Rokeby La Belle, Kismaayu Dahlia, Regal Lord Win 2026 New Zealand Young Horse Championships

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2026 New Zealand Young Horse Championships

The 4-year old Rokeby La Belle, the 5-year old Kismaayu Dahlia, and the 6-year old Regal Lord became the winners of the 2026 New Zealand Young Horse Championships held in Taupo on 5 - 7 March 2026.

The National Championships consisted of two rounds: a first round after which the top three highest scoring horses competed in a finals.

Six horses contested the 4-year old division and it was Holly Moorman who steered the NZ Hanoverian bred Rokeby La Belle (by Le Formidable x Zonik) to the title. The former German based Holly Moorman, who rode for Warwick McLean, scored 78.6 in the final after also winning the first round with 76 points. The bay mare is bred by Catherine Smith and owned by the rider.

The 5-year old division saw seven pairs participate and Moorman scooped up her second title of the weekend, this time aboard the Hanoverian mare Kismaayu Dahlia (by Danciano x Sir Donnerhall). Bred by Debra Bromiley and owned by Brina Carpenter, the bay mare scored a winning total of 79 points in the final after winning the first round with 75.6 points.

Five horses competed in the 6-year old division but only two contested the final round. Caroline Houghton stopped Moorman from completing a hattrick. Houghton won the finals aboard her own Regal Lord, a Hanoverian gelding by Lauries As x Lanthan, who is bred in Australia by Regal Warmbloods. She scored 72.6 in the finals after placing third in the first round with 66 points.

Photos © Libby Law

Results - 2026 New Zealand Young Horse Championships - Taupo

4-year olds

1. Rokeby La Belle (NZ Han, by Le Formidable x Zonik) - Holly Moorman - 78.6
2. Viva Amore MH (NZ Han, by Viva Gold x Anamour) - Reece Downham - 74
3. Riverrock Stella (NZ Han, by Sezuan x Fugato OLD) - Sophie de Clifford - 73.2

5-year olds

1. Kismaayu Dahlia (Han, by Danciano x Sir Donnerhall) - Holly Moorman - 79
2. Koru Chanel (NZWB, by Furst Hit x Lessing) - Sophie Griffith - 72.6
3. Beauden MH (NZ Han, by Bellario x Gymnastik Star) - Georgia Mullins - 71.2

6-year olds

1. Regal Lord (Han, by Lauries As x Lanthan) - Caroline Houghton 72.6 -
2. Satine Wds (NZWB, by Secret x Charlton Javelin) - Holly Moorman - 70.8