Rangi Ruru Showjumpers Win Top Spot at Regional Champs

The Rangi Ruru “Gold” Equestrian Show Jumping team has been placed first at the Canterbury Interschools Champs held on Wednesday at the National Equine Centre on McLeans Island.

Having last won this competition in 2008 and up against an extremely strong field of 30 teams, with many nationally competitive rider, Rangi Ruru Girls’ School Equestrian Coach Pippa Young says the win underscores the exceptional talent the school has coming through.

“These girls are New Zealand quality showjumpers and we have a large number of new riders coming in who are taking up the reins when the older riders finish at Rangi and move on,” she says. “We have increasing strength clearly coming through at all levels.”

A second Rangi Ruru team with members from Years 9 through 12 (Blue Team), competed strongly.

The winning Rangi Ruru team was Annabelle Jones (Year 9, from Lumsden); Brianna Bailey (Year 11 from Amberley), Leah Zydenbos (Year 10 from Darfield) and Florence Tapley who is team captain (Year 13 from Pigeon Bay).

Young says there was some “lovely riding” during the day with many competing in ¹Show Hunter classes for the first time. Alexis Harmon (from Kaikoura) a member of the Blue Team was fourth in the Equitation amongst all riders and won the Year Nine Show Hunter class.

“These girls are focused. They know what they can achieve and they work extremely hard to get there, as individuals and as a team,” she says.

Rangi Ruru is into its third year of offering Equine Studies to students, supported by enabling girls to “bring their horse to school” during the school year.

The next key event on the equestrian calendar for Rangi Ruru is the Canterbury Dressage competition at McLeans Island, about which Pippa Young is optimistic.

“We have the riders who could look very good this year,” she says.

¹ http://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/jumping/about/about-show-hunter/

ENDS                                                                 

For more information, please contact Ali Jones on 027 247 3112.

The Equestrian Programme at Rangi Ruru Girls’ School: www.rangiruru.school.nz/equestrian

Rangi Ruru is the only girls’ school in the South Island with a dedicated programme that combines equine studies with riding ambitions.

Recent Successes

Rangi Ruru riders have won all the inter-school trophies over recent years and have competed successfully as individuals in all disciplines. Recently our riders have been successful as:

·         Winners of the Canterbury Secondary Schools Dressage Competition, including individual honours for riders, 2012 and 2013.

·         Winners of the A Grade section at the International SUPA (Schools and Universities Polo Association) Competition, including Most Valuable Player, 2012.

Rangi Ruru riders are well respected within the equestrian community as highly skilled riders and competitors. 

The school’s comprehensive programme provides riders with access to their horses during the regular school programme as well as expert training to develop their riding skills and participate in top level competition. Rangi’s extensive network and experience in working with leading trainers and administrators means that the school is able to provide girls with access to unmatched training facilities and opportunities.

Our agistment programme means that receiving an excellent education should not be compromised by your horse’s location as it can now come to school with you.