys Real Estate Horse Grand Prix Championship in association with Wilcox Perlas Potatoes has attracted just three entries, but predicting a winner is not so easy. Both Kimberleigh McCabe and Chris Harris have had a win at Premier level recently, though their mounts are somewhat less experienced than Rose Alfeld’s My Super Nova. No doubt Australian course designer John Vallance will set a challenging track to test these riders over the highest fences of the show.
The remaining championships have larger entries this year. Riders will be hoping to set a slick time in the speed round on day one, and continue to be consistently clear in four rounds on Friday and Sunday. These are exciting classes to watch on the final day as the pressure is applied when riders start in reverse order.
The FMG Young Rider Series and Lincoln University Junior Rider Series classes will be highlights on Saturday, as will the always-competitive Caledonian Holdings Amateur class. Harry Feast will be one aiming to add to his series points in the in the FMG Young Rider. He is currently well in the hunt for the big prize at the end of the season, so a good result on Double J Bouncer here will definitely be his goal.
After the series classes have concluded on Saturday, the first-ever running of the Tavern Harewood NZ National Horse Derby Championship will start and it promises to be a lot of fun for spectators. The neighbouring cross-country fences will be well utilised.
The event also boasts a full schedule of popular show hunter competitions with separate pony and horse arenas. In addition to the national series classes, the horse Rising Star, Junior, Amateur and Open sections have qualifying rounds to produce pressure-cooking finals on the last day.
The show also has a good number of social and entertainment events, with a meet-and-greet on Thursday, followed by Friday’s happy hour with special entertainment involving riders. Saturday includes wine tasting, a BBQ, an auction and a new charity event.
‘Who Jumped It Best?’ brings together guest riders from different disciplines and a handful of kids with ponies both big and small. Funds raised from auctioning the riders off, as well as donations given on the night, will go to the NZ Neurological Foundation.
Sunday starts with the riders’ BBQ breakfast, followed by the official opening of the June Cresswell Stables. The ESNZ / Horse Society reunion lunch is on again and if the noise coming out of the marquee from previous years is anything to go by, it is a lot of fun!
A terrier race brings the entertainment to an end. This is another new feature and the talk around the terrier-owning equestrians is that it is going to be a very spirited competition!
The timetable and schedule of events can be found on this link.
