Secondary Schools Equestrian Championships

Eventing: Brea Walker

Why do you love your discipline?

Cross Country, isn’t that what all eventers live for! I love the thrill of acing all 3 elements of eventing. There are so many factors to consider and it really is a science balancing the fitness, soundness, dressage and jumping!

What are you looking forward to most about being at NISS?

I love supporting the next generation. That was me not that long ago and it’s so exciting seeing how this event has grown and the buzz around it now! I can’t wait to be involved.

What has helped shape you as an equestrian?

When I was grooming for Sir Mark Todd, we were over in Ireland and he was competing in the Nations Cup 4* Team. He did his final halt and salute and Leo the horse shook his bridle off in the middle of the dressage arena! Mark cracked up laughing and there is a hilarious photo of him making light of the situation! Taught me you either laugh or you cry so you may as well laugh – it happens to the best of us! Thankfully I didn’t put that horses bridle on! Phew!

Dressage: Christine Weal

Why do you love your discipline?

I love the challenge of working with different horse and rider personalities, building trust and understanding to develop balance, strength, and harmony, enabling them to perform technical movements in a harmonious way.

What are you looking forward to most about being at NISS?

Watching new combinations and young riders, competing, having fun and supporting each other.

What has helped shape you as an equestrian?

I have lots of these moments! Most of these involve travelling with the horses and competing in teams competitions – my first trip to Springston Trophy in Oamaru and my first time representing Canterbury Area PC for games both when I was 12. These were my first ‘big’ teams competitions and long trips which gave me a taste of a bigger competition and I remember being pretty wowed by all the atmosphere. I’ve also loved making the road trip up to the NI with family and friends to compete.

CTR: Juanita Duncan

Why do you love your discipline?

I love endurance, because anyone who rides a horse can compete. If a rider wants to challenge themselves and their horse, they can. If they just want to ride in a beautiful part of the country, they can.  If they just want to ride in a beautiful part of the country, they can. They can either compete at shorter distances with CTR and/or with endurance they can go through the novice system and then compete up to 160K’s. It is a sport anyone and everyone enjoys. We also get to ride in such beautiful parts of the country, many places that not many people get to see.

What are you looking forward to most about being at NISS?

Seeing all the young people on their horses all shapes and sizes of horse, try CTR and hopefully encourage them to come to rides happening around New Zealand. I also love showing them what happens to their horses heartrate after a ride.

What has helped shape you as an equestrian?

We breed our horses for endurance and so we just love seeing our horses and their riders out there being ridden for what we breed them for, becoming open in endurance and then competing in rides from 20-160k’s.

Dressage: Katy Payne

Why do you love your discipline?

I love dressage for the horse-rider connection, its elegance, and the endless room to improve, since perfection is never truly possible.

What are you looking forward to most about being at NISS?

Supporting young riders trying out dressage and wanting to have a go! I’m really looking forward to be an ambassador and can’t wait to support riders at NISS! My aim is to make them feel welcomed and enjoy it!

What has helped shape you as an equestrian?

Being selected to compete for NZ at the Livamol World Dressage Challenge it was the biggest highlight of my career to date. Also having the opportunity to have work experience at the Hughes International dressage yard, shown me a new perspective on the detail and effort they put into the horses. Learning new strategies and techniques for success and improving!

Jumping: Kirsten Hence

Why do you love your discipline?

I love SJ because it is super thrilling to try and complete a course to the best of your and your horse’s ability. The tracks and jumps vary all the time and the rules are black and white. You can have lots of fun challenging yourselves with the speed in jump offs and speed classes too.

What are you looking forward to most about being at NISS?

I love working with our upcoming show jumpers because it’s so cool watching their confidence grow and seeing them light up after a good ride. Helping them find their rhythm in showjumping reminds me why I started too.

What has helped shape you as an equestrian?

I can’t choose a most memorable moment but I’ll never get used to the feeling of going through the finish flags, patting my horse, and knowing we’ve just ticked off another goal.

Dressage: Samantha Belsham

Why do you love your discipline?

I love Dressage because it allows me to create a partnership with my horse. Every movement is a quiet conversation built on trust, patience and respect. There’s something deeply fulfilling about the challenge of refining the finer details, showing your horse’s power while still striving for grace and harmony together. I find training horses very rewarding and love the journey each horse takes me on.

