Super Classic equestrian back for secnd year
Equestrian's Kiwi Super Classic is back for a second year, offering top prize money and a strong international flavour.
It’s a tour that comprises a trio of shows – one at Manfeild (April 2-4) and two at Blenheim (April 9-11 and April 17-18) and will include trans-Tasman tests.
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The inaugural show was held in 2025 in Manfield, with organiser Kevin Hansen expanding it into Marlborough for 2027.
Taking care of the two Blenheim shows is well-respected organiser Helen Ensor and the Marlborough Showjumping Group. They garnered a reputation for top events and this one is set to shine bright.
Hansen always shoots high and this year is bringing Olympic and World Cup Finals course designer Leopoldo Palacios (Venezuela)) on board for the tour.
Hansen is known as a man who is passionate about equestrian and sharing that with everyone he can while trying to give the very best to horses and riders. That’s driven him to offer big prize money, encourage investment in top quality surfaces and bring internationally acclaimed course designers to New Zealand.
Competition is broken into Super Stars (1.35-1.45m), Shooting Stars (1.3m), Super Stars Pony (1.2-1.25m), Stars in Your Eyes (1.2m), Rising Stars (1.1m) and Young Stars Pony (1.1m) at each show, with $300,000 in the prize pool across the tour.
“We want to riders to be heading home with good prizemoney,” says Hansen.
Invitations have been extended to the Australians for the tests which will be held at Manfeild and one of the Blenheim shows and span senior, young rider and junior levels. Hansen is also working on helping access extra discount rates for ferry crossings.
Plans are underway to instal new state-of-the-art surfaces at Manfeild. The project will happen in two phases, with a new 80m x 80m high performance all-weather arena followed by the second a year later. While the new surfaces may not be ready for the 2027 show, plenty of work is going into ensuring the exceptional grass surface will be bang on.
WHAT: The Kiwi Super Classics Tour
Manfeild April 2-4, 2027
Blenheim April 9-11, 2027
Blenheim April 17-18, 2027
