Riders seek qualifying points

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

EQUESTRIAN

All roads lead to the Hawke’s Bay A&P Showgrounds in Hastings for local equestrians, with the Land Rover Horse of the Year running from March 12 to 17.

Several Gisborne riders have been out and about in North Island competition trying to gain final qualifying points and get as much experience under their belts before the show.

Amelia Paull and Envious Edition (owned by John Larsen) went to the Masterton A&P Show in mid-February and were placed seventh in the pony grand prix.

With Pine Hollow Alpha Gold, Paull was third in the pony 1.05m.

The following weekend, they headed to the Feilding show at Manfeild, where Envious Edition was placed sixth in the pony grand prix and Pine Hollow Alpha Gold was first in the 1m showjumping.

Merran Hain and Untouchable went to the Waikato Show Hunter Group Summer Show at the National Equestrian Centre in Taupo on February 8, 9 and 10. They placed fourth in the 1m show hunter and third and sixth in the 1.15m show hunter high points class.

Hain also did a day trip from Taupo down to the Taihape Showjumping Championships and was placed second in the amateur showjumping series class.

Fraser Tombleson and Mea I returned to Takapoto Estate Showjumping for Week 2 of their premier event. They were seventh in the Gold Tour qualifier and eighth in the Gold Tour final.