Taupō kicks off horse trials season
Taupō’s Codie White will be competing in the top class this weekend. Photo : www.takethemoment.co.nz
Taupō’s Codie White will be competing in the top class this weekend. Photo : www.takethemoment.co.nz
The first major horse trials event of the 2025-26 season takes place at the Fiber Fresh National Equestrian Centre, Aratiatia, Taupō, on Saturday and Sunday, with top combinations entered from throughout the North Island.
By Virginia Caro
Sponsored by Treadlight NZ, six levels of competition are being staged, so both young and inexperienced as well as the most seasoned and successful will be gathering to start their competition year.
Tich Massey, from Hunua, is charged with designing the cross-country courses to both encourage and challenge each level.
The two top level trials are being run under FEI (International ) rules, providing the chance for horse and rider to qualify for international eventing competitions.
Much interest surrounds potential internationals after the winter break, during which an emphasis is placed on training.
The nine entrants in the CCI4* contain both current and former national title holders, including Carys McCrory on Nemesis, who won the National Three-day Event in Christchurch at Easter weekend. Carys, from Hawkes Bay, is a former Young Rider champion who has stepped up to senior level without missing a beat.
The current Young Rider, Mackenzie Marlo, from Auckland, is tackling the 4* with two horses, CHS Diplomat and DSE Presley, having won Young Rider titles on both of them.
Former national champions Christen Lane, Charlotte Penny, and Donna Edwards Smith are riding up-and-coming horses they hope will be future champions
There is one local rider in the top class, Codie White riding Small Talk KSNZ, who is expected to be competitive after good performances last season.
The dressage and showjumping take place on Saturday, and the cross-country on Sunday. Food and drinks are available at the venue, entry is free, and spectators are welcome.