Set in the basin of the breathtaking Mount Taranaki, the Egmont A&P Showgrounds were filled with the hustle and bustle of riders and their four legged friends, all hoping to take home a prestigious title at the Dunstan Horsefeeds North Island Championships, proudly hosted by Taranaki Equestrian Jumping.
Mount Taranaki provides a breathtaking backdrop. Photo Credit to KF Photography.
The three jumping rings saw competition ranging from the Spot You Later Children’s Classic 40cm to Grand Prix North Island title classes, with expertly built courses from Chris Rogers in Ring 1, Philippa Howells in Ring 2 and Becky Ormsby in Ring 3.
Samantha Van Lierde riding her young horse, Lexc VL. Photo Credit to KF Photography
Tara Gower lit up the arena when she secured the Premier League title, locally supported by Dunstan Horsefeeds, with the only double clear on her superstar homebred Riverhills Legend. Sofia Williams had the faster time aboard Grassendale Enzo, but four faults in the second round left them in second place. Sophie Scott cleared all the second round obstacles on Equine America Benrose Stellar, but the four faults they carried over from the first round saw them take home third place.
Tara Gower wins the Premier League Grand Prix on Riverhills Legend. Photo Credit to Denise Flay Photography.
The podium for the Property Brokers Grand Prix Championship, locally supported by Dunstan Horsefeeds, had a sense of déjà vu, with the top three matching that of the Premier League, but in a slightly different order. Six combinations went through to the second round, with four putting down a double clear, but this time, the win went to Sophie Scott on Equine America Benrose Stellar. They stopped the clock in 37.80, just ahead of Sofia Williams riding Grassendale Enzo and Tara Gower on Riverhills Legend who broke the timers in 37.51 and 37.99 respectively.
Sofia Williams went one better in the FMG Young Rider, locally supported by Black Rose Forge, when she took out the class on Royal MVNZ. After picking up four faults apiece in the first round, Sofia and Tara Gower went head to head in the jump off. Tara picked up a few faults in the jump off with Quintress Ula V GNZ, leaving the door wide open for Sofia who opted for a steadier clear that handed her the win.
The Brave Pants Company Pro Am, locally supported by Greymouth Petroleum, saw a fast and furious jump off, with six combinations battling it out for the title. Parys Marshall and Haupouri Evandro NZPH set the standard with a clear round, picking up just the one time penalty, before Samantha Megchelse cleared all the fences and completed the course within the time allowed riding Rata Mill Eclipse. Lucy Fell gave it her all and had the title in her sights, she was well up on the clock aboard her feisty Faratona STS, but the last rail fell to the floor to see her finish in third place and Samantha was crowned the North Island Champion.
The Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider, locally supported by Lease Solutions (NZ) Ltd, saw another competitive jump off with seven heading into the jump off, and five of those jumping a double clear. It was Kirsten Worker and Lilah’s day, as they sped through the flags in 30.90, almost exactly one second clear of Nigel Horton riding Mandalay Cove who came in second. Charlotte Miles rounded out the podium in the saddle of Gothenburg.
Young Cruze Du Plessis ticked off another goal when he was victorious in the Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider, locally supported by Lease Solutions (NZ) Ltd. He jumped the sole double clear on Mosaic II, second place went to Chloe Armstrong and Double J Celine on four faults, with Hannah McConnell aboard Charlton Elite coming in third after they cleared all the obstacles, but picked up four time faults.
Daniella Jelliman took home the title in the AMS Saddlery Pony Grand Prix, locally sponsored by Hanover Plumbing. Both Daniella, riding Tallyho Scoundrel, and Lottie Bull aboard TCG Centadel, jumped a double clear, but Daniella’s time could not be beaten. These two young ladies are currently on equal points at the top of the series leaderboard, so the next couple of shows will be very exciting! Mei Chin picked up third place on Callie with their four fault jump off round.
Sarah West and Schecter (Hector van d’Abdijhoeve x Sofee/Powerfee, bred by Vicki Prendergast) won the NZPH Seven Year Old Breeding Series title, locally supported by Coastal Medical Healthcare and Skin on 45, with the only clear round. Kylee McCambridge left all the rails standing, but just missed out on forcing a jump off by picking up two time faults on Waitangi Starlink. Hannah Roil came in third with a four fault round on Grassendale Xtreme.
Carissa McCall and Churro Ego Z (Carthago Z x Popsicle Ego Z/Parco, bred by Ego Summersea) were the winners of the New Zealand Warmblood Association Six Year Old Breeding Series, locally supported by Craigs Investment Partners, with a speedy double clear. Chloe Armstrong came in second place on Double J Celine (ES Kalaska x Double J Whitney/Repicharge, bred by Wendy Jacobs, they also jumped a double clear, but couldn’t catch Carissa’s time.
