21/04/2026
Please enjoy the official event report from the weekend’s competition - albeit a little later than planned! Thank you for your patience, and we hope you enjoy revisiting the highlights of what was a fantastic few days of sport! 🏅🎉💫
The competition got right underway on Friday with the Melwood Equestrian South Island Young Event Horse Championship, run in conjunction with FMG and Tallyho Connemara Stud. A quality field of young talent stepped forward, showcasing the future of the sport with a lineup of athletic, trainable, and exciting combinations. It was a pleasure to see so many well-produced young horses and ponies stepping confidently into the eventing arena. 🤩 🦄
The FMG & Tallyho Stud 4 & 5 Year Old Young Event Pony, competing for the Bizzie Canoodling Trophy, saw Katie Wilson dominate the podium, taking the win with Bizzie Roly Poly, followed by Poppy Freeman and Dinky Donkey in second. Katie returned for third aboard Bizzie Beeline, with Gemma Lewis and ELDR Little Legend rounding out the top four. ✨
The Melwood Equestrian Best Performed 4 Year Old Young Event Horse was awarded to Georgie Bolton and Choicearado SPH, while the Best Performed 5 Year Old went to Katie Wilson and Marvel G. The Best Performed Mare was claimed by Sonya Benison and MF Sweet Temptation. 🍾
In The Melwood Equestrian Young Event Horse Championship, Katie Wilson and Marvel G took out top honours and the Joan Stringer Memorial Trophy. Suzanne Black and Lakota APH secured second, followed by Sonya Benison and MF Sweet Temptation in third. Anna Poole (Beaumont Jellybean), Georgie Bolton (Choicearado SPH), and Katie Wilson (Bizzie Like Flynn) completed the top six. 🎊
The New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Best Performed Thoroughbred was awarded to Leilah Pukepuke and Lampadario Sia. 🏇⚡️
A fantastic opening day set the tone for the weekend, with sincere thanks to all riders, connections, officials, and volunteers who contributed to a smooth and successful start. The future of eventing is certainly looking bright. 💎⭐️
Saturday saw the commencement of the John Jones Steel Ltd Eventing Canterbury FEI South Island One Day Event Championships 2026, with competitive fields and tight leaderboards across all grades. 💪
In the Canterbury Equine Clinic CCI3*-S Championship (Dusky Bay Cup), Kirsty Ogilvie and Raise a Glass led after dressage on 32.9, closely followed by Bonnie Farrant aboard Basil B (34.5), with Bonnie also holding third on Wildflower. The top combinations produced polished showjumping rounds to hold their positions, before a reshuffle on cross country saw Bonnie Farrant take the win with Basil B on 39.3. Kirsty Ogilvie finished second, with Bonnie also securing third on Wildflower. 🏅
The Bates Saddles CCI2*-S Championship (Des Tomb Trophy) proved competitive from the outset, with Suzanne Black and Colton AF leading after dressage. Carissa Jaques (Euro Centara AH) and Katie Wilson (Windermere Centorini) were close behind. A clear round saw Carissa move into the lead after showjumping, before a major shake-up on cross country. Rebecca Edwards and Gold Trinket delivered a standout performance to take the win, finishing clear and inside the time. Mischa Vaughan (Tallyho Diamonds and Pearls) and Kareen Klinac (SE Gorky Park) rounded out the podium. 🏅
The CCN2*-S Non-Championship saw Sophie Thomas and Craighaven Legacy lead after dressage. Cam Robertson and Pogo took over after showjumping, but a consistent cross country performance saw Sophie regain the lead and secure the win. Harmonie Whitnall (Time Traveller) finished second, with Rosie Smith (The Wildchild) in third. 🏅
In the Pet-n-Sur CCN1*-S Championship, Lauren Enright and V***r Trail led the dressage phase, with strong pressure from Amalia Rowley (Quantafina Xtreme). Amalia took the lead after showjumping, but Lauren’s clear and quick cross country round secured her the win. Amalia finished second, with Jade Miller (King of the Clouds) in third. 🏅
The Dunstan Horse Feeds CCN105-S Non-Championship saw Sarah Bennetts and Astek Vortex set the pace early. Despite holding the lead through showjumping, it was Lydia Meredith and Beaumont Cash who produced a strong cross country round to take the win. Holly Anderson (Valetudo) and Frances Buckley (Enticement II) filled second and third. 🏅
In the Prebbleton Veterinary Hospital CCN95-S Championship, Tarryn Jones and Catchafire KSNZ were untouchable, leading from start to finish on their dressage score. Sonya Benison (SB Trumpeteer) and Megan Armstrong (Adequate Style) completed the podium. 🏅
Danielle Webb and Fleetwood Mac impressed early in the Rangiora Equestrian Supplies CCN95-S Under 21 Championship, before Katie Wilson and Castanea Xtreme took control after showjumping. The top three combinations all delivered clear cross country rounds to hold their positions, with Katie taking the win. 🏅
The John Jones Steel CCN95-S 4, 5 & 6 Year Old Championship was dominated by Sonya Benison and MF Sweet Temptation, who led throughout to take the title. Katie Wilson (Zocalo Xtreme CCPH) secured second, with Sonya also claiming third aboard MF Star Quality. 🏅
In the Melwood Equestrian CCN80-S Championship, a close contest saw Tinesha Benson (Sinesis) and Louise Hipkins (Dibs On Me) tied after the first two phases. Tinesha edged ahead on cross country to take the win, with Anna Poole (Beaumont Jellybean) finishing second. 🏅
The Whiterock Quarry CCN80-S Under 21 Championship delivered one of the most exciting finishes of the day. Elise Mayberry and NS Hey Mickey produced a faultless cross country round to take the win, while a three-way tie for second highlighted the tight competition in this class. Sonya Benison & Kiwi Glimpse, Sophie Smith & Galaxy Special Reserve, and Dana Mason & Twin Blues Angel of Grace all shared second place, and Jorja-Rose Parker and Willow Downs rounded out third. 🏅
Finally, the Syncroflex HA CCN65-S Championship saw a strong field of combinations produce some very polished performances. Chelsea Pearce and Flaxhill Golden Dust set the tone early, leading after dressage on 28.3, with Nicole Daikee and Chill Factor close behind on 29.2, and Suzanne Black and Lakota APH in third on 29.7.
The leaderboard tightened following the showjumping phase, with Nicole stepping into the lead, Suzanne moving into second, and Lizzie Proffitt-White (Kristofferson) alongside Gwen Gilmore joining the mix on equal scores.
All leading combinations delivered impressive cross country rounds, jumping clear and inside the time to hold their positions. Nicole Daikee and Chill Factor secured the win, with Suzanne Black and Lakota APH finishing second, and Lizzie Proffitt-White and Kristofferson rounding out the podium, alongside strong performances from the closely matched top contenders. 🏅
A massive thank you to the incredible team behind the scenes. From our organisers, committee, officials, judges, stewards, and TDs, to our course designers, fence judges, volunteers, and supporters - this event simply wouldn’t happen without you ❤️ Your dedication, time, and attention to detail ensure the continued success of our sport, and it does not go unnoticed.
To our riders and their horses - thank you for bringing the competition, sportsmanship, and quality that make this event so special. 🦄🎉
We hope you all have a nice winter break. We will see you in August! 🌟🌟🌟
