Showjumpers leaping at Northland grand prix opportunity

Barge Showgrounds is where the best showjumpers in Northland will be proving their mettle over Labour Weekend.

A total of 287 competitors and 310 horses will be in attendance, travelling from as far away as Tauranga to compete over two days of show jumping and show hunter.

Northland is one of the many stops on the national circuit where riders gain points in the National Series classes.

Organiser Heather Deane said there will be a lot of local talent on show.

"We have a lot of top Northland riders that travel the country picking up these points so it's nice for them to have the opportunity on their back door.

"We have last season's Northland Rider of the Year in Kate Hewlett competing in many classes over the weekend as well as our Hack of the Year Nakeysha Lammers who will be lining up for the FMG Young Rider, sponsored by Whangarei A&P Society on Saturday and the Dunstan Horse Feeds horse grand prix on Sunday.

"John Cottle from Clevedon, former NZ representative, will also be making the trip north to compete in the Dunstan Horse grand prix on Sunday. The Northland up and coming riders will get a chance to see some top riding in between their own classes jumping some very big fences."

The hot class of the weekend is the highly contested 1m pony championship for junior riders.

The show is open to the public with free entry. Food will be available on the grounds.

The popular pony and horse grand prix will look to start about 12pm Sunday.