Showjumping event keeps riding on

The best showjumpers in the country gathered in Ha¯wera over the weekend – but no spectators were allowed to watch them because of Covid-19 restrictions.

The Taranaki Equestrian Jumping World Cup Final took at place at the Egmont A& P Showgrounds between Friday and Sunday.

Hundreds of horses and riders from all over the country attended, all following the very strict red traffic light rules, including masks and social distancing.

They included Tegan Fitzsimon, from West Melton, who won her third POLi Payments FEI World Cup (New Zealand League) Series on Saturday, riding Windermere Cappuccino.

Tanya Hansen, chairman of Taranaki Equestrian Jumping, said they were very pleased with how the event went. ‘‘Really stoked,’’ Hansen said.

‘‘ The Egmont A& P Association have the best facilities in the country. Taranaki got lots of compliments. And we have an amazing committee. They’re a really hardworking bunch of volunteers.’’

However, the Covid-19 rules meant there were no spectators and, because competitors were allowed to bring only one support person, there were no families, she said.

The Ministry of Health and police went along to audit the event.

It was ‘‘great weather and it would have been amazing to open it to spectators’’, Hansen said.

‘‘We managed to run the event successfully within Covid limits.’’

SIMON O’CONNOR/STUFF From left: Dr Brent Anderson, of New Plymouth, riding Detailed MSH. Alexandra Hammond and Le Bam placed third in the Pro-Am Series class. Carissa McCall riding Oaks Diabella, were winners of the Pro-Am Rider Series class.

SIMON O’CONNOR/ STUFF Paxton Conder, from Waikato, riding La Fonteyn.

SIMON O’CONNOR/ STUFF Nicholas Beal, of Auckland, riding Sacramento at the showjumping event in Ha¯wera on Sunday.