Equestrian has what chief executive Jim Ellis calls its Holy Grail in sight - eventing team gold at the Rio Olympics.

Ashleigh Mckinstry isn't your typical 20-year-old, but she has managed to win one of New Zealand's premier eventing titles, the Puhinui three-day event.

Champion showjumper Rebekah van Tiel, 15, has earned Rosehill College's sporting excellence award.

Bronze medal winner Andrew Nicholson and his NZ equestrian teammates were presented with a surprise gift: the rare and yeasty substance known as Marmite. Supermarket operator Foodstuffs stockpiled the last of their spread when "Marmageddon" hit, choosing to distribute it among deserving Kiwis rather than sell it.