Our Iona Girls had an incredible week at HOY, showcasing their talent across all disciplines from Monday through to the Interschool event on Sunday. This prestigious event saw our riders shine in showjumping, show hunter, showing, and dressage. With top results from Lily Kent, Tessa Moffett, Georgie Coop, Anya Wade, and many more, we couldn’t be prouder of their hard work and achievements. Congratulations to all our riders on an unforgettable week!

Showjumping:

Lily Kent and Tessa Moffett competed as part of the winning Northern Hawke’s Bay Saba Sam team. They were the only team to complete three clear rounds in the first round of competition, which is an awesome result from these girls! Georgie Coop also competed as part of the Bay of Plenty Team who finished in 5^th place.

Northern Hawke’s Bay Saba Sam team with family members pictured above. 

Georgie Coop continued her success throughout the week, winning the pony 1.20m champ, and second in the pony 1.15m. Iyve Speirs was close behind Georgie finishing 4^th in the 1.15m and 5^th in the 1.20m champ.

Hannah Roil had great success in the horse showjumping ring, placing 3^rd in her junior rider qualifying class.

Show Hunter:

Anya Wade was successful in both the Show Hunter and Show Jumping arenas competing two ponies. She was 1^st in the Cat C Show Hunter high points class & was 3^rd in the Cat C Show Hunter Pony of the Year. On her second pony in the showjumping ring, she was 3^rd in the 1.15m class and 4^th in the 1.10m champ. A very successful all-round show for Anya.

Anya Wade.

Also, in the Show Hunter ring, Lucy Harrison was 6^th in the Handy Hunter pony class. A great result for her first time competing at HOY.

Early in the week, during the Pony Working Hunter classes, Hazel Hunter was on a winning streak! She won the Pony Working Hunter of the Year, and the rising-star Working Hunter Pony. Hot on her heels was Fenella Train who finished 3^rd in the Working Hunter Pony of the Year and was 2^nd in the Open Pony Hunter jumping class.

Showing:

In the showing arena we had Isla and Libby Symes collecting many ribbons throughout their classes. Libby in the Pony Saddle Hunter classes including 3^rd place in both Saddle Hunter Pony of the Year and Paced and Mannered Saddle Hunter Pony of the Year. Isla was on form in the Pinto Pony classes collecting many ribbons including two 2^nd place results in the Rising Star Pinto class and the Rider U17 on a Pinto.
Sophie Lyons was also very successful in the showing arena, coming 4th in the Show Pony of the Year, and 2nd in the Pony Breeders of the Year.
 

L-R Libby Symes, Olive Menzies.  

Dressage:

In the dressage arena, we had Olive Menzies competing and collecting a 4^th place ribbon in her Preliminary dressage test.

Interschool Competition:

On the last day of HOY, Sophie Holland, Iyve Speirs, Zita Pedersen, and Tessa Moffett competed under the Iona flag for the Interschool competition. They all produced great rounds as a team and finished in 5th place, a strong result after a long week of competing. 
 

L-R:  Zita Pedersen, Sophie Holland.

We are so lucky to have so many riders achieving such great results at HOY.
Well done, girls!

Article added: Friday 14 March 2025