25/08/2026
๐๐๐ฟ๐บ๐ฒ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐น๐๐ ๐ข๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ป๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฆ๐ต๐ผ๐ ๐๐๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ฟ โ ๐ช๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐ฎ ๐ช๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ธ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฑ!
What a fantastic way to kick off the 2026 Show Hunter season!
Show Jumping Waitemata was proud to host the Burmester Realty Opening Show Hunter, welcoming riders back to Woodhill Sands for the first event in nine months and the first Show Hunter event of the season.
We were thrilled with the entry numbers leading into the event. The sun certainly turned it on for us on Saturday, providing perfect conditions for a great day's competition. Sunday, however, tested everyone a little more, with strong winds making the later classes challenging. Thankfully, the rain held off until almost everyone had packed up and headed home!
The smiles, laughter and friendships on display reminded us exactly what our sport is all about. It was fantastic to see riders back at Woodhill, making memories with their horses, catching up with friends and enjoying being together again.
A huge thank you to everyone who has worked tirelessly over the past nine months to make the reopening of Woodhill Sands possible. This weekend simply wouldn't have happened without your dedication and perseverance. Thank you to Show Hunter Waitemata for generously lending us the gear we needed to make this event possible.
We'd also like to thank our riders, supporters, officials, Judges โ Joan Couper and Sue Whiddett, volunteers and sponsors who helped make the weekend such a success. A special thank you also to our naming rights sponsor, Burmester Realty, for their support of this event.
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National Series Cat C Pony
1 - Molly Buckingham (Swanson) Grassendale Gin
2 - Alice Walker (Ahuroa) The Ginja Ninja
3 - Ellie McDonald (Helensville) Piripi
Cat B Pony National Series
1 - Charlotte Taylor (Whangarei) Mochachino Surprise
2 - Tayla Robinson (Matamata) My Bella Ragazza
3 - Amelia Sandlant (Auckland ) Lightning my queen
4 - Florence Walker (Ahuroa) Santorini Blue
Cat A Pony Vero Insurance National Series
1 - Ella Wylie (Gordonton) Waima Gin
Equissage NZ Pony Rider Equitation National Series
1 - Amelia Vermeulen (Muriwai) Avignon
2 - Grace Walker (Waimauku) Daisy Dream
3 - Alice Walker (Ahuroa) The Ginja Ninja
4 - Darcie Scheer (Warkworth) The Ninjabread Man
5 - Sachi Vermeulen (Waimauku) Meadowlands Monaro
Waikato & BOP Show Hunter 12 years and under Equitation National Series
1 - Millie Bennett (Te Awamutu) Starlight Ignite
2 - Florence Walker (Ahuroa) Santorini Blue
3 - Ella Wylie (Gordonton) Waima Gin
Open Equitation National Series
1 - Harriette Giltrap (Clevedon) Cappuccino NZPH
2 - Emily Strain (Kumeu) Centinelle
3 - Kirsten Hence (Waiau Pa, Auckland) Weiti Bel Air
4 - Briar Woolley (Wellsford) River Oaks Speed Bump
Summit Grain & Saddlery Amateur National Series - 1m max
1 - Emily Strain (Kumeu) Centinelle
Class 52: NRM Open Horse National Series
1 - Alex Gray (Auckland) Redcliffs Cavallone
Open Horse Championship 1.00m
1 - Emily Strain (Kumeu) Centinelle
2 - Sascha Crossman Chimaera QSH
3 - Alex Gray (Auckland) Redcliffs Cavallone
Cat C Champion Pony
1 - Molly Buckingham (Swanson) Grassendale Gin
2 - Alice Walker (Ahuroa) The Ginja Ninja
3 - Ellie McDonald (Helensville) Piripi
Cat B Champion Pony
1 - Millie Bennett (Te Awamutu) Starlight Ignite
2 - Charlotte Taylor (Whangarei) Mochachino Surprise
3 - Tayla Robinson (Matamata) My Bella Ragazza
4 - Florence Walker (Ahuroa) Santorini Blue
Cat A Champion Pony 60cm
1 - Ella Wylie (Gordonton) Waima Gin
Show Report from Emma Buckingham.