The young stars put on a display in the East Coast Performance Five Year Old Breeding Series, with five combinations jumping a double clear. Lucy Fell certainly had a smile on her face when she finished at the top of the leaderboard on her homebred, Away Laughing (Eden du Rouet x Enja MVNZ/Cassini II). Current leaders of the series, Luce Williams and Jingo ECPH (Jardonnay VDL x Cincinnati ECPH/Cassiano, bred by East Coast Performance Horses) finished in second place, and Vicki Prendergast rode her homebred Salvador C (Carrera VDL x Sofee/Powerfee) to third place. These three combinations are also filling the top three spaces on the series leaderboard currently, so it will be all to play for at the Series Finals!
The North Island Four Year Old Championship, locally supported by Craig’s Investment Partners, was won by Chacco Annette ZF (Chacco Silver x Ajaccio NZPH/Calvaro Z, bred by Aria Small) in the capable hands of Brooke Edgecombe. Morgan Baddeley was second on KF Big Tom (Comthago VDL x LT Holst Elle Star/Big Star, bred by Kokako Farms), and third place went to Tanya Hansen on Finesse VF (Diamant de Semilly x Denise I/Indoctro, bred by Vista Farm).
Leah Harre won the Main-Events 1.20m Tertiary Series on Kaipara Hold Up, and Emma Gaze won the North Island 1.20-1.30m Speed Championship title on Kowhai Bug.
Taranaki Area Delegate, Nakeysha Dickey riding Flamenco. Photo Credit to Denise Flay Photography
A big effort went into putting on such a fantastic show, and all credit goes to the Taranaki Equestrian Jumping Committee and the volunteers. Here’s what they had to say about a successful North Island Championships:
“The North Island Show Jumping and Show Hunter Championships proved to be a tremendous success this year, with riders, supporters, and officials enjoying several memorable days of jumping hosted by Taranaki Equestrian Jumping. Set against beautiful weather, the championships showcased the very best of North Island talent across both show jumping and show hunter classes. The excellent grass footing and carefully prepared grounds provided competitors with an outstanding surface to jump on. A great deal of credit must go to the course builders, whose thoughtfully designed tracks challenged riders while encouraging flowing, competitive rounds. Their work ensured exciting competition across all levels and produced some outstanding jump-offs and call backs in the show hunter ring. Beyond the competition arena, the event also captured the spirit that makes equestrian sport so special. A relaxed barbecue evening and the ever-popular dog racing and kids games brought competitors, families, and supporters together, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The positive camaraderie on display throughout the show reflected the strong community that surrounds the sport. Events of this scale rely on the dedication of many people, and Taranaki Equestrian Jumping extends sincere thanks to the officials and volunteers whose time, professionalism, and enthusiasm helped the championships run so smoothly. Their efforts behind the scenes ensured competitors could focus on producing their best performances. A special acknowledgement must also go to the generous sponsors whose continued support makes events like the North Island Championships possible. Their contribution plays a vital role in sustaining and growing equestrian sport in the region. With fantastic competition, wonderful weather, and a strong sense of community, the championships were a true celebration of our wonderful sport. Thank you to all of the competitors that came to support our show.”
Sapphire Seals the Win
Down south, the mainlanders flocked to Canterbury, who hosted their annual Premier Championship show.
Katie Meredith picked up some valuable points in the Property Brokers Grand Prix, locally supported by Kiwi Conveyancing Services, with a win on Sapphire SSNZ. Katie jumped a clear second round to finish on the six faults carried over from the first round, as did Tamara Silcock riding Edward NZPH, who finished on their first round score of ten, for second place.
Ruby Rae-Wood won the FMG Young Rider, locally supported by Syncroflex on TMS Annabella with the only clear round. Cara Quinn left all the sticks up on Delphine NZPH, but two time faults left them in second place. Rose Alfeld also jumped the sole clear in The Brave Pants Company Pro Am, locally supported by The Dental Vet, to take out the class on Copabella Camouflage, as did Jackie Wear on Zola CSNZ in the Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider to take out the win.
Eva Wylaars and Maygen Gubb went head to head in the Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider jump off where both jumped a double clear. Eva stopped the clock in 50.47 to win the class on Centanna II, with Maygen and PL Fox D’Amour coming in second with their time of 52.65.
It was a winning day for the Wylaars family, as older sister Johanna also took out the NZPH Seven Year Old Breeding Series, locally supported by Canterbury Saddlery, aboard Demietta (Daminos x Octavia Queen/Don Quattro), with the only clear round.
Two shared the prize pool in the New Zealand Warmblood Association Six Year Old Breeding Series, with both Molly Buist Brown riding SLE Limoncello (Pennsylvania x NVME/ Voltaire II, bred by Jan Hunt) and Summer Borrie aboard Aerial’s Airline Alley (Chacco Silver x Maria/ Ngahiwi One Eye, bred by Warwick and Fraser Tombleson) jumping a double clear.
For full results go to: www.evoevents.co.nz
10 March 2026
The Jumping Team