The small but mighty Taihape committee held their 67th Annual Show Jumping Championships, a lovely weekend that hosted some great weather and attracted a large number of competitors from near and far.
Tara Gower rides Riverhills Legend. Copyright Photo: KAMPIC / Kerry Marshall
The Property Brokers Grand Prix saw the battle of the young ladies when Tara Gower and Sofia Williams went head to head in the jump off. First out was Sofia aboard Grassendale Enzo, they were fast, but with one rail on the floor, the door was left wide open for Tara. Knowing a clear round was all that was needed, Tara and Riverhills Legend took the slower and steadier option that paid off when they left all the rails standing, to ride away with the win.
Hannah Roil and Grassendale Xtreme win the NZPH Seven Year Old Breeding Series. Photo Credit to Michelle Clarke Photography.
Hannah Roil and Grassendale Xtreme ( Corofino II x Casa Rosa MVNZ/Pico Bello, bred by Sharleen Workman) completed their jump off in 42.35 and took the win in the NZPH Seven Year Old Breeding Series, proving why they are the current series leaders. All three in the jump off went double clear, Sarah West rode Schecter (Hector van d’Abdijhoeve x Sofee/Powerfee, bred by Vicki Prendergast) to second place in 44.18 and Amanda Illston came in third place on Glenara C-Star (Big Star x Glenara KG Cinderella/Conquistador) with their time of 48.38.
Samantha-Lee Wakeling rides James’ Bentley. Copyright Photo: KAMPIC / Kerry Marshall
Samantha-Lee Wakeling won the FMG Young Rider with the only double clear on James’ Bentley, whilst The Brave Pants Company Pro Am saw two contest the jump off. Simone McConnell rode Chicago LS through the flags in the quickest time, just beating Siobhan Ryan riding Freehold.
The Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider win went to Cruze Du Plessis. With seven combinations going forward into the jump off, there was no time for hanging around! The top four combinations all jumped a double clear, and Cruze was the fastest on Mosaic II, a horse he has built a formidable partnership with over the last little while. Hannah McConnell aboard ME KD’s Affair were just a couple of seconds shy of Cruze’s time for second, and Hannah Roil followed tightly behind on Grassendale Xtreme for third.
Lottie Bull had a wonderful win in the AMS Saddlery Pony Grand Prix. Aboard TCG Centadel, she jumped a speedy double clear to take out the class ahead of Daniella Jelliman on Korokipo Kid. Lottie stopped the clock in 44.70, with Daniella coming behind in 48.36. Daniella also came in third place on Tallyho Scoundrel after picking up four faults in the jump off.
Lottie Bull won the AMS Saddlery Pony Grand Prix on TCG Centadel, Copyright Photo: KAMPIC / Kerry Marshall
The Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider also saw a fast and furious jump off, with six combinations rising to the challenge. Two put another clear round on the board, but it was a comfortable win for Nigel Horton riding Mandalay Cove who stopped the clock nearly eight seconds ahead of Laura Knight with Aria.
The TiES Futurity was a competitive class, with six making it through to the jump off and the top three all going double clear. Alana Leatham won on Master of Magic with a time of 35.41, Milla Dent rode Treviso V to second place in 39.12 and Ande Hakaraia rounded out the podium with JWS Danzar who finished in 40.66.
It was a family affair in the East Coast Performance Horses Five Year Old Breeding Series, and a good day to be a Prendergast! Three horses jumped a double clear to share the first prize, with Grace Prendergast riding Ngahiwi Ghost (Ngahiwi Cardento x Blues Daughter/Ngahiwi Cupid, bred by Bruce Holden), and mum Vicki riding Cardinal ECPH (Carrera VDL x Zapata ECPH/ Zirocco Blue VDL, bred by East Coast Performance Horses) and her homebred Salvador C (Carrera VDL x Sofee/Powerfee). The New Zealand Warmblood Association Six Year Old Breeding Series just saw one double clear from Dakota Philibert riding Kryptonite NZPH (Fetiche du Pas x Emily NZPH/Kannan, bred by NZPH).
Taihape Area Chair, Hannah Gudsell was rightly thrilled with the weekend:
“This year at Taihape was another epic year for the books. Competitive jumping was had over all three rings, and the ground was exceptionally prepared by the Rangitikei District council. Back in the day, these grounds were designed specifically for Show Jumping!
It was a mammoth undertaking from the small and mighty committee who have put a huge effort in over the last few months. In particular, building new the new yards and altering old ones was a big undertaking. We are always aiming to improve our facilities!
A number of new committee members had their first run in their new roles which was great.
Murray Smith and Greg Clifton need an extra shout out, Edward Bullock said “is there anything Murray can’t do?” As he re put on 5 shoes on horses on Saturday whilst still gate stewarding and managing ring 1 all day both days. Greg was chief in charge of ring 3 and didn’t stop either day plus fixed the temporary yards after an escapee. They have both been involved for years and both are familiar faces in the lower NI circuit helping out. Absolute legends”.
Molly Marvels Marlborough
Marlborough/Nelson had their Waitangi Weekend Show that saw some competitive classes all round. The Property Brokers Grand Prix saw all three competitors head into the second round with a clear on the board. Katie Meredith rode Sapphire SSNZ for the fastest jump off time, but one rail down saw her finish in third place. The top two both jumped a clear, but it was Molly Moffatt riding Lazarus GNZ who took out their class in 62.23. Jessica Hore would have been thrilled with her second place on Beaumont Cassanova in their first Grand Prix start.
Molly Moffatt rides Lazarus GNZ. Photo Credit to Michelle Clarke Photography
It was a winning day for the Wylaars sisters, Eva won the Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider on Centanna II with the only clear, and then the AMS Saddlery Pony Grand Prix on Larabelle, and Johanna won the NZPH Seven Year Old Breeding Series on Demietta (Daminos x Octavia Queen/Don Quattro) after jumping the only clear.
Johanna Wylaars rides Demietta. Photo Credit to Michelle Clarke Photography.
The FMG Young Rider saw three battle it out in the jump off, all of which were fast and clear. It was Ruby Rae Wood who was victorious riding TMS Annabella, Jessica Hore wasn’t far behind on Beaumont Cassanova and Casey Mackintosh rounded out the top three aboard Takapoto India.
Katharine Coleman scored another win in The Brave Pants Company Pro Am, she faced Sophie Townsend on Haupouri Heidi NZPH in the jump off and both secured a second clear round. Katharine rode Double J Sunshine through the timers in 42.40 to take the win.
Jackie Wear jumped the only double clear on Zola CSNZ in the Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider to take out the class, ahead of Melissa Tripe riding The Outlaw who picked up a few faults in the jump off for second place.
Gayle Baker took home four points in the Zealand Warmblood Association Six Year Old Breeding Series, after jumping a clear first round on Larnaca (Remi Lion King x Lorelei/ Limonit, bred by Kaaron Meares).
For full results go to www.evoevents.co.nz
11 February 2026
The Jumping Team