Ashley Cole, Tonki Dee Boo Novak, and Tosca Bell, Arahi Penny. First and Second place in the Radincon Senior 160km class at the Endurance National Champs

The Radincon ESNZ Endurance & CTR National Championships 2025 brought together top endurance riders in the beautiful Marlborough region. This year’s unique 100% vineyard ride, set against the stunning backdrop of autumn vineyards, provided the perfect setting for competitors to showcase their skill, stamina, and partnership with their horses.

With sunny, mild weather creating ideal riding conditions, the event attracted a strong turnout of riders from across New Zealand and even a couple from Australia. The incredible support of the local Marlborough community and the generosity of sponsors, including Radincon as the Naming Rights Sponsor, ensured the success of this premier event.

Pinnacle Event: Radincon Senior 160km Championship

The flagship event began at 1:00 AM on Anzac Day, with 17 horse and rider combinations tackling a five-loop course (40km, 40km, 30km, 30km, and 20km):

  • 1st Place: Ashley Cole and Tonki Dee Boo Novak finished in an exceptional time of 8:52:27, narrowly edging out their competition after a closely fought gallop finish along one of the wide headlands just around the corner from ride base.

  • 2nd Place: Tosca Bell on Arahi Penny, finishing a fraction of a second later in 8:52:29, and later went on to claim the Best Conditioned Horse award.

  • 3rd Place: Jorja James riding Glendaar Windsong completed in just over 9 hours to come home in third place.

Additional placegetters:

  • 4th: James Sheahan (Minton East Chaucer), 11:10:56

  • 5th: Kevin James (Glendaar Fire Jewel), 11:30:17

  • 6th: Ursula Keenan (Arahi Silhouette), 11:39:21

  • 7th: Grace Blyth (Supre Zerlina), 12:41:37 – also the Radincon Vet’s Choice Award for superb management throughout.

Other Key Results

FourFlax CEIYJ3* 160km Young Riders

  • 1st Place: Kate James (Glendaar Zerena), 10:48:32 (plus BC)

Phoenix Pharm CEN Junior 160km

  • 1st Place: Isla Mutch (Glendaar Rubi Fire), 10:48:36 

  • 2nd Place: Abigail Enstrom (Mauku Iridessa), 11:39:21

IRT CEI2* 120km (Non-Championship)

  • 1st Place: Helen Graham (Howdy Dudey EPH), 8:05:10 (plus BC)

  • 2nd Place: Marga Marshall (Westford Fantasia), 9:29:16

IRT CEI1* 100km (Non-Championship)

  • 1st Place: Anna Graham (Supre Dark Chevalier), 6:48:23 (plus BC)

  • 2nd Place: Bridgett James (Glendaar ‘Against The Wind’), 7:29:13

Zilco NZ Senior 120km Championship

  • 1st Place: Daniel Schreurs (WNA Aida), 7:21:41 (plus BC)

  • 2nd Place: Brydie Black (Delights Ranaarb), 7:23:30

  • 3rd Place: Tegan Symington (Glendaar Nissar), 7:42:41

  • 4th Place: Leanne Ireland (Hyforce SFW Casanova), 9:08:38

Vetpak CEIYJ2* 120km

  • 1st Place: Robert James (Delights Crystal Prince), 7:22:41 (plus BC)

  • 2nd Place: Abigail Enstrom (Deja Vu EPH), 7:22:42

  • 3rd Place: Kate James (Glendaar Taffeite Flame), 9:41:45

Farmlands CEN Junior 120km

  • 1st Place: Lily McLeod (GA Valentino), 9:08:45

CEN Nutrition Senior 100km

  • 1st Place: Jorja James (Supre Dark Nakela), 6:14:13 (plus BC)

  • 2nd Place: Louise Holmes (Willowbrook Aramis), 6:14:16

  • 3rd Place: Struan Duncan (Makahiwi Adelaide), 7:48:49

IRT CEIYJ1* 100km

  • 1st Place: Grace Birkett (Mariu Nandina), 6:02:40

  • 2nd Place: Sophie James (Glendaar Jasmine), 6:22:57 (plus BC)

Liquid Action CEN Intermediate Senior 60km

  • 1st Place: Debby Burson (Oscar), 4.04.13

  • 2nd Place: Kelley Duncan (NZAH Waimanu Equinox), 4.24.06

  • 3rd Place: Rena Johnsen (Laila Franco), 5.00.59

CTR Results

Spy Valley Wines Open CTR 60km

  • 1st Place: Sue Landis (Saffron Firefly), 132 points (plus Best Timed CTR)

  • 2nd Place: Kat Gardiner (Dream Major), 175 points

  • 3rd Place: Michelle Brosnan (Arahi Ovation), 200 points

Antares Homestay Intermediate CTR 40km

  • 1st Place: Jaimee Martens (Al Tirah Freedom), 99 points

  • 2nd Place: Anne Vawter (BTR Windsong), 108 points

  • 3rd Place: Jo Chaney (Sunny Brae Red Lace), 115 points

Equine Super Goo Junior CTR 40km

  • 1st Place: Jaxon Bethel (Cruisin Comet), 104 points

Special Award from Naming Rights Sponsor – Radincon Vets’ Choice Award

Of the 13 starters in the open 160km, seven made it to the finish. Grace Blyth and Supre Zerlina were tackling their first ever 160km and averaged 12.6 km/h. At the second vet gate (80km), the mare showed early signs of back soreness. Grace was cautioned that continuing would depend on careful management. She made gear changes and rode off the mare’s back as much as possible — finishing with a sound horse but a very sore body herself!
The vet panel unanimously agreed that this ride exemplified everything The Radincon Vets Choice Award stands for — prioritising the horse’s welfare above the rider’s own, and showing genuine respect for veterinary input by listening and responding to advice throughout the ride.

Grace Blyth and Supre Zerlina were rewarded the Radincon Vets’ Choice award for superb management throughout the 160km competition