ESNZ Show Hunter

24/01/2025

𝙎𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙃𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙒𝙧𝙖𝙥 18-19 𝙁𝙚𝙗

The Main Arena at the Levin Showgrounds provided great footing for the Tremains Horowhenua AP & I Show with strong competition mid-week. While the temperatures were high, irrigation and good maintenance provided ideal conditions over the two days of Show Hunter.

In the Hack ring, Jacqui Symes and her lovely mare Takapoto Sienna shone, winning the Championship class, and both 1.10m NRM Open High Points Series classes with some polished performances. Junior combinations Ella Kingston with Harleen Quinzel, and Izzy Thompson on Cashew Xtreme battled it out in the Equitation classes with only a point between them both days, with Izzy turning the tables on day two.

The EquiMatch Junior High Points class was taken out by Eilidh Gloyn and Maple MSNZ (first day) and Jodie Carver, Crusader (second day). The Seahorse Supplements Adult Equitation was won by Sarah Jocelyn, and Claudia Hurley would have been very happy with the results of her two mounts, Wai Iti Willow and Bluetooth over the show.

In a purple patch of form, Bridie King on her palomino Grassendale Gin (pictured) backed up great results at the NI Championships (BOPSH@NEC, Taupo), with almost a clean sweep on the second day of competition here, taking out the Category C Championship, the Brave Pants Company Cat C High Points, and both Big On Writing Pony Equitation classes. Charlie Stone and Tawa won The Brave Pants Company Cat C High Points on the first day along with many other placings, and Lily Gibbs also had a good show on her young grey, Pure Treasure MSNZ. Shayde Hanover and Fancy Clancy were another combination that featured strongly in the line-ups.

Phoebe Rickard and Windermere Silvery Moon led the way in the Category B Pony section, winning the Championship class, along with both Grains and Gains Cat B High Points Series Classes. Mollie Robertson on Ashton Fairytale had a good first day taking out the BOP & Waikato SH Groups 12 & Under Equitation amongst others.
Apache Star was literally the star in the Cat A Pony section with rider Rokeya Fletcher, the pair collecting the Championship class, BOP & Waikato SH Groups 12 & Under Equitation (second day), and both Vero Insurance Cat A High Points classes. Portia Thompson on Edward The Great, Pippa Petro on Waima Gin and Bella Wallace with Wembleybrook O’Driscoll were the other Cat A’s in good form.

A highlight in the pony ring was the Vero Insurance sponsors providing winning Cat A High Points Series class riders with gift packs! We were also lucky to have Hadley Searle on course to present the Seahorse Supplements Adult Equitation classes. We are forever grateful to our wonderful sponsors so please keep up the great work and take the time to thank all our terrific sponsors who keep our sport alive and well.
A big thanks must go to judges Christine Rowe and Louise Ilton for their efforts, and of course the organiser Gail Goodwin for putting on a well-run show!

The SCNO Summer Classic was also held at Waimate Showgrounds last weekend.
Annie Baird from Nelson continued her successful summer sojourn through the South Island winning the NRM Open High Points in what was a closely contested class , Georgia Allison and the ever consistent Sandow Jacob had to settle for second place closely followed by Nadia Lyders on Turbo Timer Java.
Annie and her lovely bay Maximus Z also took out the EquiMatch Junior High Points in another competitive class edging out Amy Brenssell by a slim margin of two points.
The ESNZ Amateur High Points was a real test for judge Lisa Clark.
Georgia Allison showed her class and consistency winning on Carabawn Comet and placing second on her own Sandow Jacob. Elisha Morrison on Donnerspiel were a creditable third in this strong class.
Georgia Allison also proved she is going to be the one to beat as we look toward the Tavendale and Partners NZ National Championships at the end of the month in the Seahorse Supplements Adult equitation again winning this class with a very polished round.

In the Pony Ring entries were low but competition was strong for the Big On Writing Pony Equitation class. Zoe Slater narrowly taking the win from Bella Grace Fountain with Bella Grace working hard and reversing that order in The Brave Pants Company Cat C High Points winning the class on Graceland.

Full Results can be found on EvoEvents NZ and Main-Events.com

Photo by Spot On Photo

NRM The Brave Pants Company Big On Writing Seahorse Supplements EquiMatch Grains & Gains Co Show Hunter Waitemata Waikato Show Hunter Group

22/01/2025

🚨 Riders, time's ticking! Entries close NEXT WEEK! 🚨
Be a part of the action at the Defender Horse of the Year 2025! 🐎💥

🔗 Schedules Here: https://hoy.kiwi/whats-on/

19/01/2025

Hack National Series class winners from Sunday at the SCNO Summer Classic in Waimate :

EquiMatch Junior High Points:
Annie Baird and Maximus Z

ESNZ Amateur High Points:
Georgia Allison and Carabawn Comet

Auckland & Waitemata SH Groups Junior Equitation:
Sienna Erskine and Bellwood O’Banion

Seahorse Supplements Adult Equitation:
Georgia Allison and Sandow Jacob

NRM Open Horse High Points:
Annie Baird and Maximus Z

EquiMatch
Seahorse Supplements
NRM
Auckland Show Hunter Group
Show Hunter Waitemata

18/01/2025

Pony National Series Points winners from the SCNO Summer Classic in Waimate today:

BOP & Waikato SH groups 12 & Under Equitation:
1st Ally-May Cleland on Ellangowan Wanna Be
2nd Claudia Studholme and Phoenician SoHo

Vero Insurance Cat A Pony High Points:
Rosa Carter and Ataahua Rapture

Grains and Gains Co Cat B Pony High Points:
Charlotte Weir and Starlight Indrani

Big On Writing Pony Equitation:
Zoe Slater and Done Deal

The Brave Pants Company Cat C Pony High Points:
Bella Grace Fountain and Graceland

Vero Insurance New Zealand Limited
Grains & Gains Co
The Brave Pants Company
Big On Writing
Waikato Show Hunter Group
Bay of Plenty Show Hunter Group

16/01/2025

14/01/2025

Dynavyte Rider of the Month: December 2024
Isabella Duncan — A Rising Star in Show Hunter

At just 10 years old, Isabella has proven herself to be a determined and passionate rider, despite facing a series of challenges. Her equestrian journey began in January 2023, but after only four months of riding, a string of unrelated injuries including a broken hand, dislocated ankle and broken elbow. These kept her out of the saddle for eight months.