What are you looking forward to most about being at NISS?

I’m excited to be involved with the NISS and look forward to helping inspire more riders to discover a passion for dressage. I hope to be a friendly and approachable face, offering support and encouragement to young riders.

What has helped shape you as an equestrian?

A memorable moment in my career so far has was winning 3 Titles at the National Dressage Championships 2025, including Young Rider Champion, Preliminary Champion and 5yr Young Horse Champion. Another memorable moment was winning Young Rider Champion at Horse of The Year 2025.

Games: Sophie Daly

Why do you love your discipline?

Mounted games is fast paced and action packed while being inclusive of all ages and backgrounds of riders.

What are you looking forward to most about being at NISS?

Sharing my knowledge and love for the sport.

What has helped shape you as an equestrian?

Training my first pony for games and then watching her take younger riders up through the ranks.

Show Hunter: Stephie Joustra Smith

Why do you love your discipline?

I love Show Hunter because it rewards precision, rhythm, and polish — it’s about producing a round that looks effortless and stylish. As a perfectionist, I enjoy the challenge of refining every detail to get as close to a perfect round as possible.

What are you looking forward to most about being at NISS?

I’m really looking forward to mentoring young riders — helping them develop not just their skills, but their confidence and feel for the sport. After stepping back from competition to focus on raising my three children and bringing on young horses, it feels like the right time to give back to a discipline that has played such a big part in my life.

What has helped shape you as an equestrian?

I’ve been competing in Show Hunter since I was 14 and have been fortunate to win multiple Horse of the Year titles. One particularly memorable moment was winning a Horse of the Year title just nine weeks after having my oldest daughter, Stella, via C-section — proof that being a mum doesn’t mean you can’t still perform at your best. It was a powerful reminder of the commitment and resilience the sport demands.

Dressage: Anthea Dixon

Why do you love your discipline?

The constant pursuit of harmony and building a partnership with your horse, there is nothing better than being at one with your horse and trusting each other.

What are you looking forward to most about being at SISS?

Being able to support young riders to start their dressage journey.

What has helped shape you as an equestrian?

Learning to read and understand my horses through learning T Touch and Masterson Method. This brings greater awareness to what my horses are thinking and feeling, which makes me a more understanding and empathetic rider and owner. Its powerful stuff!

Eventing: Cam Robertson

Why do you love your discipline?

I enjoy the challenge of having to perfect 3 disciplines for one competition. I love going to new venues and seeing if all the training has lead to a good result.

What are you looking forward to most about being at SISS?

Honestly, probably the food. And hopefully it not raining.

What has helped shape you as an equestrian?

Horses and working in the industry had taken me around to world. So just anytime I get to experience something cool in a far away place that’s horse related is cool.

Games: Courtney Ashton

Why do you love your discipline?

I love the adrenaline rush, how you feel after a good race, the people, the partnership you create with your pony and everything about it.

What are you looking forward to most about being at SISS?

I’m looking forward to getting more people in to the sport, and being a part of it.

What has helped shape you as an equestrian?

Otago Indis Championships in Palmerston, I won my first individuals championship, got to ride down the beach everyday, and strengthened me and my pony’s bond.

Games: Gemma Lewis

Why do you love your discipline?

I love mounted games because it’s a great mix of technique, speed and working on adjustability and manoeuvrability of my ponies. I also love getting to ride in a pair/with a team and having a great time together.

What are you looking forward to most about being at SISS?

I competed in SISS when I was at school and its great to see that games has been included for the first time. I look forward to encouraging riders new to games to give it a try and have some fun!

What has helped shape you as an equestrian?

I have lots of these moments! Most of these involve travelling with the horses and competing in teams competitions – my first trip to Springston Trophy in Oamaru and my first time representing Canterbury Area PC for games both when I was 12. These were my first ‘big’ teams competitions and long trips which gave me a taste of a bigger competition and I remember being pretty wowed by all the atmosphere. I’ve also loved making the road trip up to the NI with family and friends to compete.

Jumping: Katie Gerrets

Why do you love your discipline?

I really love show jumping because it’s such a buzz and always keeps me on my toes. I love the connection with my horse and the feeling of nailing a round together. It’s just the best mix of fun, challenge, and adrenaline!!

