16/09/2026
Proud moment as Astek Quiesha has been named a Warmblood Association Eventing Horse of Distinction Nominee for her efforts last season.
Huge credit to Brea Walker, who rode her last season and showcased just how capable this special mare is.
This one is especially close to home: Quiesha was bred by Sophie Wilkinson with Sue Fowler's guidance, and it’s a real privilege to see a horse with that foundation being recognised at this level.
We also love seeing the Kinnory Gym Bello influence shining through again, with the lines also represented in another nominee, PH Chardensee Esprit.
Congratulations to everyone involved, and to the NZ Warmblood Association for celebrating performance horses and the people behind them.🎉🎉
🏆 NZWA HORSE OF DISTINCTION AWARDS 2026 – EVENTING 🏆
Since 2021, the New Zealand Warmblood Association has proudly presented our annual Horse of Distinction Awards, recognising outstanding New Zealand-bred Warmbloods performing across Showjumping, Eventing and Dressage.
Last night we celebrated our Showjumping horses, and tonight it’s time to recognise the outstanding New Zealand-bred Warmbloods making their mark in EVENTING.
And once again, we’re fairly certain our winner will surprise absolutely no one!
🌟 2026 NZWA EVENTING HORSE OF DISTINCTION
🏆 CENTENNIAL 🏆
Euro Sport Centavos / Belmont Moonwalker xx / Steal The Show
Breeder: Sonya Mason
Ridden by: Tayla Mason Equestrian
What an extraordinary achievement for a New Zealand-bred horse.
This year, Centennial and Tayla Mason finished an incredible 6th at Badminton Horse Trials - one of the most prestigious and demanding three-day events in the world.
That performance made Centennial unquestionably our standout New Zealand Warmblood on the international eventing stage for the second year in a row!
And there is something particularly special about this combination - Centennial was bred by Tayla’s mother, Sonya Mason. From a breeding decision made here in New Zealand to finishing sixth at Badminton, it is a wonderful example of exactly what these awards were created to celebrate. 🇳🇿
Our Horse of Distinction nominees are drawn from first and second placings at selected events around New Zealand, national series winners and performances at targeted events across all levels.
This year’s Eventing nominees were:
⭐ Hidden Gold (SP Blue Eyed Ghost / Landioso / Wesserwolf)
Breeder: Jody Hartstone
⭐ LT Holst Macintosh (Perigueux / Corrado I / Caretino)
Breeder: Ewen Mackintosh
⭐ Ch*****ne VWNZ (Carpaccio BDV Z / Prestige VDL / Landioso)
Breeder: Vicki Wilson
⭐ Karlos QSH (Euro Sport Centavos / Guidam / Pionier)
Breeder: Barker Ventures Ltd
⭐ Pinewood Cincinati (Euro Sport Centavos / Landioso / Hula Town xx)
Breeder: Celia Watson
⭐ PH Cardensee Esprit (Carrera VDL / Kinnordy Gym Bello / Falkensee)
Breeder: Iris Van Velsen
⭐ Diarnimo (Donnerwind V / Jaguar / Telereign xx)
Breeder: Jeanette Russell
⭐ LV Touch of Success (LV Midge / Dynamit / Coober Prince xx)
Breeder: Little Valley Farm Natalie Woods
⭐ Donero RH (Donnerubin DC / Dream Boy / Clay Hero xx)
Breeder: Victoria Fawcett
⭐ Christopher Robin VWNZ (Carpaccio BDV Z / Euro Sport Centavos / Telereign xx)
Breeder: Vicki Wilson
⭐ Astek Quiesha (Astek Quatermaster / Graf Landau / Silky Baby xx)
Breeder: Sue Fowler
⭐ Double J Icon (Euro Sport Diamant B / Voltaire II / Otehi Bay xx)
Breeder: Robyn Jacobs
⭐ Beaumont Jellybean (Beaumont Blue / Beaumont Pedro / Cautious Style xx)
Breeder: Abby H**e
⭐ Lakoda APH (Jardonnay VDL / Dakar VDL / Macekeeper xx)
Breeder: Derek Brown
What a fantastic representation of the New Zealand-bred Warmbloods competing across the levels of our sport – from our domestic competitions right through to one of the biggest eventing stages in the world.
Sonya Mason, as breeder of Centennial, will receive the beautiful Horse of Distinction crystal trophy, proudly sponsored by MVS EquiBreed
The Horse of Distinction Awards celebrate exceptional performance, but at their heart they are about recognising the breeders behind the horses - the people whose breeding decisions produced the athletes we now see succeeding in sport.
🏷️ Please help us spread the word!
If you know any of the breeders listed above, please tag them in the comments or share this post with them. Not everyone follows our page, and we would love to make sure every breeder knows their horse has been recognised amongst this year’s outstanding nominees.
A huge congratulations to Sonya Mason, Tayla Mason and everyone connected with Centennial, and congratulations to every breeder represented in our 2026 Eventing Horse of Distinction nominations. 🏆🇳🇿
Tomorrow night: our 2026 Dressage Horse of Distinction.
Photo: Tayla Mason on Centennial at this year's Badminton Horse Trials - photo credit to the amazing Libby Law
