Thinking outside the square has paid off for organisers of the McEntee Events Hire Wairarapa showjumping and show hunter championships to be held at Masterton's Solway Showgrounds over Labour Weekend.
In a bid to increase entries they decided to run a super league show which offers more money, as wellas national series table points, and received a huge response, with more than 360 horses and ponies competing over the three days,.
The main event is the Bomac Super league series class which will see participants jump to a maximum height of 1.60m. They will be chasing prize money of $3000 and the winner will receive the Little Avondale Tray, first presented by the Williams family in 1995. Riders sure to make an impact are Phillip and Sally Steiner from Tauranga, Maurice Beatson from Dannevirke, Bernard Denton from Gisborne, Robert Steele from Hawera and Lisa Couple from Kumeu.
The big class of the show for ponies is the JLT Bloodstock Pony Grand Prix which has drawn a quality field of 14 who jump to a maximum height of 1.35m. Local combination Morgan Percy and Surprise Illusion will be against opposition from Taupo, Hunterville, Waipukurau, Whangarei, Hawke's Bay, Levin and Auckland.
Another event which has drawn plenty of support is the Andrew Tulloch Contracting Wairarapa Speedstakes. It will be the last class on the Sunday afternoon and course builder Gary Sinclair is sure to test the 25 participants.
Nicki Booth on Roulez Rouge and Seven Up, and Anna Stephen on Constantine and Morningside should give locals something to cheer about.
A full range of series classes will also be run, including the 4, 5, 6 and 7-year-old age series, the amateur, pro am, junior and young rider series and various height classes. Many well-performed Wairarapa riders such as Sarah Falloon, Geneva and Phoebe Topp, Kristen Maxwell, Jane Warren, Cara McMillan, Gabby Vollebregt, Jo and Milly Cudmore and Charlie and Henry Booth will compete.
