Young Aussie & Kiwi Stars of the Future on Show at Hawkes Bay (NZ)

By: Diana Dobson/ESNZ

All roads lead to Hawke’s Bay this week for the Fernhill Stud Young Horse Championships, an event considered the showcase for future stars of showjumping.

And it’s a double header too, with a New Zealand young rider team taking on their peers from New South Wales in a Trans Tasman Challenge over the three days. 

The show, which has attracted nearly 350 entries from all over the country, starts on Friday and runs through until Sunday at the Hawke’s Bay Showgrounds.

Age group national titles for four, five, six and seven year olds are on the line, and the show will also feature series classes in the young rider, junior and pro amateur divisions.

Organisers say the show is the perfect opportunity to highlight the breeding and progression of New Zealand’s young showjumping horses.

Gary Sinclair (Wellington) will be building in ring one, with Heather McDonald (Manawatu) in ring two.

The New Zealand team comprises Luke Dee (Ocean Beach) who also rode for the senior team in the recent test against Australia, Jesse Linton (Hawke’s Bay), Logan Massie (Dannevirke) and Melody Matheson (Hawke’s Bay) with Pip Howells the chef d’equipe.

The New South Wales team features Clint Beresford (pictured), Jack Maunder, Sarah-Louise McMillan, James Arkins and Horsezone's Tim Dreverman as chef d’equipe.

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