The Matamata Event won the ESNZ Eventing award for the “Best North Island Event of the 2023-2024 season” after their first year of hosting the NZ One Day Eventing Champs. It will come as no surprise if the 2025 Event is nominated for this award again for the 2024-2025 season.
The Matamata Event is run by the Matamata Equestrian Group consisting of some of the sports most experienced, knowledgeable, and dedicated Eventing & Jumping personnel. Hosted at the McGiven farm, the Event’s success is attributed to this incredible family for their hard work year-round with the venue’s wellbeing in mind for the annual March Horse Trial despite this being a working dairy farm.
The Event kicked off with Dressage on Friday 28th March and the inaugural Thoroughbred 5K Eventers Stakes funded by NZTR. The eligible combinations completed the Dressage phase on Friday morning to return on Friday evening to complete a short SJ & XC course in front of a crowd enjoying the hospitality provided by Randlab.
The winning combination was Alena Dorotich & Fifty Shades (Sweynesse x Les Silk), second Brittany Fowler & Margarita Time (Rip Van Winkle x Silk Chardonnay) and third was Kate Fleming & Sans Crainte (Vadamos x Saucy Penny).
Saturday was Cross Country day with the courses being immaculately designed by Campbell and Glen Draper and Denise McGiven. Jennifer Millar stated “It was a great Event and the detail on the cross country was as good as anywhere in the world”.
The Randlab CCI4*-S class saw a shake up after overnight leader, Christen Lane & Bellhaven Cumbria, jumped a wrong fence and was subsequently eliminated. Donna Edwards-Smith was all class aboard her trusty DSE Mendoza, steaming around the course – it was truly a pleasure to watch. This left them in pole position heading into the SJ phase.
Saturday night was the ever-popular Officials vs. Riders quiz which is proof that Eventers can still socialise! This was a wonderful evening full of laughs and an opportunity to enjoy each other’s company.
Sunday morning was another glorious sunny day with the North Island heading towards drought status. The ground did not reflect this state after the Matamata Equestrian Group having aerated the ground to ensure optimal going for the horses welfare.
Donna & DSE Mendoza were absolutely foot perfect to add nothing to their score following XC and confirm their win in the Randlab CCI4* & Forest Gate Trophy. Carys McCrory & Nemesis had an exceptional first 4* event to only add 14.4 time faults in the XC phase, finishing on 59 penalties. Mackenzie Marlo & her scopey CHS Diplomat took out third place.
Donna-Edwards Smith aboard DSE Mendoza
The Harcourts Kevin Deane Real Estate CCI3* & winners of the Waiteko Trophy Helen McGrath & Woodbine Magic Maze. Helen reports “I am so grateful to be back riding her, she’s my horse of a lifetime and I’m looking forward to what we can achieve next”. Helen previously won the Waiteko Trophy aboard Woodbine Magic Maze’s grandmother when the ODC were held at Surrey Hill (pictured below)!
Second in the Harcourts Kevin Deane Real Estate CCI3* was Donna Edwards-Smith & DSE Gotta Dash with Mackenzie Marlo & DSE Presley coming in third.
The Dunstan Horsefeeds CCN2* and Ferndale trophy winner was Bridie Quigley aboard her beautiful Encore. A close second was Donna Edwards-Smith and DSE Duke of Seville with Portia Wright and her chestnut beauty, Valerius.
Bridie Quigley & Encore
The OJ’Z Promotions and winner of the Tait Trophy was Angela Lloyd and Rangatira Florence. In second place was Mia Cadwallader & recently landed from Australia, Sharvalley Wild Thing with Bridie Quigley & Woodbine Glide Time coming in third.
Angela Lloyd & Rangatira Florence
For the full results, please head to Evo Events here
First time competitor at the Matamata Event and winner of the BetaVet Step Up CCN80cm Plus class, Louise Leonard, said “it was my first time competing here and wow, what an event it was. Thank you to the committee, land owners and sponsors, who worked so hard to make the event extra special. The riders BBQ and sponsored happy hour were amazing. Just above and beyond, I can see why it’s been voted the #1 event by riders and I will certainly be back next year!”