Ava Johnston and Miss Eve are winners of the 2025 TiES Jumping Futurity and the TiES Best Performed Jumping series at HOY.

It is always great to receive notes of thanks in our inbox, especially from younger riders.  15-year-old Ava Johnston got in touch with us after she won the 2025 North Island TiES series for second-career Thoroughbreds.  We were delighted to hear the teen spent her prize money on buying another TB!

Ava had just finished a busy season competing with her 10-year-old chestnut Thoroughbred mare, Miss Eve.  She says competing in the final TiES classes at HOY was a big step up for her despite the mare competing successfully with a previous owner.

“I was unsure we would even get around clear, as the atmosphere was huge and we had some pretty tough competition. But somehow we pushed through and came out the other side and won it!”

The prize money was used to buy 4-year-old Ginny from Pin Oaks Park, a mare out of War Decree.

Ava Johnston’s new TB mare Ginny.

“She is a lovely mare.  I’m taking it slowly with her and building muscle and tone to do the next TiES series.  The first week was long-reining all over the farm, and lots of ground work.  She picked that up quicker than any horse I have worked with.   She is very sweet and well-behaved, but while she knows how to be a mare, she also tries very hard,” says Ava.

“We’ve had her since March and her racing name was Hoshi. She had three starts. We’re hoping that, like Evie, slow race horse genes translate to some sort of jumping talent,” says Mum, Clare.

Ava lives on a dairy farm in Waverley and says she loves working with horses and building a meaningful connection with them.

Currently working with her coach Jess Mangan, the year 11 student is now gearing up for the Secondary Schools Equestrian Championships representing New Plymouth Girls High School aboard Miss Eve in Taupō, in late August.

Last year, 165 schools from across the motu (424 North Island riders and 234 South Island riders) took part.  And early indications are that these figures will increase again this year, as new schools are contacting ESNZ to enter.

Also known as the Interschools, the event enables younger riders and their teammates to enjoy taking part in equestrian sports during Tournament Week.  For many, this is the first – and sometimes the only – opportunity to connect with an organised event within the equestrian sport.  Students get to try something new, in a safe and encouraging environment, while also supporting their teammates as they represent their school. Parents and caregivers share in the joys of their child’s experience, often learning something new.  See more here.

Ava’s favourite disciplines are dressage, arena eventing, and showjumping, and next season she hopes to start the Junior Rider series.

The Thoroughbreds in Equestrian Sports series is sponsored by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing.  See our website for more.