Friday 6 & Saturday 7 November 2026
Mimiwhangata Road, Helena Bay
Riders of all ages and skill levels are welcome to register — first in, first served. Spots are limited and tickets are non-refundable. Spectators are free.
Entries close 31 October 2026.
Proudly sponsored byRound up the whānau — the Ngātiwai Hoiho Challenge returns for its 4th year on the stunning coastline of Mimiwhangata.
A solid weekend of skilled horsemanship and fierce competition.
Nau mai, piki mai, haere mai — tautoko the riders, catch up with whānau and enjoy an epic two days of hoiho action.
There's a stack of awesome prizes to be won and shared across the weekend — with the Supreme Saddle waiting for the rider who earns it.
Three divisions ride on the Friday — kids, rookies, and teams. Every entry dollar goes back out as prize money.
Kids and rookies ride as individuals, heats into a final. Teams are four riders with at least one wahine, riding relay style.
Ten obstacles in a single run — clover leaf jump, log drag, trap empty, double rider, hoof stand ground tie, and five drawn from a hat the day before. A minute on each.
Scored out of ten an obstacle and timed over the course. Youth skip two of them and ride for 80. The fastest run of the day is worth another ten points.
Four races — reversing stock horse, bend the flag, remix medley, flag in flag out. Six barrels mark the lanes, so heats run six at a time.
Win your heat and you're through. Lane numbers go up on this site on the day.
Last race of the day, helmets mandatory. Start backwards, then out around the marker in the water and back along the sand.
Six poles waiting at the far end — pluck one and carry it over the line or you don't place.
( Ngātiwai · Te Tai Tokerau )
Entries are capped and close on 31 October. Once an event fills, riders can go on the waiting list. First in, first served.
Rider entries here, including the Friday kids and rookie divisions. Team Horsesports Jackpot is registered by a team leader on the team page.
Out on the Ngātiwai coast, north east of Whangārei. Camping is free for competitors.
The Ngātiwai Hoiho Challenge is held with the support of the Ngātiwai Trust Board.
