From: Marlborough Express (dated 08July 2010)

Marlborough endurance riders Kylie Avery, Missy Green, Tessa Wells and Sherryl Wells scooped major awards at the National Endurance New Zealand prizegiving held in Christchurch last weekend.

Avery, a Marlborough member now living in Canterbury, riding Silands Mia Bella, took out the Endurance Senior Horse and Rider of the Year award for most points throughout the 2009-10 season. She also finished third for overall senior distance rider, completing 1235.5 kilometres, which were mostly accumulated on two mounts – Mia Bella and Silands Jasark, and ninth on Horse and Rider points with Silands Jasark.

Green and Xavier Cheerokee topped the Competitive Trail Riding Open Horse and Rider rankings, with fellow Marlborough duos Heidi Bulfin on Stonelea Sparkling Rose (runner-up), Lorraine Stratford on Jay, Oliver Radford on Temptations Future and Kim Swan riding Roselea Shady filling the next four placings.

Xavier Cheerokee took out the Open Distance horse title with 380km (from 10 rides), while Jay came in second, with Sparkling Rose, Temptations Future and Roselea Shady third, fourth and fifth respectively. Tessa Wells, riding Masada Park Maestro, claimed both the Junior CTR Horse and Rider award and Junior Distance horse with 253km.

Intermediate CTR Distance horse was won by Sherryl Wells' Denny, with Marlborough horses Puketoi Aliyah (Jenny May) and The Duke of Marlborough (Fiona Radford) finishing second and third in this class. Wells and Denny also finished runnerup in Intermediate Horse and Rider points, with May third.

Treasurer Pam Harris took out the Sportsperson of the Year award at the Marlborough Endurance and Trail Riding Club's recent prizegiving dinner. The award, voted for by club members on the night, was recognition for the time and effort put in by Harris over several years.

Other major prize winners were Linda Harmon, the Endurance Rider of the Year, and Glenys Parson, Trail Rider of the Year. Technical delegate or ground jury official at most rides, Heather Bulfin picked up the Dedication to our Sport Trophy.

Senior Rider of the Year went to Kim Swan and the Junior Rider of the Year title and Highest Points Junior went to Tessa Wells and Masada Park Maestro. Distance awards went to Xavier Cheerokee (trail) and Silands Jasark and Kishon Zivana (endurance).

The Most Improved Member award was shared between Glenys Parson and Lisa Milner, while Most Improved New Member went to Vivien Wadsworth. The President's Cup was presented to Kim Swan and Pam Harris this year. Ground crew worker of the year was Fiona Hyson. Best Timed Senior rider was Heidi Bulfin, with Nadja Hyson claiming the Best Timed Junior award.

To be eligible for prizes, riders and horses had to have completed at least three local CTRs last season in their chosen category.

Highest points placings:

Open: Missy Green and Xavier Cheerokee 1, Heidi Bulfin and Stonelea Sparkling Rose 2, Kim Swan and Roselea Shady 3. Intermediate: Fiona Radford and The Duke of Marlborough 1, Jenny May and Puketoi Aliyah 2, Sherryl Wells and Denny 3. Youth: Tessa Wells and Masada Park Maestro 1. Training Intermediate: Glenys Parsons and Stirling McAvoy 1, Tina McManaway and Lemon Twist 2, Craig Dodson and Goodie 3. Training: Lisa Milner and Africa 1, Jane Butler and El Etruscan 2, Caroline Abbott and Naibara Quest and Vivien Wadsworth and Leroy Brown 3=. Novice: Kaye Cleaver and Narcella 1. Lead rein: Gemma Irvine and Phoebe 1.