Best young riders compete at Hastings Equestrian Park

The best young riders from around New Zealand will gather in Hastings to compete in the New Zealand Pony Club Horse Trials Teams Championships this weekend.

Competition in the annual event begins on Friday (26th April) at the Equestrian Park at Bridge Pa with teams of six riders from each of the 16 Pony Club areas invited to take part in the New Zealand Champs. The teams will compete over three days in the disciplines of dressage, cross country and showjumping.

Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule says “This event will bring 180 competitors along with team managers, coaches, parents and supporters into the Hastings district for a total of five days. Local businesses stand to benefit greatly from the influx of visitors and, once again, the equestrian fraternity will provide a boost to the regional economy.” 

“The Hawke’s Bay organisers of the champs have had the foresight to incorporate non-championship classes in the event for the first time. This will give more riders the opportunity to be involved in the Pony Club Champs and create an even bigger event. We hope that this will help grow the sport of horse trials in which our country has forged such a formidable international reputation,” Mr Yule says.

“The recent rain has been great for the Equestrian Park with the ground softening beautifully to provide excellent footing for the horses and the park now has excellent grass cover.”

Competitors in the NZ Pony Club Horse Trials Championships will be officially welcomed to the Equestrian Park on Thursday afternoon. The opening discipline of the champs - dressage will take place on Friday (26th); the cross country on Saturday (27th); and the champs will wrap up on Sunday morning (28th) with the showjumping phase.

More information is available at www.nzpca.org/new/horse_trials/2013/