What are you looking forward to most about being at SISS?

I love working with our upcoming show jumpers because it’s so cool watching their confidence grow and seeing them light up after a good ride. Helping them find their rhythm in showjumping reminds me why I started too.

What has helped shape you as an equestrian?

I can’t choose a most memorable moment but I’ll never get used to the feeling of going through the finish flags, patting my horse, and knowing we’ve just ticked off another goal.

Dressage: Louise Duncan

Why do you love your discipline?

Because it’s built on the incredible connection between horse and rider — two bodies, one heart, moving in perfect harmony. It’s a silent language of trust, feel, and mutual respect, where every step reflects the partnership you’ve built. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of dancing together as one — and the beauty is, you’re always learning, always growing together.

What are you looking forward to most about being at SISS?

I’m most looking forward to helping our sport grow by supporting and inspiring the next generation of riders. Being involved with South Island Secondary Schools through Equestrian Sport NZ is a chance to help create pathways for young riders, share knowledge, and build a strong, inclusive community where talent and passion can thrive.

What has helped shape you as an equestrian?

Born into a horsey family—with Mum riding Grand Prix Dressage and Dad a farrier—it was only natural that I ended up in the saddle. I got my first pony, Panda, at age 3, and honestly preferred riding to walking! A truly unforgettable and defining moment in my journey came after I contracted meningitis and suffered a stroke, which left me paralysed from the neck down. I was told by doctors that I’d never walk again—let alone ride. But sitting on Mum’s Grand Prix horse, Hunniman, for the first time after that diagnosis was a turning point I’ll never forget. With Mum and Dad helping me into the saddle and holding me steady, I felt an overwhelming mix of nerves, hope, and gratitude. In that moment, Hunniman gave me more than just a ride—he gave me back a piece of myself. He stood calmly and patiently, helping me feel safe, capable, and “normal” again. That ride was the beginning of accepting my new normal. Horses have an incredible way of healing, and I’ll always be grateful—for my parents’ unwavering support, for Hunniman’s incredible healing abilities , and for all the wonderful horses since who have looked after me, helped me grow, and reminded me how lucky I am to have this second chance and the incredible bond between horse and rider.

CTR: Marga Marshall

Why do you love your discipline?

Spending time with my horses and friends for many hours are some of the best things in life! I enjoy working towards goals, the excitement of competing, learning all the time and I feel so fortunate to get to see beautiful parts of the country.

What are you looking forward to most about being at SISS?

Helping riders on the day and get them excited about our wonderful sport.

What has helped shape you as an equestrian?

While they were not all fun, the many tumbles as a kid, the times were things didn’t quite go as hoped, the many adventures, learning from experiences and from others, and never giving up are all helping me along the way!

Show Hunter: Robyn Woods

Why do you love your discipline?

Show Hunter is the best place for all riders to learn about jumping. It helps produce good thinking riders. Just so wish it was around when I was young.

What are you looking forward to most about being at SISS?

Being the quiet “Mother Hen” to all riders. Helping riders before disaster starts. Providing solutions for the riders and team Manager/Coach.

What has helped shape you as an equestrian?

Ahh the light bulb moments over the years when a rider gets what Show Hunter is all about. Watching and helping a very young rider begin her show hunter journey at age 7, to now aged 23 possibly being the Show Hunter Queen of Equitation and Show Hunter in general.

Dresssage: Seija Parkkali-Glew

Why do you love your discipline?

I love dressage because when it’s done right you get the most amazing feeling of dancing with your horse. It’s a challenging discipline that involves patience, structure and a positive bond with your horse; there is no cutting corners. 

What are you looking forward to most about being at SISS?

I competed myself, over 20 years ago, at the SI Interschools Dressage and Eventing competitions. It is a fantastic initiative to have this multi-discipline event to foster a more inclusive rider community, so I really look forward to being back to support this year’s riders.

What has helped shape you as an equestrian?

I have so many memorable moments, but I think one that I have never forgotten was my first outing with a young horse, Leo, to the NEC at Mcleans Island . He was confused about the brief, that we weren’t at a saddle bronc show, and after a good go finally ejected me in the middle of my dressage test. He taught me patience, perseverance and how to train a horse – eventually to success at FEI level. Never give up!!!