Horsepower prevails in 'Triathlon with a twist' in Waipukurau

The Smurfs NZPH team, from left, Adele White (Havelock North), Alex Loiselle (Canada) and Helen Kippen (Havelock North).

Four legs proved superior to two wheels at the second-annual "Triathlon with a Twist" in Waipukurau.

Last Tuesday's novelty triathlon is the second that noted CHB showjumper Claire Wilson has hosted at her family's Mount Herbert Farm on Porangahau Rd.

A fundraiser for Porangahau St John ambulance, the triathlon consisted of the traditional swim and run, but in a twist, those doing the ride leg competed on horseback or on bikes in timed runs. Horsepower triumphed over pedal power,she said.

Three-year-old George White, from Otane, riding Dinky, and mum Lou share a high-five after completing the ride leg at the second annual Triathlon with a Twist.

"I think horsepower was the winner on the day. We had prepared the arena surface to be nice and soft for the horses, but this proved hard going for some of the younger bike riders — or their mothers who were pushing them along."

Entries were up on last year, with a field of 74 mainly horse-y types taking part as individuals, or in two and three-person teams.

Havelock North's Jonty Lowe struggles on the soft surface in the ride leg.

The award for the top team went to Tracey Mason and Tom Moffett, who posted good scores from the three legs.

"The Mason and Moffett families are big supporters of our local level fundraising events, so they were very worthy winners," she said. She was blown away by the efforts of the fancy dressed teams.

"I had a secret friend judging this, and she had the toughest job. She had so many amazing costumes to choose from, but she chose The Smurfs from New Zealand Performance Horses at Haumoana because they looked amazing and were extra-supportive of their teammates."

The Special Ks were, from left, Waipukurau's Kate Ward, swimmer Kalah Mackay from Levin, and Katie Barr from the UK, a worker at Mount Herbert.

This year's event raised $2035 for St John. Last year's inaugural event raised $3000 for the Hawke's Bay Rescue Helicopter Trust.