Equestrian
2025 SCHEDULES released 1st Dec 2024
There’s so much depth to the Defender Horse of the Year Show. Our event attracts more than 1500 riders aboard 1900 horses who compete across so many disciplines, all aiming for top titles and bragging rights at New Zealand’s pinnacle show. Spectators get to soak in an atmosphere like no other where they can be entranced by the beauty of dressage, feel the thrill of cross country, enjoy the excitement of showjumping and the speed of mounted games and more. The jewel in the crown is the Olympic Cup where our nation’s best will compete to win the New Zealand Showjumper of the Year crown. But each discipline has its top titles on the line, so take time to wander around the Tōmoana Showgrounds and be part of an historic show.
Show Jumping
Speed, agility and accuracy from both horse and rider are key when it comes to being competitive in showjumping. It’s real edge of your seat spectating as combinations work their way around a set course and – in some cases – through to an against the clock jump-off. Leave the rails up, beat the clock and the combination with the least penalties and fastest time wins.
2025 Schedule – Click Here
Eventing
Eventing is the triathlon of the equestrian world, comprising dressage, cross country and showjumping. The scores are accumulative as each combination works their way through the disciplines over the three days. It takes plenty of skill and training to produce a horse that holds its own through the three. Cross country day is a showstopper and nowhere else in New Zealand can riders experience the closeness of the crowd akin to the big international events across the globe. It’s a not-to-be-missed spectacle.
2025 Schedule – Click Here
Dressage
Dressage combines the magic of dance with equestrian, requiring a huge amount of dedication and training. A dressage test is a series of complex movements that must be performed from memory. The combination with the highest percentage is the winner. When there are multiple judges at higher levels, the scores are added together to find an average. The musical freestyle is when the combination performs their own sequence of movements to music creating a truly unique display that plays to their strengths and never fails to impress.
2025 Schedule – Click Here
Para-Equestrian
Para-dressage is akin to pure dressage with riders classified in grades, depending on the degree of impairment and including loss of vision, to ensure they are competing against their peers.
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Showing
Showing classes are competed on the flat with horses both led or ridden. Horses are judged on their structural beauty, elegance, paces, temperament and attitude. Combinations are presented to perfection, with not a hair out of place. Classes are judges as a group with each expected to do an individual workout before the winner is announced.
2025 Schedule – Click Here
Mounted Games
Break-neck speed with skill and precision is the mantra at the mounted games’ arenas. Racing is done between individuals, pairs or teams and involves vaulting on and off the pony, picking up objects from the ground, or placing objects on a pole or barrel. Both pony and rider are extremely agile with the slickest and fastest combo to cross the line the winner.
2025 Schedule – Click Here
Pleasure
Pleasure riding celebrates all forms of recreational riding for personal enjoyment. At LRHOY the pleasure section is based on the performance of the horse rather than its conformation. Horses are judged on manners, performance and way of going.mance and way of going.
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Pinto
Pinto horses have a broken coloured coat pattern. They are judged both led and ridden, from youngsters through to adult horses covering a range of sizes and types – each turned out to perfection.
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Gyspy Cob
Gypsy cobs are often small, stocky horses, coming in a variety of colours. They feature long, flowing manes and tails, with fluffy feathered fur down their legs and feet. They too are judged as a showing class and are beautifully presented to show off their body, style and movement.
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Welsh
The Welsh section shows the strength, diversity and beauty of the breed which were originally used in coal mines.
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Side Saddle
Side-saddle riding dates back to the Middle Ages when it was a way for women in skirts to ride a horse in a modest fashion while also wearing fine clothing. It is a very graceful and always beautiful to watch.
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