Undeterred by these setbacks, Isabella made a strong return to riding and embarked on a search for a new pony after outgrowing her previous one. In April 2024, she found her perfect partner in Onetai Cover Girl, affectionately known as Tully. Together, they started with small winter events in May 2024, but it quickly became clear that Bella and Tully had the talent and determination to compete in registered Show Hunter events.

Their remarkable partnership led to an incredible start to the season, with the duo qualifying for Horse of the Year at their very first show—an achievement far beyond Bella’s initial expectations. They have yet to leave a competition without earning a collection of ribbons.

Bella’s love for Show Hunter extends beyond competing. She’s often seen lending a hand at events, whether helping at the gate, running class sheets back to the office, assisting with ring pack-up, or distributing ribbons. When not helping out, Bella can be found sitting ringside with her mum, learning the finer points of judging a round.

Having transitioned from jumping 50cm courses to confidently navigating the 90cm Category C tracks against older, more experienced riders, Bella’s progress has been astounding. Only six months ago, she was just learning to navigate the warm-up ring. Now, she’s thrilled to have qualified for HOY and is eagerly preparing for her practice year at the prestigious event.

Beyond Show Hunter, Bella is a vibrant and active young athlete. Her wide array of interests includes gymnastics, trampolining, field hunting with the Rangitikei Hunt Club, netball, soccer, rugby, hockey, fishing and diving. Whatever activity she takes on, Bella gives it her all, demonstrating her unwavering commitment and boundless energy.

Congratulations to Bella for being our Dynavyte Rider of the Month for December 2024. Your determination, enthusiasm, and sportsmanship make you an inspiring young rider and a true asset to the equestrian community. We can’t wait to see what you and Tully achieve next!

13/01/2025

Some photos from the recent show at Dannevirke 😍

13/01/2025

Congratulations to all Series Winners and Placegetters. Thanks to our Series Sponsors for your continued support, we couldn't run these series without you.

Send a message to learn more

09/01/2025

07/01/2025

The North Island Show Hunter Champs are on this weekend, hosted by Bay of Plenty Show Hunter Group at the Fiber Fresh National Equestrian Centre Taupo.

Check out the beautiful prizes on offer.

18/12/2024

Clarification for some of the Hunter Highlight questions:
Bell boots
Bell Boots detract from the movement of the horse and some of them flap and make a distracting noise when the horse goes around as well. Yes it is a picture and the old adage less is better.
Riders should understand and realise that SH is so much an aesthetic discipline, not just technical. Bell boots can be ugly flappy things that detract from the look of elegance and quality that means a horse will not stand out or be particularly noticed/admired by the judge - (show horses don't wear them) and if they are required to be worn, then perhaps incorrect movement especially balance is lacking, and/or conformation might be a factor
There is provision in the Show Hunter rules for a vet certificate to be produced to the judge prior to the round if there is a veterinary reason for the wearing of bell boots

Saluting
In the hunter ring in the United States they do not salute and many of our NZ traditions and rules have been adopted from the USA. The combination is being judged from when it enters the ring till it exits so saluting it not required. Saluting can interrupt the flow of the round. In large classes, saluting can also add significant time to the day.
Saluting is basically a tradition that started in the military days when organized "competitions" within the ranks meant that the judge was a superior officer and so saluting went without saying - the dressage one is also a test of immobility. And the show jumping one more a nod (not many do it though) as it's not a rule.

15/12/2024

Show Hunter National Age Championships included here.

15/12/2024

Hack National Series winners from the second day of Series At Southland’s Festive Show

Equimatch Junior High Points:
Sienna Erskine and Bellwood O’Banion

ESNZ Amateur High Points:
Nadia Lyders and Turbo Timer Java

Auckland & Waitemata Junior Equitation:
Sienna Erskine and Bellwood O’Banion

Seahorse Supplements Adult Equitation:
Georgia Allison and Sandow Jacob

14/12/2024

Pony National Series winners from the second day of Series At Southland’s Festive Show

BOP & Waikato SH groups 12 & Under Equitation:
Bella Robins and Penelope

Vero Insurance Cat A Pony High Points:
Matilda Baker and Afalloons Royal Salute

Grains and Gains Co Cat B Pony High Points:
Scarlet Baker and El Alpha G Wizz

Big On Writing Pony Equitation:
Zoe Innes and Foxley Pocket Rocket

The Brave Pants Company Cat C Pony High Points:
Rebecca Vaughan and Galaxy Silver Linings

14/12/2024

Hack National Series Results from the Southland Festive show on Saturday:

ESNZ Amateur High Points:
Georgia Allison and Sandow Jacob

Seahorse Supplements Adult Equitation:
Georgia Allison and Sandow Jaco

NRM Open High Points:
Georgia Allison and Sandow Jacob