Local team triumphs at top level

 

The Farmlands-sponsored Horse of the Year Show has been held in Hawke's Bay for 16 years, growing at a phenomenal rate to become the largest equestrian event in the Southern Hemisphere.

The show is home to 17 different equestrian disciplines all competing for the title of Farmlands Horse of the Year within their section.

Both equestrian and non-equestrian people can come and experience the excitement of the showjumping and eventing competitions with the beauty of the showing and dressage classes, the delicacy of the miniatures with the might of the gentle giants, the Clydesdales.

This year local riders made up part of the area team competing as Waitemata/Rodney representatives in the New Zealand Pony Clubs Association (NZPCA) team showjumping event.

The NZPCA has grown to encompass 16 areas with 81 clubs and 238 branches throughout New Zealand which can make for some fierce show jumping competition when all four team members have to measure up, which our team did, progressing into the top five who then competed in the main arena.

Keeping the pressure on, the Waitemata/Rodney team triumphed in an exciting competition showing that the north can foot it with the best of them.

Local lass Teresa Underwood lives and works on the family dairy farm at Maungaturoto which gives her the opportunity to pursue her chosen sport and is also a great environment for developing a show horse given the variety that the environment offers. Her number one horse, Highlight Girl, was the one chosen for the team and while she does some dressage Teresa’s main focus is showjumping and show hunter events.

The team consisted of two hacks and two ponies. The other hack rider was Briar Woolley of Wellsford and the pony riders were Emily Stroobant and Katana Cawley.

RED RIBBON: The winning Waitemata/Rodney team from left, on horses – Teresa Underwood on Highlight Girl, Briar Woolley on Wishme Andreas, Emily Stroobant on Jambalaya, and Katana Cawley on Too Much Pizzazz. On the ground, Antoinette Leuthard (manager), Jaimie Campbell (coach), Marj Steiner (WR area president).