Kiwi Super Classic Set to Soar

There’s a new show on the calendar, and it has quickly turned into the talk of the town.

The Cartown Kiwi Super Classic – an exciting new high-octane show packed with competition, entertainment and shopping – is the brainchild of longtime show organiser Kevin Hansen.

He and his passionate and experienced team at Manawatu Equestrian have brought together an event that offers top prize money across the grades for three thrilling days from December 19-21 2025.

“I want this to become one of the go-to shows in New Zealand,” says Kevin. “The grass surfaces here will be the best in the country by the time we have finished with them.”

That work has already started with a turf expert working his magic on the arenas. All the competition at the Super Classic will be outside, with plenty of focus on the two main ones.

“We know the surfaces need to be better here so have invested in an expert to do just that for our inaugural show.”

Manfeild Park was initially set up as an equestrian and car racing venue as well as a community hub. “Equestrian needs to succeed here,” says Kevin, who is on the Manfeild Park Trust. “The venue and province is crying out for a high-class show and I am determined to make that happen.”

The schedule has been the four ‘star’ events – Super Stars, Stars in Your Eyes, Rising Star and Young Stars – with plenty of prize money. The Grand Prix has $6000 up for grabs, while the 1.3m Super Stars final has $18,000, the 1.2m Stars in Your Eyes final $15,000, the Rising Star final $5000, and the 1.05m Young Stars final $1570. All of the ‘star’ finals are run as a two-round Grand Prix.

Aussie FEI Level 3 course designer Michael Haese is tasked with the Kiwi Arena and is looking forward to working his magic on grass – his favourite surface. His work has taken him all over the world, and he’ll be heading to the Lyon CSI5*-W in France just before the Super Classic. This year, he designed for the FEI Jumping Children’s Classic.

ESNZ Level 2 designer Lex Peddie is the man in the Bright Star Arena. He’s no stranger to Kiwi jumpers and is known for his fair but challenging courses.

“It is going to create some very exciting competition for those lower-grade horses,” says Kevin.

He was a top rider in his day and is currently an FEI Level 3 course designer. He is hugely passionate about equestrian, but long felt there was a gap in the national showjumping scene.

“I am increasingly finding normal Grand Prix shows and series classes are boring and want to change that. New Zealand finds it hard to be world class in New Zealand over international tracks yet I truly believe we are among the world’s best up to 1.3m,” he says. “This is a start that will make a difference.”

The show is not just about top-flight competition, but also offers a wealth of entertainment, including two nights of Professional Bull Riding featuring some of the best from both sides of the Tasman.

Trade inquiries have been flooding in, too, as more and more people want to be part of this exciting new event.

The schedule will be out soon on eveoevents.co.nz, and keep an eye on our Facebook for the latest news as it happens.

WHAT: Cartown Kiwi Super Classic

WHEN: December 19-21, 2025

WHERE: Manfeild Park, Feilding

Words by Diana Dobson - The Black Balloon