The Vet Associates Springbush Horse Trial were hosts to the Young and Junior Rider One Day Champs at their Event on the 22nd and 23rd February 2025.
Considered as one of the more picturesque venues, Springbush is the home to experienced FEI Level 3 Course Designer, Tich Massey and is located in Hunua, South Auckland. Tich was lead Course Designer (CD) and built beautiful tracks for each level from 80cm-CCI3*. Up and coming talented Christchurch based CD, Cam Robertson, spent the week in Auckland assisting Tich to complete these courses. The experience of these two really shone in the tracks, providing a fair challenge for horse and rider, designed to build confidence.
The Event attracted impressive entries showing that this venue has been missed the last couple of years following damage caused by Cyclone Gabrielle leaving the venue unviable to host a Horse Trial.
Mackenzie Marlo & CHS Diplomat pipped Bridie Quigley to take the title of the Veterinary Associates Young Rider One Day Championship for 2025 on 46.4 points. Bridie with her gorgeous Oranoa Greyson was second on 47.5 points. Holly McInnes and Pop It were 3rd with 48.7 points.
The PCL Junior Rider One Day Championship was won by Tessa Bradcock & Ceremony (pictured below) with Zara Culley & Alto et Audax in runner up position.
Christen Lane and her lovely mare, Bellhaven Cumbria looked quite happy to be back out and about following time out after Christen gave birth to their gorgeous second child. This combination took home the Coppertop Plumbing CCI3* class.
Ashra McAvinue is showing the fantastic bond and training she has put into her two lovely chestnuts coming home with 1st and 3rd aboard TR Willow and TR Horizon respectively in the David White Earthmoving CCI2* class.
Scout Lodder & Marty McFly took out the Majestic Horse Floats CCN2*-S class – these sponsors were onsite with one of their transporting trucks available to walk through.
For full results, head to the Evo Events website here
Thanks to the full team who made this Event such a success – Diane Gilder is rider and secretary extraordinaire. Ellie Ward-Smith and her husband Dylan put in countless hours to bring the Event together – Dylan was responsible for revamping the river crossing following the Cyclone Gabrielle damage and riders were in agreeance that the crossing was superb. The Officials team were full of experience with Lisa Gall of Australia joining as Technical Delegate.