Equestrian: Woodford House reclaim own event

Woodford House rider Lucy McHugh. Photo / File

Woodford House successfully won back their annual equestrian event title at the Flaxmere Equestrian Park on Monday.

Comprising showjumping and dressage, the event lured 120 riders from the central North Island.

Riders compete for individual prizes in all classes while also gaining points towards the overall school titles.

The points from each school's top four riders are added to find the winners.

The showjumping consisted of AM5, table and derby, with 80cm, 95cm and 1.10m sections. Woodford House Black missed out by five points to Gisborne Girls' High School Red team.

The dressage offered level 1-2 classes which Havelock North High School Blue team won, seven points clear of Nga Tawa Gold. Woodford Maroon and Woodford Black were third equal on 20 points.

To decide the overall winners, dressage and showjumping points were added. Woodford Black pipped Havelock North Blue by a point.

Gisborne Girls' Red Woodford Maroon were fourth.

Student equestrian leaders Lucy McHugh, Willa Aitken and Jessie McNeil organised the event with help from other Woodford riders and their parents.

Individual champions: Overall Tessa Wallace (Woodford); 110cm showjumping champion Matt Irvin (Lindisfarne College), 95cm showjumping champion Wallace; 80cm showjumping champion Tess Gordon (Havelock).