25/03/2026
Newsletter 2
Welcome to our second newsletter for Springston Trophy to be held in Ashburton Thursday October 1st to Sunday October 4th, 2026.
Timeline for Entries
The Team & Draft Rider Nomination Form will be circulated via email in May and will also be available on the Sporty link: https://www.sporty.co.nz/springstontrophy/home-1
• Nominations close Monday 13th July 2026.
• The final Team Entry Form closes Friday 4th September 2026.
AGM Remits and Discussion Topics
Remits or discussion topics may be proposed by Branches/Clubs or the Guardians. Closing date for remits is also Monday 13th July 2026. Email [email protected]
The Annual General Meeting of Delegates from each Branch, or Club without Branches, will be held during the competition. Each South Island Branch, or Club without Branches, is entitled to be represented by two delegates who will each have one vote. Delegates must be nominated in writing by the Branch, or Club, at the close of team entries to be eligible to vote. Forms will be posted on the Sporty page and will be emailed.
Entry Fees
The team nomination form must be accompanied by the nomination fee of $100 per team (non-refundable), this fee is included in the total team entry fee (not extra). A fee of $40 is payable for those submitting a draft rider nomination form.
The team entry fee is $600.
Teams consist of 6 riders:
Seniors - 105cm, 2 riders 24 years and under (all ages as at 1st August 2026)
Intermediates - 95cm, 2 riders 17 years and under
Juniors - 80cm, 2 riders 14 years and under
If a club cannot form a team of 6 riders, there are other eligible team compositions. These include:
Team of 5 riders (2 in each of 2 classes and 1 in the remaining class)
Team of 4 riders (1 rider in each class plus one rider in any of the 3 classes)
Borrowed riders (to make up a team of 4 or a team of 5 if the 5th rider is in a different class)
Composite team (to allow riders who would normally miss out due to their Branch/Club being unable to field a team, to be able to compete)
Two Age Group team (4 riders making up 2 classes)
The Draft riders register is for those riders who have not been placed in a team and is also an opportunity for a Branch/Club to register a vacancy for a rider. The organising committee will hold this register.
This is a brief overview of the potential makeup of teams so that branches/clubs/riders are aware of the options available. Please consult the ST rules for greater detail at this link: https://www.sporty.co.nz/springstontrophy/resources
If you have any queries after reading the rules, please email [email protected] Our aim is to give all riders that are keen and eligible the opportunity to compete at Springston Trophy 2026.
Updates will be posted on:
• Our page “Springston Trophy 2026”
• The Sporty link https://www.sporty.co.nz/springstontrophy/home-1
• Emailed to you from NZPCA
Event Schedule:
• Wednesday September 30th - Teams may arrive & settle in at Ashburton A&P Grounds
• Thursday October 1st – Welcome & Cross Country Walk at the Rakaia cross country course
• Friday October 2nd – Dressage at Ashburton A&P Show Grounds
• Saturday October 3rd – Cross Country, teams will travel to Rakaia for cross country
• Sunday October 4th – Show Jumping & Mounted Prize Giving at Ashburton A&P Show Grounds
Meet our Cross Country Course Designer
Work on the Rakaia Cross Country Course is underway and Course Designer, Anna Poole, has planned a fresh new look to revitalise the existing facility and allow for enjoyment well beyond Springston Trophy 2026. Anna will be known to many as a keen South Island based event rider and winner of multiple national eventing titles. Anna has been designing courses for 8 years and is relishing the challenge of not just building for a day, but for a decade!
Our Logo
Our striking logo was designed by Tinwald Pony Club alumni, Harriet Stock, who cleverly incorporated the colours of our four Ashburton branches - Mill Creek, Methven, Rakaia and Tinwald. The four pony clubs are pooling resources to host Springston Trophy 2026. Our sincere thanks to Harriet for her inspired graphic design skills.
Please direct all enquiries to our Email: [email protected]
Warm regards,
Ashburton Pony Clubs - Mill Creek, Methven, Rakaia and Tinwald
Chairperson - Kim Solly
Minute Secretary - Tash White
Event Secretary - Janet Cuttle
Treasurer - Pip Allan
Communications - Mary Stewart
Sponsorship Opportunities - Penny France (021 812 489), Kate Oliver (022 350 5902), Kate Moorhead (027 553 3084)
