from Nelson Mail (dated 02feb11)

Nelson riders have again distinguished themselves, this time bringing home an impressive haul of honours from the New Zealand Grand National Showcase Championship at the weekend.

A large contingent of riders travelled south to Christchurch for the competition.

Tessa Silcock, 17, riding Windsor Merrylegs, a freshly broken-in three-year-old pony, was supreme champion in paced and mannered pony (128cm to 138cm).

The pair also won the supreme champion novice B-ring pony title, against a very strong field of show ponies.

Eight-year-old Libby Ker also rode Windsor Merrylegs, from Windsor Stud in Upper Moutere, and took second and third placings on Windsor Englishe Legacy.

Tessa's sister Tamara, 14, won three awards.

With Windsor Englishe Legacy, she took champion novice B-ring pony. On Phoenician Red Sunset, she won the champion A-ring in-saddle hunted pony, and took two seconds and a third placings in the galloway section.

On Jessica Rabbit, she was sashed with a supreme champion garland in Park Hack of the Show.

Danielle Guiver, 15, rode Windsor Englishe Kisses to the supreme title in the novice C-ring pony, and Indyah Madsen, 9, rode the same pony to some top placings.

Kelsea O'Connor, 13, rode Southwind Masquarade against tough competition to win two championships in the galloway and open A-ring sections, while Lori Nalder (Kingcrossed Romeo) won level one training dressage and was named reserve champion saddle hunter novice.

James Duncan also tasted success.

Two weeks ago, Guiver, Tamara Silcock and Amy Hendy took top honours at the South Island Premier Championship show, also in Christchurch.