Young Kiwi showjumper takes out three year-end titles

Emily Hayward-Morgan, only aged 16-year-old, has taken out  three year-end titles at the Equestrian Sports New Zealand Showjumping and Showhunter gala awards. The young New Zealand showjumper is thought to be the first rider to pick up series victories at all three levels – junior (12-18 year olds), young rider (14-21 year-olds) and open (over 21) in the same season.

While Hayward-Morgan and AP Ninja couldn’t quite lift the final, falling just short in the jumpoff, her second behind Lucy Akers on Tinapai was enough to give her the series win by 8 points, topping off what has been a phenomenal season. But she wasn’t quite finished, coming out to win the Excel Premier League series final, which elevated her to fifth equal overall in the series.

“There are are no words to describe it really. It’s been perfect,” the Year 11 student at Te Awamutu College said at the weekend’s award ceremony.

Title defender Ashburton's Candace Kingsbury paid heavily not attending the series final.