The Cartown Kiwi Super Classic, the brainchild of Kevin Hansen, who along with his passionate and experienced team at Manawatu Equestrian, brought together an event that offered top prize money across the grades for three thrilling days. This high octane show was packed with competition, entertainment and shopping, with numerous trade stands filling the grounds.
Kevin Hansen, Maurice Beatson, Cartown Kiwi Super Classic, Manfeild Park, Feilding, Sunday, December 21, 2025 Copyright Photo: KAMPIC / Kerry Marshall
Event organiser Kevin Hansen states that “the Cartown Kiwi Super Classic is a start of a new era for Manfield Equestrian Park Trust and Manawatu Equestrian. It is their plan to make it an equestrian venue of choice and we want New Zealand to be proud of this venue.”
FEI Level 3 Course Designer, Mathematician and author, Michael Haese built in ring one, and the South Islands Lex Peddie, a National Level 3 Course Designer, was building in the Bright Star Arena.
Sophie Scott continued her magnificent form as she led the victory lap of the Property Brokers Grand Prix on Normandy GHP after they jumped the sole clear round to take out the class. Kimberly Carrington finished in second place on her stunning stallion, Double J Typhoon with four faults.
Sophie Scott rides Normandy GHP, Cartown Kiwi Super Classic, Manfeild Park, Feilding, Saturday, December 20, 2025 Copyright Photo: KAMPIC / Kerry Marshall
“The surfaces jumped superb, from every rider’s perspective that jumped on the grass, says event organiser Kevin Hansen, “it’s been the best it’s ever been at Manfield Park, so we are pretty pleased with that.”
Daniella Jelliman wins the AMS Saddlery Pony Grand Prix on Tallyho Scoundrel. Photo Credit to Michelle Clarke Photography.
Daniella Jelliman carried on her dream season, and pulled out the quinella in the AMS Saddlery Pony Grand Prix, locally supported by Southern Parallel Equine Centre, taking the win on Tallyho Scoundrel with the only double clear, and Korokipo Kid coming in second place with a total of four faults over the two rounds.
Sofia Williams rides Royal MVNZ, Cartown Kiwi Super Classic, Manfeild Park, Feilding, Saturday, December 20, 2025 Copyright Photo: KAMPIC / Kerry Marshall
The recently crowned South Island Grand Prix Champion continued her good form with a win in the FMG Young Rider, locally supported by NSC. Sofia Williams and Royal MVNZ stopped the clock in 39.24, just a touch quicker than Emily Oliver riding Campari who finished in 39.88.
Samantha Megchelse rides Rata Mill Eclipse, Cartown Kiwi Super Classic, Manfeild Park, Feilding, Saturday, December 20, 2025 Copyright Photo: KAMPIC / Kerry Marshall
Samantha Megchelse rode Rata Mill Eclipse for the only clear in The Brave Pants Pro Am, and Nigel Horton was the only double clear in the Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider, locally supported by NSC, on Mandalay Cove. Marcus Rose joined him in the jump off on Royal Otis, picking up faults to finish in second place.
Nigel Horton rides Mandalay Cove, Cartown Kiwi Super Classic, Manfeild Park, Feilding, Friday, December 19, 2025 Copyright Photo: KAMPIC / Kerry Marshall
Ruby Hawkeswood was the victor in the Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider, locally supported by Seahorse Supplements, when she jumped the only clear round on Fifty Shades HS. Hannah Roil backed up her good form from the Young Horse Show with a clear jumping round on Grassendale Xtreme, but picking up a single time fault prevented a jump off and they finished in second place. Hannah went one better in the NZPH Seven Year Old Breeding Series, locally supported by Kyrewood Park, and nailed the win that she’s been knocking on the door of. Riding Grassendale Xtreme (Corofino II x Casa Rosa MVNZ/Pico Bello, bred by Sharleen Workman), she jumped the only double clear, and although Maurice Beatson was a smidgen quicker on LV Ellie (Elkintot x Black Grace/ Postponed, bred by Little Valley Farm), he had to settle for second place after dislodging a rail from its cups.
Hannah Roil and Grassendale Xtreme win the NZPH Seven Year Old Breeding Series. Photo Credit to Michelle Clarke Photography.
Luce Williams added yet another double clear to Jingo ECPH’s (Jardonnay VDL x Cincinnati ECPH/ Cassiano , bred by East Coast Performance Horses) bow in the East Coast Performance Horses Five Year Old Breeding Series, locally supported by The Rider Shop, along with Henry Gaddum and Eye Pinky Promise (Ngahiwi One Eye x Luna/Sorcery, bred by Sofie Gaddum).
Elyza McDonald is doing a great job of juggling her riding and studies as she notched up another win in the Main-Events Tertiary Series on De Silver Lining.
Kevin Hansen was very happy with how the show went down:
“We are pleased with what we’ve done, not quite the dream yet as we haven’t quite achieved what we wanted to with this show. We didn’t get the crowd that we wanted, but we will get that crowd in the future. We’ve got brand new people wanting to come on board after this show, so that’s exciting.”
Along with the spectacular competition from the jumping arenas, there was also a whole lot of entertainment to keep everyone happy. Friday and Saturday night hosted a sold out PBR Tasman Cup, featuring some of the best Professional Bull Riders from both sides of the Tasman. “The Pro Bull Riding always planned to go in with our show, it’s a separate company, but obviously I’m good friends with them, and we decided to do it together. It worked a treat, and they had two wonderful nights” (Kevin Hansen).
The Manawatu Hunt hounds put on a display and won the hearts of the whole audience, as did Tui Teka who not only went to Feilding Town Square to show off the talents of his long time mate Kingston, but he also put on a “Wild to Willing” masterclass, where he broke in a young colt belonging to Sophie Scott over the three days of the show.
“Tui Teka and the Manawatu Hounds were a big hit. Tui is a great communicator, and a great man with horses. He broke in a young horse over the three days, and people loved what he had to say and what he did. It’s pretty remarkable the things he did.” Says Kevin Hansen.
It’s safe to say that this is just the beginning for the Cartown Kiwi Super Classic and the future looks exciting, especially as they have plans in place for the new year to put in new arenas, and a whole new venue plan.
For full results go to:
21 December 2025