The Coasties, a small horse sports team from Omaio, have won the prestigious Gamblers Trophy.

The rodeo-oriented sports competition, considered the equine version of Pa Wars, was started in 1993 by the Church family as a fundraising event.

It is held every year, bringing together eight teams from around the North Island to compete on the home turf of the trophy holders. This year it was held in Turangi.

It is the second time the Coasties have won the trophy, the last time being in 2019.

They finished the event with 52 points ahead of Putauaki, with 28 points, and Rūātoki, with 23 points.

Considering themselves the underdogs in the competition, the Coasties are ecstatic about their win and can’t wait to defend their title at next year’s Gamblers competition in Ōpōtiki.

Coasties founder Neville Walker said the day was “awesome”.

He was surprised and thankful to win amid strong competition.

“All eight teams involved; they all turn up there gunning for the shield, and here we are today with the shield.”

Rider Rore Aupouri said it felt great to compete and she enjoyed winning the shield with her team.

“It was a mean feeling, like, you know, that’s like you’re racing the elite of the elite, so, you know, for you to bring home that shield.”

Although the Coasties are based in Omaio, the 2027 event will be held in Ōpōtiki because the rules stipulate the shield must not go further south than Ōpōtiki.

The rule has been in play since the Coasties negotiated their way into the competition 12 years ago – 25 years after the competition began.

It was one of two new rules applied at the time; the other being that if the team the Coasties replaced came back in three years, the Coasties would have to leave.