Canty MGA End of Season Awards

The following ten Awards are voted for by all CMGA Members at the end of each season

Most improved/consistent rider: Trophy donated by Sue Robertson & Graham Smith

Best combination: Dwight Trophy donated by Jenn Bothwell and Ellen Rose

Most Outstanding Rider: CMGA Trophy

Sportsmanship: CMGA Trophy

Bobby Trophy for Best Pony: Trophy donated by Zydenbos family.

Note - a pony may only win this ONCE.

Best Upcoming rider: Trophy donated by Stewart family

Service to Canterbury Mounted Games: CMGA Trophy

Cutest Combination

Best Fall

Naughtiest pony

2023

Most improved/consistent rider Frida Peltzer

Best combination Dustin Rowlands & Max

Outstanding Rider Dustin Rowlands

Sportsmanship Ruby Stewart

Bobby Trophy for Best Pony Amber – the Gutry Family

Up and coming rider Courtney Ashton

Service to CMGA Bruce Pluck and Jennie Kjelgaard

Cutest Combination Jack Benjamin & Snickers (the manly pony)

Best Fall Christine Lewis at NZ Pairs

Naughtiest pony Copper & Jane at our last competition

2022

Most improved/consistent rider Renee Pluck & Mackenzie Rowlands

Best combination Sue Zydenbos & McCahon

Outstanding Rider Sam Partington

Sportsmanship Pippa Gutry

Bobby Trophy for Best Pony Mel - Kishon Melody (Zydenbos family)

Up and coming rider Mackenzie Rowlands

Service to CMGA Sarah Molyneux

Cutest Combination Quentin Rowlands & Sweetie

Best Fall Courtney Ashton

Naughtiest pony Dexter (Courtney Ashton)

2021

Most improved/consistent rider Frida Peltzer

Best combination Sam Partington & Birdie

Outstanding Rider Dustin Rowlands

Sportsmanship Kate Gutry

Bobby Trophy for Best Pony Birdie (Sam Partington)

Up and coming rider Sam Partington

Service to CMGA Sue Zydenbos / Sue Shanks

Cutest Combination Quentin Rowlands & Sweetie

Best Fall Ellen Rose

Naughtiest pony Sweetie (Quentin Rowlands) & DJ (Pippa Gutry)

2020

Most improved/consistent rider Zara Stewart

Best combination Luci Shanks & Millie

Outstanding Rider Leah Zydenbos

Sportsmanship Luke Zydenbos / Georgia Hendry

Bobby Trophy for Best Pony Millie (Luci Shanks)

Up and coming rider Dustin Rowlands

Service to CMGA Helen Hague

Cutest Combination Beau Hulston & Millie

Best Fall Dustin Rowlands

Naughtiest pony Polly (Dustin Rowlands)

2019

Most improved/consistent rider Zara Stewart

Best combination Luci Shanks & Millie

Outstanding Rider Leah Zydenbos

Sportsmanship Jack Hague

Bobby Trophy for Best Pony Annie (Max Shanks)

Up and coming rider Dustin Rowlands

Service to CMGA Sue Robertson

Cutest Combination Georgia Lewis & Bella

Best Fall Jane Gutry

Naughtiest pony Marilyn (Mackenzie Rowlands)

2018

Most improved/consistent rider Luci Shanks

Best combination Sam Partington & Gemma

Outstanding Rider Leah Zydenbos

Sportsmanship Georgia Hendry

2017

Most improved/consistent rider Sue Zydenbos

Best combination Ellen Jones & Dwight

2016

Most improved/consistent rider Jessica Robertson

Games riders have a great time with their horses and ponies, both learning the skills and enduring the speed of games. But the best we can get from games is one of a few Equine events that are about Teams!
Teams from assisted 7-9 year olds to veteran teams of 50+ years of age!
In between are our competitive teams - who show us all just how it is done!

Canterbury MGA has a strong chore of young riders ready to make an impression on the national scene. Two of the five riders chosen for the last Nations team were from Canterbury and we are a strong force on the national games front with the most riders in any of the NZ mounted games clubs.

Leah Zydenbos - Leah is 18 years old and comes from West Melton. She has several National titles to her name, was part of the New Zealand Under 17 team which WON U17 World Team Champs in 2017 and the IMGA Nations Team Championship winners 2019. She has moved to Hawkes Bay recently to focus on her favourite sport, but still is a valued member of Canterbury MGA. As well as her many personal riding achievements she is also one of our well respected coaches.

Georgia Hendry - Georgia is 20 years old and is well known across the country for her long successful partnership with her pony Smudge. She has represented New Zealand on several occasions - including the Under 17 NZ team to USA (2015) and Ireland (2016) Nations team in South Africa (2016). 'A' finalist in both Open Teams and Pairs National Titles 2018. Georgia has been taking a break to complete her studies, but we hope to see her back this season.

Max Shanks - Max is 18 years old and regulary seen giving the two girls above a real run for their money on his talented pony Annie. This year he gained a credible 4th placing in the A final for Open Individuals Nationals (being the top boy in the age group), he was selected to travel to Kentucky in 2018 to compete in the Nations championship on the New Zealand team and was also on the winning Nations team this year with Leah.

Luci Shanks & Ruby Stewart - This terrific duo have had national success winning the Under 12 National pairs title for the last two years at HOY. They were the top two riders in the Under 12 section at this years NZ Individuals title, with Luci just beating her best friend in an exciting tie breaker. Luci was selected as reserve for the recent Nations competition in the reserve Champion NZ Silver team.