Te Puke students ride to regional top spots

Te Puke High School girls win Bay of Plenty horse dressage competition. From left, front: Lilli Miller, Nicole Thomas, Patrea ter Steege Front right, front: Chloe Priebe, Sammi Moody. PHOTO/GEORGE NOVAK

Te Puke High School students took out the top two spots at a Bay of Plenty Schools Dressage Championship.

Six students competed as part of two teams in Friday's event at the Tauranga race course.

It was the first time any of the Te Puke girls had competed, but they were prepared for a tough challenge from the 23 other teams from around the region.

Each team member rode two dressage tests and the best scores were combined.

The two teams placed first and second overall.

Patrea ter Steeg, 17, was thrilled to also place first and second in her class individually.

"I didn't think I was going to get what I did because I'd never done something like that before. It was a bit unexpected but it was good," she said.

"It was very exciting when we found out that [our team] had come first."

Patrea said the key was watching and learning from those who went before her.

Sammi Moody, 13, was also surprised to place first and second in her class individually.

"I thought I wasn't going to get as big a points as I did get because there was some really good riders there," she said.

"It was amazing. I was so happy with my pony, and how he did, because he's getting pretty old now. He put a lot of hard work into it."

With four years left at Te Puke High School, Sammi plans to defend their titles in future.

Manager Jane Thomas said she was really proud of the girls and the way they represented the school.

"We were quite tickled pink," she said.