It was an all Rotorua top three in the 1.4m Premium Thoroughbred Classic, equivalent to Grand Prix, as Croucher was first on Waitangi Surf, Tarr was second on Madam Coco and Herbert was third on Grand Cabello.
Croucher was "pretty stoked" with the win.
"It was my best win of the season, my best win ever probably. It was quite a tough competition and it's my horse's first season jumping that height. Everything just kind of worked on the day, the horse jumped phenomenally and got us out of a few tricky situations.
"I went into it hoping for a nice round, obviously I was aiming for a win but I didn't know if that was a realistic goal. When we went clear on the first round, along with three other riders, I thought maybe we had a shot," Croucher said.
He was first up in the second round jump-off and clipped the final rail, which left him with a nervous wait as he watched the rest of the riders.
"They were all really good riders so I was thinking 'fourth is good, I'm happy with fourth'. I'd never wish bad upon everyone but I was relying on the others hitting at least one rail - thankfully it happened," he said.
What a way to finish the year 🎉🎉
Waitangi Surf won the Premium Thoroughbred 1.40 classic at Christmas Classics today 😃👌🏼
I would like to thank Jeff McVean for his excellent coaching and all his help this year!
Also I would like to thank my sponsors!
Back on Track New Zealand Surf uses the saddle blanket, poll cap, jumping boots, Royal quick wraps and also the sore no more performance poultice. And she loves the lot!! 😃
NSC The English Saddle Company Surf uses the NSC bascule 👌🏼 truly makes the rounds so much easier 👍🏼
Hygain New Zealand/Hygain Feeding Champions all the team are on Fibre Essential, Micronised Barley, Balanced and Pak-Cell. Surf is also on Hyaglide to help with her joints while jumping! 💪🏼
Anitone helps with gut health
Equi-Lise for keeping our pastures Horse safe! 👌🏼
I would also like to thank Fiber Fresh Equine - New Zealand and all the Sponsors of the show!
Posted by Oliver Croucher Show Jumping on Sunday, 17 December 2017
Tarr was pleased with her consistency during the event.
"[Madam Coco] has been really consistent this season, but this was her first time stepping up to the Grand Prix size, so I was over the moon.
"I just wanted to get around the course really - the first round leaving all the rails up was pretty cool. I had a lot of help from my trainer Danielle Maurer which was really helpful," Tarr said.
Herbert said both horses she used at the event jumped well.
"I couldn't fault the horses at all really. The ground conditions were great and the horses felt amazing. I just wanted a clear round to start with, when I got that I wanted to stay in the top three. I did that, I was happy with that, the only faults I did have were my own, which I can work on," Herbert said.
Rotorua Showjumping Group chairman Paul Croucher said it was great for the future of Rotorua showjumping to have young riders on the podium.
"It was a big track so they were obviously very brave and it was also very technical. For the young ones to take on the seasoned pros and beat them, they did pretty well.
"Rotorua's not really recognised as an equestrian hub, but it's a beautiful place to have horses and we do have a lot of really good riders."
