Hot competiton

7 May

By Virginia Caro

Carys McCrory on Nemesis. Photo: www.takethemoment.co.nz

The 2026 New Zealand Three-day Event returns to Taupō on May 14-17, following last year’s event in the South Island.

Sponsored by Taupō Equestrian Supplies, the national titles titles will be keenly contested at the Fiber Fresh National Equestrian Centre, Aratiatia, with competitors from throughout New Zealand hoping to catch the selectors eyes as well as win a top title.

Last year’s winner, Carys McCrory on Nemesis, from Hawkes Bay, will be defending her title.

Recently returned from Adelaide, where they were members of the New Zealand team at the Oceania Championships, they are in top form, being the only combination to complete the cross-country there inside the optimum time.

Other members of that team to compete at Taupō will be Aucklander Bridie Quigley on Oranoa Greyson, and South Islander Rebecca Wardle on Dingmac Eccles.

The very experienced former international Donna Edwards-Smith on DSE Gotta Dash is sure to be very competitive, so there is all to play for.

Designing the cross-country course for the two top classes this year is John Holmes, from Hastings, who will bring fresh ideas, having attended an international workshop on course designing in Melbourne last year.

Campbell Draper, Putaruru, returns as the designer of the other two title classes.

Non-championship classes at the lower levels has resulted in a big entry of over 200 horses. Dressage takes place on Friday, along with showjumping for the non-championship classes.

Saturday is cross-country day for all classes, and the four title classes will showjump after the veterinary inspection on Sunday.

The New Zealand Young Event Horse Championship will be judged on Sunday morning and has attracted a quality field of 4- and 5-year-old horses hoping to impress with their potential.

They perform a short dressage test before jumping a mix of cross-country and showjumping fences, then a short gallop precedes a conformation inspection. This provides an ideal shop window, with sales to overseas interests as well as local buyers.