Interschools Crowns Go to Solway and Christchurch Girls’

Solway College Green wins the Taupo Equestrian Supplies North Island Secondary Schools Equestrian Cup. Taupo Sept 2026.

It’s not often that you would see a baby in a team photo, but the Interschools is not your average equestrian competition.  Solway College students couldn’t wait to share their smiles with their tiny team mascot when they won the North Island overall winner title at the 2026 Taupō Equestrian Supplies North Island Secondary Schools Equestrian Cup.  The winning riders included  Farrah Smith, Bridie King, Jane Shelton, Phoebe Wilkie, Caitlyn Hughes and Neve Barrett.

Christchurch Girls’ High School Red wins the South Island Secondary Schools Equestrian Cup.  Christchurch 2026. Copyright Bella Maitland Photography.

Christchurch Girls High School were jumping for joy too, returning to defend their title and becoming victors in the South Island for the second year in a row.  This year’s riders included Abbie Doncliff, Brooke Wendelken, Emilia Immler, Lola Gray, Maia Hodge and Millie Dolan.

The “Interschools” were held concurrently at the Fiber Fresh NEC in Taupō and the Dunstan Horsefeeds NEC in Christchurch during national School Sports winter tournament week, for the fifth year.

Entries  were up by between 10-11% on 2025 in both islands, with more than 800 riders from year seven to year 13 and their equines.  The largest growth was in the number of new schools entering, which increased by 36% in the North Island. 

Spectators at the Interschools. Taupo 2026. Copyright Take the Moment.

Equestrian Sports New Zealand General Manager of Community and Competition Jo Colin says she is pleased with the reach that was achieved this year.

“We are delighted to see so many rangitahi coming to the Interschools for the first time.  For many it’s the only opportunity they get to connect with an organised event within the equestrian sport so we’re giving them the chance to learn something new, in a safe and encouraging environment.

“For the first time this year, we had students from a military school, a deaf student competing and a para student competing.  So each year we’re expanding our reach, and making the event inclusive for school students from all backgrounds too.”

The event was sponsored in the North Island by Taupō Equestrian Supplies, and winners Solway College Green beat off stiff competition from other North Island schools to take out the overall team’s award.  Nga Tawa  Team Dalrymple were second and Strathallan Blue were third.  In the South Island, Christchurch Girls’ High School Red were overall team winners, with St Margaret’s College Red in second place and Rangi Ruru Girls School Raiders third. 

Along with the competitive side of the event, there was a keen focus on horse welfare.  The BetaVet Manaakitanga Challenge gave the schools the opportunity to vote for a peer school team that they felt strengthened the mana of horses, people and the event through positive choices and behaviours.  

In the North Island Gisborne Girls High School received the most votes and Waiuku College were runners-up.  In the South Island Marlborough Girls and Boys Colleges won the votes along with Cromwell College runners-up.

Excellence in team work and sportsmanship were also recognised, with the Treadlite Good Sports awards going to Pukekohe High School in the North, and St Hilda’s Collegiate in the South.   

The Love Racing NZTBR Best Performed Off-the-Track Thoroughbred awards went to Tactician ridden by Charli Sabine of Tuakau College, and Mazzuro ridden by Abbie Doncliff of Christchurch Girls’ High School.

“It’s just awesome to be out there among so many ponies, horse mums and dads, team managers and coaches.  But most importantly the riders’ massive smiles on the face even with a very chilly wind coming off the mountains at both venues,” says Jo.

“We’ve had some amazing volunteers standing on the side holding arenas together and some eventful moments for some of the horses as things blew past, but they all coped with it really well till the sun came out,” says Jo. 

The competition is jointly hosted by Equestrian Sports New Zealand, the New Zealand Pony Clubs Association, New Zealand Mounted Games and School Sport New Zealand.   ESNZ CEO Julian Bowden was at the Christchurch event.

“We were pleased to see the sports community getting behind the event again this year, either as officials, volunteers or sponsors. We thank them for the contribution they make, as we cannot run an event of this magnitude without their expertise and support,” says Julian.

For plenty of photos see also  ESNZ Community on Facebook and on Instagram.