InFocus

Sixteen year old New Zealand rider Katie Bridgeman is making waves as she excels on the showjumping circuit this season. After three consecutive wins on her pony Tallyho Scoundrel at Pony Grand Prix level, the pair were looking to be unbeatable. They placed first at Fielding Spring Show, Equidays and at the Royal A&P Show in Hawkes Bay. They have remained in the top placings at their following two events, placing fourth in the PGP at both the Wairarapa Premier Show and Manawatu A & P. The pair are currently first equal on the leader board in the ESNZ Jumping Annual Series 2019-20 Country TV Pony Grand Prix.

Katie is absolutely rapt with her recent success, her most....

Regular people readily engage in the use of fireworks in NZ.  Other regular people are appalled by this.  There is a clear divide between those for and those against.  And in the midst is a government that at best appears disinterested, at worst is ill-informed and will not risk losing votes by taking a stand one way or the other.  And so it goes on, year after year the lives of people, horses, stock, dogs, cats, birds etc, etc, are put at great risk.  And the carnage that is often the result, is created by reguar people with reguar big smiles, having a great night out with not a thought for the likely ill-effects.

It may be good to have a....

During the weekend, Pryde's Easifeed Australian Jumping Championships Show took place at Boneo Park, Victoria. Seventeen year old, Sally Simmonds and her mount Chio MS, were one of the combinations competing.  The two have only recently paired together, but looked as though they have been a team for much longer, as they flew around the tough course to place second in the competitive Horseland Australian Junior Championship Final.  The stunning grey, rising seven-year old gelding was bred and produced by Matawhio Sporthorses and he is sired by the outstanding oldenberg stallion, Chacco Silver.

Matawhio Sporthorses are successful New Zealand breeders....

Thoroughbreds are one of the most common breeds of horse found in New Zealand.  They are extremely versatile and have proven to be successful in many disciplines.  So why are many people reuctant to buy them?  In the Equestrian world there appears to be a stigma around purchasing thoroughbreds, particularly when they are off the track.  A classic example is Merlo, currently for sale via iSpyHorses. He was an off the track thoroughbred but is now a  2* eventing schoolmaster.  He is as experienced, safe and as uncomplicated as they come.  His advertisement has received over two thousand views, yet he still hasn’t sold.   So what....

The sun was shining at Tuakau Pony Club last night as members and coaches gathered for a weekly rally. Nicholaas Duin (6) and Chelsea Duin (4) were two of the lucky young riders to participate on their lovely ponies, Rosie and Wizard. Chelsea was especially excited as it was her first rally on Wizard, who she only started riding recently. After meeting her last week her interest in riding has sparked, it was love at first sight. The riders set off into the arena for an entertaining lesson of weaving through cones, zipping down trotting poles and mounted games. Their Mother Kristen stated “We are incredibly lucky to have such fantastic ponies for our children to learn to ride”....

It was a beautiful weekend up at Barge Showgrounds Events Centre. Equestrians travelled from all over the North Island to set up camp and compete at the annual Eventing Northland Horse Trials two day event. Fifteen year old Ella Simpson and her mount Holy Hek (Party Mix) were one of the talented combinations out chasing a rosette, competing in the Oranoa Sport Horses CCN 105 Young Rider class. On Saturday they were placed 3rd after a tidy dressage test and speedy, clear show jumping round. Therefore on Sunday the pressure was on to go clear in the cross country phase. The pair flew around the course, finishing undertime to place 2nd overall in the ambitious class. Ella....

Meaty Cross Country Slices the Field at Burghley  

Tim Price sits in seventh place after a hugely influential day of cross country at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials in the UK. The world no.1 and defending Burghley champ had three horses on the card but only one completed the Captain Mark Phillips-designed cross country today. He was the trail blazer for the 64-strong field aboard Bango, coming home clear with 12 time faults to end the day on 41.6 penalty points. He retired Xavier Faer and was unlucky to be eliminated on his 2019 Burghley champ....

Kiwis well in Touch with Leaders at Burghley  

Three Kiwi combinations sit in the top 11 at the end of the dressage at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials in the UK, and with just 10 penalty points across the top 20, the competition is far from over. The Brits are dominating the leaderboard, with Pippa Funnell and MGH Grafton Street leading on 22.8, Oliver Townend and Ballaghmor Class in second on 25.3 and Izzy Taylor on Springpower in third on 25.6. New Zealander Jonelle Price and Faerie Dianimo are in seventh equal place on 28.4 penalty points with husband Tim in ninth equal aboard the defending champ Ringwood Sky Boy on....