Matisse Masterton and Jay-Z GNZ. Photo by Kampic
MAINLAND COACHWORK JUNIOR RIDER SERIES
Winner: Matisse Masterson (Ardmore)
Winning the Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider Series was “the icing on the cake” for 17-year-old Matisse Masterson.
Junior Rider is most certainly her jam – she and her 11-year-old Warmblood Jay-Z GNZ also won their second consecutive Junior Rider of the Year crown at the Defender Horse of the Year Show.
“It was fantastic to win,” says the Ardmore-based teen who is a student but also works evenings and weekends at the family’s livery and training centre, the New Zealand Equestrian Academy. “I haven’t followed the series before as I usually jump half the season Junior Rider and the other half Young Rider. Winning felt like the icing on the cake after a big season chasing points for the leaderboard. The Junior Rider is extremely competitive so staying at the top relies on being 100% committed and staying very consistent.”
And while her “very special” horse Jay-Z rarely lets her down, she knows only too well that with horses, anything can happen.
She’s had him three years and is one of three in her top string, the other two being five-year-old Ice-T GNZ and 12-year-old Starlight Django who has not long joined her. He was ridden to a double clear in the Norwood Gold Cup at HOY by Maurice Beatson and Matisse’s first show with him was at series final where they won the 1.1m championship. “I’m now training at 1.3m and ready to step up the heights over winter.”
She’s already looking forward to next season. “I will be up for the challenge of competing in three series,” she says. “I have a strong team of three super-talented horses so will do my final year in Junior Rider and will also do the Young Rider and Six-Year-Old.”
Matisse is trained mostly by mum Deborah Ferris but also has lessons with Oliver Croucher.
Mainland Coachwork have been sponsoring the series for six years. “It’s a good series to sponsor as it is the up-and-coming riders of the future who make the sport what it is,” says Kate Chapman. “We enjoy going to the events and chatting with our customers while also watching them compete. It’s a good chance to meet potential customers as well.”
The company currently has two new horse coach builds on the go and have just finished a Kenworth motorhome for Wheeles at Wanaka.
Kate welcomes anyone interested in talking about a horse coach or float to give them a call.
Results – Matisse Masterson (Ardmore) 149 1, Mitchell Cowan (Marlborough) 139 2, Zara Main (Auckland) 134 3, Tara Gower (Cambridge) 107 4.
Diana Dobson
May 2025