WoK Sports still going strong

A GREAT DAY OUT: The 107th edition of the Waerenga-o-Kuri Sports at Tiniroto proved popular among young and older riders. This year’s sports attracted 384 entries, well up on last year. Judge Lea Goldstone of Putorino with (from left) Phoebe, Hannah Wallbank, Anna Rasmussen and Bella Collier. Pictures by Rebecca Williams

THE 107TH edition of the Waerenga-o-Kuri Sports was held at Tiniroto last weekend and there’s no sign of this famous event ending. If anything, it’s enjoying a revival in popularity. There were 384 entries this year compared with 301 in 2015.

The horse sports was once again held at long-time venue The Laurels on a warm and windy day.

It attracted competitors of all ages — locals and visitors — a number of who were there to collect points to add to their Equestrian Sport New Zealand leaderboard tallies and push for qualification for the New Zealand Horse of the Year Show.

Waerenga-o-Kuri Sports secretary Jen Herries said ESNZ’s official recognition of the event was a significant reason it was going through a resurgence.

And while it had undergone substantial change over the decades, a constant that remained as strong as ever was the social and family atmosphere.

“A family from Rotorua who attended were blown away by how friendly it is,” said Herries.

That was exemplified to its fullest by the “shared lunch”, where everyone contributed in a mass showing of hospitality.

Among the field was legendary equestrian duo Merran Hain and Untouchable. They won the open horse high points 1.10-metre class.

Other successful combinations included Jenny Randall and Nero Bello, Briar Anne Sharples and Westhay Liberty, Jessie McNeil and Porcelain Cat, and Lucy Win-Hewetson on Tangaroa and Karakia.