Equestrain
As the season starts properly, we say farewell to Zoe
Gordon our Captain. She has been a stalwart of the team
since Year 9, always competitive and leading by example
in her riding and horse management skills. Luckily for us,
Zoe is staying in HB for a while longer and willbe around to
help coach our teams for next year.
2014 proved another busy year for our riders.
The inter-school season started at the same time as Horse
of the Year Show which meant Tess and Zoe Gordon were
unable to compete at St. Matthews Equestrian Event as
they were busy at the Hastings Showground. Madi Wezel
riding Zorro and Madi Hall on Peaches had a sucessful
day, with Madi and Zorro winning the 80cm Speed class
and Madi and Peaches placing.
Next up in the calendar was HNHS Primary and
Intermediate team event, organised by Sarah Smith and
Olivia Broadhurst (and superb scoring by Andrew Russell).
All our riders and most of their lovely parents turned up to
help on this day, no doubt remembering when they were in
these classes.
Soon afterwards was the HNHS Inter-High School event,
there was a larger amount of entries than usual and a
changed format to a separate Dressage and Show
Jumping competition this year. Several Year 9 riders
stepped up to join the teams, with Tess Gordon, Danielle
Thorpe and Kendyll Miller getting placings. Another new
member of the team, Tory Carver riding Denis the Menace
gained some useful placings in the dressage. Georgia
Hulls and her new pony Summer Cloud sped round the
jumping classes to get a 1st and 2nd. Captain Zoe
Gordon kept a cool head as usual, while riding 2 horses
and picking up many places. Sadly, we didn’t win back
either of our cups but everyone and their horses had a
good day. Huge thanks to Pip Stonehouse’s
father and his truck for towing all the jumps
away in pitch darkness.
During the season Zoe was selected to
represent Hawkes Bay for Eventing, Show
Hunter and Show Jumping, a great accomplishment. Younger sister Tess was selected
for Show Hunter and Mounted Games along
with Kendyll Miller and Danielle Thorpe (both
for Mounted Games). The last inter-school
event before the magazine deadline was
Woodford House event. Riding in the worst
weather ever, with dressage arenas and
jumps blowing over, temperatures dropping
to 5 degrees and horizontal sleet upsetting
the horses. Our top team of Zoe and Tess
Gordon, Tory Carver and Georgia Hulls won
the dressage trophy and came second by
only one point in the overall competition.
Well done girls, some gutsy riding,
especially for Tess, winning the 80cm instant
jump off class. Good to see new team
member Rebecca Richards enjoying
herself round the course.
Equestrian
Back Row: Kendyll Miller, Georgia Hulls, Madison Wezel, Mrs Hulls (Manager)
Front Row: Tess Gordon, Danielle Thorpe, Zoe Gordon, (Captain), Madi Hall, Tory
Carver