Katikati College, in conjunction with the Katikati Pony Club, hosted an inter-school dressage event on September 25 at the Uretara Domain. `

Riders from the wider Thames Valley and Western BOP including Katikati College, Tauranga Girls College, Otumoetai College, Mt Maunganui College, Papamoa College, AGC, Waihi College and Te Kawhata College entered this inaugural event.

Riders and their mounts work all year to refine their skills and this was an opportunity to showcase their talent and commitment to their equestrian pursuits. Riders compete regularly, all year, at various local, regional and national events across a variety of disciplines including Dressage, Show Jumping, Show Hunter and One Day Eventing.

The riders battled with challenging, windy conditions with a good measure of success. Katikati College was able to enter four teams of four riders, all of whom gained success with individual placings and overall team placings across a range of different dressage tests. The overall team winner was a combined schools team (Otumoetai College, AGC and Tauranga Girls College). The Katikati College team of  Mackenzie Walter, Anica Riacek, Anton Turnwald, and Katie Rousell placed second overall. Other riders who competed were: Samantha Free, Katelyn Bateman, Luisa Hofer, Karena Murray, Samantha Besley, Lizzie Donaldson, Luci Bateman and Sally Carter. Ella Lecky was team manager, Jayne Donker was photographer and Briar Somers was a handler.

Huge thanks to the organising committee, particularly KKPC president Sally Goodyear for putting together a hugely successful event and for setting the standard for a similar event in 2020. Local sponsors, Caravans 4 U and Waihi Beach Laser Plumbing, helped to make for a fantastic prize giving.