Riders saddened by HOY Show cancellation

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

The equestrian community has been saddened to hear the final show many had been working towards this season has been cancelled due to Covid-19.

The Land Rover Horse of the Year Show, typically held in March, has been the goal of the season for many riders, who will have spent months travelling to shows near and far to qualify.

Many local riders had a strong latter part of the season so will be disappointed at not being able to attend, although they will understand the decision was not made lightly.

The Eastern Bay Trimming and Mulching Opotiki Show held at Waitangi Day weekend was strongly supported by Gisborne riders, who enjoyed great jumping along with the novelty of swimming their horses in the river once the riding was done.

Kirsty Harnett and her mount Ngahiwi Prince had a great show and came home with wins in the derby, the 1.15m and the amateur class. As a combination they have gone from strength to strength this season.

Harnett, a self-proclaimed “late starter”, never thought she would be jumping these heights, which proves dreams do come true.

Georgie Coop and her mounts had a busy show, competing in both showjumping and show hunter classes as well as the derby on Sunday.

Billy the Kid came away with a win, two seconds and a fourth in the show hunter ring and was first-equal in the 60cm derby. Little Macintosh had a fifth in a hunter class, a win and a third in the showjumping and a first-equal placing in the 80cm derby.

Iyve Speirs and her ponies also competed in both the showjumping and show hunter, with several placings in both disciplines. They included a fourth placing in the 1.05m championship and two seconds in others. It was her first opportunity to jump in Ring 1, which is a great experience for any rider, and one she will remember.

The McEwan sisters were both in the ribbons. Molly, on Buffalo Man, won two show hunter classes and placed third in another. They also were second in a showjumping class and had fun on the derby course with two clear rounds.

Elder sister Brooke was sixth in the Welcome Stakes 1.05m class and had a clear round in the derby on Ulysses.

Larina Dolman and Kiwi Lansing had another win in the ESNZ Harrison Lane Pro Am Series, which they are leading. Dolman had a win and a second on her other horse, Floriant DHU.

Jess McCann had a great show on her ponies with a win and several second placings in championship classes on Colours of Lansing. She placed third and fifth on her other ride, Galaxy Knight.