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Show Hunter Waitemata is a group of friendly, dedicated volunteers who run winter training days and registered summer shows during the year. They are passionate about show hunter and enthusiastic about the future growth of the sport. Check this website and our Facebook page for updates on our show dates, photographer links, sponsor links and news. |
Waitemata Show Hunter February Show 2019
All photos thanks to Hannah Comrie NZ Supergroom and Photographer
Emily Twort and KSNZ Cameo- winners of the Handy Hunter Championship Feb 2019
Cat B Pony Winners 2019
Winners of the Peter Holmes Challenge 2019
Jaimie Botha and Minks Champion Cat A Pony
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The Latest News...
Waitemata Summer Season Wrap-up 2018/19 Written by Jenny Stiles-Joustra What an endless summer it has been, but like it or not winter is nearly here so time to reflect wistfully back on the season that’s just been, celebrate our winners and look forward to what’s coming up! The hard-working Show Hunter Waitemata team put a lot of effort in this year with several new initiatives. The season got off to a good start with the first ever Show Hunter Information clinic at the Campbell’s lovely equestrian property in Bawden Road. 60 people turned out to learn from demonstration show hunter riders, to pick up some instruction and tips from National Show Hunter judge, Sue Whiddett (Sue is also a Waitemata committee member) and to listen to some great talks on turn-out, feeding regimes and rider fitness (yes your fitness matters too!). Even the Teams Challenge was given a bit of a shake-up this year when it was moved forward to 1/2nd December, becoming the feature of the first show of the year. This event is always popular with riders – providing a healthy dose of competition, pushing riders to excel and building a strong team culture across all competing SH areas. Moving the event earlier in the season proved to be a winner with 150 riders from a number of areas attending – Northland, Auckland, Waitemata, Waikato and Bay of Plenty. Show Hunter Waitemata put together two really strong teams again this year which resulted in another win. The winning Waitemata team: Emily Twort, Cameo, Jaimie Botha, Minks, Zara Main, Acclaim, Victoria Mitchell, Nickolodeon, Freya Scolly, Symmetry Rio and Tanya Merkulov, Calvados. It was also great to see the depth in other teams coming through with Auckland in second place. A huge thanks to Roofing Industries for sponsoring this event. In January Waitemata got technical and hosted a clinic with renowned Canadian course designer Peter Holmes. This was a rare chance for our course designers and specialists from across the country to hear from Peter about show hunter & SJ course design in Canada and the USA, and to consider new ways to do things here. Peter Holmes went on to help the Show Hunter Waitemata team design the course for the February show, putting their new skills into practise. A huge effort went into creating new jumps and rings for the show – the end result a beautiful ring on the prmeir grass arena featuring a more natural look with more greenery (kindly sponsored by Nature’s Creation), the addition of walls and removal of ground poles. The course was designed to be smooth and flowing, with several roll-backs and more changing of rein. President Jo Craddock (who tested out her own skills well by going on to win the Peter Holmes Challenge) commented on the philosophy behind the new-look course “ SH Waitemata is trying to be more forward thinking, pushing boundaries and trying new things and not just sticking to the status quo. We want show hunter to be exciting to encourage more riders to get involved and to keep those at the top interested and challenged”. Without a doubt the new ring style tested riders out, especially the Rising Star riders who were the first to try out the new course. But they coped and feedback was great with most riders appreciating the chance to ride a different type of course and do something new. A huge thanks also to Woodhill Sands for lending out their jumps to help put the course together – great local collaboration. Horse of the Year 2019 topped off the calendar and Waitemata had a strong showing with many of our riders making the trip down with some very good results across the week. Our highest placed riders were: Junior: Lauren Mitchell, Sonny Bill Pony: Francesa Bisnell, Apache of Kitford Amateur: Sarah Twentyman, Moulin Rouge Open: Emily Twort, Cameo Now it’s nearly time to celebrate our Waitemata season winners. Come and cheer them on at the AGM and prize-giving on Friday 31 May at The Bringham, Whenuapai. This is a friendly evening with dinner at 6.30pm (RSVP $32 p.p) and AGM and Prize Giving at 8pm (free). See here for the full list of winners: http://www.showhunterwaitemata.co.nz/uploads/8/1/6/3/81634676/2018_19_prize_giving_winners.pdf Dates to remember: Prize giving: 31st May, 6.30pm, The Brigham, Whenuapai Winter Series Day One: 26th May. This day will be a welcome day especially geared towards encouraging new riders with support from committee members and with rider briefings by the judges before classes to run through what the judges are looking for and how to ride certain classes like Handy Hunter and Equitation. Winter Series Day Two: 28th September. Championship Day. The flowers will be out and this will be a chance to give your horse some strong practice before the summer season (it feels a long way off now!). |
THANK YOU TO OUR FAMILY OF SPONSORS FOR THE 2018-19 SEASON!
