09/09/2026
New Tour Promises Much for NZ Jumping
The Kiwi Super Classic has grown up. It’s back for a second year, offering top prize money and a strong international flavour. But instead of just a single show at Manfield in Feilding, the showjumping classic has become the classics.
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.
The inaugural show was held in 2025 in Manfield, with organiser Kevin Hansen expanding it into Marlborough for 2027.
He is again on a mission to showcase the sport he loves to much and is bringing together all the necessary ingredients for events to remember . . . the ones you don’t want to miss!
Taking care of the two Blenheim shows is well-respected organiser Helen Ensor and the Marlborough Showjumping Group. They’ve 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 (VEN) 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.
“Marlborough Equestrian Park is renowned for its excellent footing so we know that will be in perfect condition for the two shows being hosted there.”
Hansen and his team put plenty into the grass arenas for the inaugural Classic in 2025 and those will again be in pristine condition for the top-flight competition.
Hansen ran senior trans-Tasman tests at the Horse of the Year Show for nine years on the trot, with the last one held around 12 years ago.
“I’ve had extensive talks with the Aussies and they are keen to come over, so we are looking forward to hosting them here and maybe showing them some of the sights between shows.”
That’s exactly what Leopoldo Palacios plans to do when he’s not designing at the three shows. He’s no stranger to New Zealand having designed at the Horse of the Year Show a number of times when it was run by Hansen. Palacios didn’t hesitate when asked if he would be keen on coming to the Super Classics and is bringing his wife so they can enjoy some quality downtime enjoying a country he has come to love.
Palacios is one of the most highly respected designers in the world, much sought after for his talent.
“I am extremely excited about this tour,” says Hansen. “I’ve got a great bunch around me helping to make this happen and I believe we will deliver something really special for New Zealand jumping.”
One of those is Helen Ensor with her Marlborough Showjumping Group who are known for their exceptionally well run shows at the Equestrian Park.
“This tour is really going to put jumping back on the map on both sides of the Tasman,” says Hansen. “The Aussies want this to happen as much as we do, so we do want everyone to really get in behind it – as a rider, supporter, sponsor or volunteer.”
WHAT: The Kiwi Super Classics Tour
• Manfeild April 2-4, 2027
• Blenheim April 9-11, 2027
• Blenheim April 17-18, 2027
MORE INFO: https://www.kiwisuperclassic.co.nz/
SOCIALS: Facebook Super Classic, Instagram
CAPTION:
Sophie Scott and Normandy GHP competing at the 2025 Kiwi Super Classic. They were New Zealand’s best-performed combination at the recent FEI World Championships in Germany.
Photo by Michelle Clarke Photography
