InFocus

Super Line-up of Internationals at Takapoto

  New Zealand’s most celebrated boutique show has again attracted a stellar line-up of the very best horses and riders from both sides of the Tasman. Takapoto Estate Show Jumping gets underway on Thursday at its very picturesque grounds on the shores of Lake Karapiro.  It’s no surprise there’s so much interest, with riders vying for more than $306,500 in prize money across the two weeks of competition. The first week has attracted 435 horses, with 397....

ADVERTISE YOUR HORSE or PONY FOR SALE NOW AND

ISPYHORSES WILL FEATURE YOUR LISTING throughout the week of HOY via Facebook, Instagram and The LookBook newsletter.

If your horse/pony is listed for sale on iSpyHorses as a Premium or Super Feature Listing and is competing at HOY, we will feature your success and further promote your advertisement.

Our equestrian specialist, professional photographer, Trewey Black, will be at HOY 2020 capturing your special moments. 

CONDITIONS APPLY - Please email....

When Lily Tootill was 6 years old, she would find anything resembling a show jump, including the laundry basket, and set up a course of jumps in her Herne Bay city backyard and proceed to jump them on her two legs at a gait something like a canter.  We probably all remember cantering around the playground, neighing, jumping imaginary jumps, but not many of us, from NZ anyway, went on to successfully show jump internationally on our beloved, real horse.   From this early age of 6, Lily, displayed her unwavering passion for horses and, supported by her parents, she was given her first pony, Twinkle.  At Lily’s first ribbon day, Twinkle did an enormous....

PICTURED - GAT co-founder Lucy Olphert.

 The Global Amateur Tour is back at Takapoto Estate Show Jumping and hopes are high it will be bigger and better than ever. The Tour is a standalone event at the 2020 show and co-founder Lucy Olphert is looking forward to being back at New Zealand’s leading show. “Takapoto sets itself apart from other shows around New Zealand and we set our sights on being part of it from the get-go,” says Lucy. “Last year was a....

For French course designer Michel Ismalun, it is truly a dream come true to be heading to Takapoto Estate Show Jumping this year.

A writer, trainer and former rider, Michel has designed the world over, including as part of the team for the FEI World Equestrian Games in 2014 in his home country, but until now, New Zealand had never made the list . . . not through lack of wanting though. However, four years ago he met Takapoto show director Jaime Tiller when she was riding and he was designing at Angelstone in Canada. “I guess she enjoyed my tracks,” says Michel. “I will thank her forever for inviting me to Takapoto.” Angelstone is considered....

The Kiwis ruled in the Trans-Tasman Young Rider Test and Hawke’s Bay riders dominated Grand Prix classes at the Larsen Sawmilling Jumping and Show Hunter Championships in Gisborne today. The New Zealanders ended up with 17 points from the three days of competition against their Australian counterparts, with the visitors on nine after finishing second each time. Captain Ally Carson (Putaruru) led from the front collecting just eight faults over the six rounds aboard three different horses, making her the cleanest rider in the event. She congratulated the visitors and said she was going home “as one happy kid”. Competitors all rode borrowed horses for the....

Tickets are flying out the door to the VIP events at the fast-approaching Takapoto Estate Show Jumping. The two-week equestrian event is known for quality – whether that be in competition, entertainment or wining and dining. Get together a group of friends, entertain corporate clients or bring the family and make the most of this incredible event that brings a taste of European showjumping to the shores of Lake Karapiro. If it’s glitz and glamour you are after, then the APL Cocktail Function (Saturday, February 29) is where you need to be. Demand is high for this top-notch event which is held in the luxurious Bellevue Arena Marquee. Enjoy a glass of bubbles, with walk....

"Old Bill was what we called him. He ended up living quite near to where I had my forge. He was originally from Tokoroa way. He’d been battered and flogged as a youngster when they were making him pull the heavy logs out of the bush. They were clearing the land and tree felling. Thinning out the bush and making forestry blocks. They used horses a lot down there in the seventies anyway. And eighties. That’s when he would have learned to mistrust people. Very much so! Someone had him on Waiheke Island after that and they couldn’t handle him. They probably bought him as a riding horse or maybe to pull a cart and they couldn’t manage him. Then he ended up....