With the eventing season creeping ever so close, it is time to start planning your trip to Puhinui this year!
Celebrate Puhinui 2017 in style with a pass to our hospitality lounge or simply come along and enjoy the action.
DATES:
Thursday 7th December - Sunday 10th December
Stay postponed for more information leading up to the event!
The Puhinui International Three-day Event in Auckland, 9-11 December, marks the halfway stage of the year long ESNZ Eventing Super League, with competitors from throughout the country travelling long distances to contest the Honda CCI3* class, and earn the extra points on offer for the Olympic format three-day event.
Virginia Thompson is the new Puhinui Champion after taking out the Honda NZCCI3* on her horse Star Nouveau. The judges put Ginny through a few nervous moments as they calculated the final scores, as Star Nouveau had knocked two rails down and had one time fault, but she had built up enough of a lead to take out the win.
Over 200 horses and riders from all over New Zealand are converging on Auckland this weekend to compete in the prestigious Puhinui International 3 Day Event.
The event, commencing Friday 11th of December and concluding on Sunday 13th, is held at the Puhinui Reserve, next to Auckland Airport. It is one of only two events held in New Zealand at the highest possible level of equestrian eventing. While Olympians Sir Mark Todd, Vaughn Jefferis and Australian Stuart Tinney have all had their names engraved on the trophy in previous years, none of the field in this year’s top class have ever won the trophy before.
Work is under way at the magnificent Puhinui Reserve with Tich Massey and his dedicated team of workers beginning on the cross country. Their progress is being documented on the Puhinui Facebook page by Eye Witness Images and will give you a sneak peek of what to expect this year!
Always an exciting competition, this year’s Puhinui International 3 Day Event has a little extra spice for a number of reasons. Eventing’s superstar couple, Jonelle and Tim Price, who have had a dream eventing season in Europe, will be on hand to share their wealth of knowledge with riders and spectators alike. They will be involved in a variety of activities, from leading walks around the cross country, talking at the Thompson Electrical Breakfast with the Stars on Saturday morning through to being in the fan zone each day ready for questions, autographs and photographs.
Here's a great opportunity - you can walk the cross country course on Friday 5 December with Jonelle and Tim Price.
They will be walking the Honda NZ CCI*** course at 10:30 am on Friday, and you can tag along, hear how they would ride it, ask them questions that could be helpful to your own riding, and generally be around to learn from these highly regarded riders.
They will then be walking the Cato Packaging CCI** course at 4:30pm (at the conclusion of the Honda NZ CCI*** dressage which ever is the sooner). Again, this is open to everyone.
All you need to do is to meet up at the first fence at either 10:30 am or 4:30 pm (or both!)!
Forget the Silver Spurs, this year the Puhinui Riders Party is going to prove for once and for all (or at least until next year) where the best riders come from with the inaugural Event Riders Association (NZ) 'state of origin' Challenge.
While the ERA Challenge won't actually involve riding, it comprises a series of challenges carefully designed to test mind, body and spirit - and only the true champions will succeed.
We're looking for teams of four people (riders, grooms, supporters - anyone) from each of the Northern, Central and Southern regions who're prepared to take on the challenge.
If you think you've got what it takes, nominate your team by contacting Tom Lane or commenting on the Event Riders Association New Zealand Facebook page.
As well as untold glory and undisputed bragging rights, there will be prizes for the winners.
There is only one month to go before we will be starting day 1 of this year's event.
It is also great to announce that Jonelle Price, currently the No 2 eventing rider In The World (AKA the Number ONE Female Eventing Rider In The World) will be at Puhinui! Jonelle will be accompanied by her husband Tim, who just happens to be No 13 Eventing Rider in The World!
