The rock-clad hills of Alexandra, in Central Otago, will test the 73 riders competing at this weekend’s IDA Garden Bar and Kitchen 2026 New Zealand Trials Championship.
Zack Furniss, 14, of Wellington, has stepped up to the hardest grade – the orange line for the weekend’s IDA Garden Bar and Kitchen 2026 New Zealand Trials Championship being held in Alexandra, October 24-26, 2026. Photo: MNZ/Lynette Barnett
The IDA Garden Bar and Kitchen-sponsored event will be held over three days from Saturday to Monday and is hosted by the Pioneer Motorcycle Club and the Southern Trials Group.
In trials events, riders tackle observed sections one at a time, testing skill, balance and control of rider and machine. Each section has obstacles to overcome, and the aim is to put the fewest feet on the ground.
Recently-appointed Motorcycling New Zealand Trials Commissioner Bevan George says that trials “builds foundation skills that carry over to nearly every other motorcycle discipline, and it’s one of the more affordable ways to get into motorsport. That is because it’s about control rather than speed, there’s a clear progression from new riders learning basic handling, through to the expert class, where riders are tackling seemingly impossible obstacles, with every level in between.”
George commended the organising team for their preparations.
“They have done a great job putting together 12 sections a day, both to challenge the riders and to give spectators something to enjoy. Thanks to the landowners, volunteers and our sponsor IDA Garden Bar and Kitchen for making it happen. Come along and enjoy a superb weekend of moto trials.”
One of the event’s organisers Graeme Hibbs was pleased to see the high number of entries considering “the way the economy is”.
“Alexandra is rated as one of the best venues in the country,” Hibbs explains. “The riders are going to spend three days riding rock faces!”
It is not just the riders who will be able to enjoy this scenic part of the country, as spectating is free, most sections are an easy walk from the road, and the best viewing is between 10am and 2pm.
The current New Zealand champion, New Plymouth’s Matt Foster is returning to defend his title, but according to Hibbs “he will have his work cut out for him”.
Also contesting the Trial 1 class and riding the orange line (the hardest grade) will be John Haynes, Stu Lawton and the Oliver brothers, Nick and Peter.
Young Wellington rider Zack Furniss is “having a crack at the top line stuff” and has stepped up to the orange line for the weekend, Hibbs added. The Year 10 pupil is fresh off a North Island Moto Trials Championships victory last month in the T2 – Expert class, where once again he was the youngest competitor at this level. He also won the Junior class at this championship, adding it to his South Island Moto Trials Championships’ Junior class title.
Motorcycling New Zealand Trials Commissioner Bevan George (pictured) said the organisers had done a great job putting together the courses to challenge the riders and to give spectators something to enjoy. Photo: MNZ/Darren Stanley
The New Zealand Trials Championship includes five other classes catering to the riders’ varying abilities. Among them is a second tier of expert riders, who will contest the red line. Last year’s winner Luke March will have some strong competition from former road racer Ryan Hampton, Nelson’s Patrick Dillon and 17-year-old Finn Pearce.
Now in his 70s, Kevin Pinfold is back and contesting the T3 class, amongst a field of 20 riders. North Island Champion Ricky Hamilton is the favourite to win this class with Carl Robson, Billy McArdle and John Ross also likely to be in contention.
The T4 class looks fairly even this year, although Paul Jackson, who will be riding the oldest bike – a 1960s Francis Barnett – is likely to be a strong contender.
The blue line Trial 5 Clubman’s class has attracted around 20 entries and is a great introduction to the sport of trials riding. This class will feature a couple of up-and-coming Christchurch youngsters; 10-year-olds Liam Ross and Max Blanchard, who will be riding 80cc Betas.
Furniss is the top pick in the Junior class.
There are two women competing this year, with Isabel Hopkins returning after major crash at start of last year competing in T6 and Shirley McDonald competing in T5.
Hibbs says trials is a great sport for families to take part in, and there are 13 combinations of father and son, or daughter, and brothers taking part this weekend.
– Words by Catherine Pattison
FAST FACTS: 2026 IDA Garden Bar & Restaurant New Zealand Trials Championship
24-26 October, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm daily
Day 1 & 2: 1673-1741 Omakau-Chatto Creek Road, Highway 85, Alexandra 9392.
Day 3: 408 – 366 Alexandra – Fruitlands Rd, Highway 8. Signposted from the main road, with red arrows and pink ribbons.
Spectators’ entry is free.
Best time for viewing is 10am to 2pm.
Easy walk to viewing areas, and maps and information are available on-site each day.
More event information and a full entry list is available here.
