Some of the nominees include (clockwise): Cooper Oborn, NZ Young Rider Team featuring Emma Gillies, LT Holst Freda, Don Vito MH, 2025 FEI Dressage World Challenge Team featuring Philippa McLeod, and Kelly Clarke.
With just over two weeks to go, the nominees have been announced for the ESNZ Hall of Fame Awards night to be held on Friday 26 June at the Chateau on the Park in Christchurch. Bookings will close next Thursday evening, 18 June at https://www.trybooking.com/nz/events/landing/19594.
And the nominees are:
2026 ESNZ RIDER OF THE YEAR:
Cooper Oborn (Dressage), Sophie Scott (Jumping), Samantha Lissington (Eventing) and Robert James (Endurance);
2026 ESNZ HORSE OF THE YEAR – INTERNATIONAL:
Don Vito MH (Dressage), Vitali (Eventing), Gangster WW (Jumping);
2026 ESNZ HORSE OF THE YEAR – NATIONAL:
Delights Crystal Prince (Endurance), LT Holst Freda (Jumping);
2026 ESNZ TEAM OF THE YEAR:
New Zealand Young Rider Team
Chef d’Equipe, Jaime Campbell Ward
Molly Moffatt (Lazarus GNZ)
Sophia Blackbourn (LT Holst Zalato Blue)
Emma Gillies (Benrose Black Jack)
Liam Rutland (Adele)
Catalina Rocco (Orietta MVNZ)
2025 FEI Dressage World Challenge
Christine Lovelady Chef d’Equipe
Philippa McLeod Donneregal
Nicki Ford Fernando MH
Kirsty Schist Epiton
Rebecca Lawrence Don Darciano
2026 ESNZ GROOM OF THE YEAR:
Brooklyn Rankin (Dressage), Molly Morgans (Dressage), Kelly Clarke (Eventing)
The Pilmer Plate – ESNZ Lifetime Volunteer/Officials Award, the ESNZ Young Persons of the Year, the 2026 ESNZ Hall Of Fame Inductees and Honorary Life Members will be announced on the night. This will be followed during the weekend by our discipline AGMs.
For more see: https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/esnz-hall-of-fame-award-recipients/