By Diana Dobson
The future stars of showjumping have been crowned at the East Coast Performance Horses National Young Horse Jumping Championships in Hastings.
The Massie family from Dannevirke headed home with two crowns in their truck, with Georgia and Jay-Z GNZ taking out the Four-Year-Old Championship Final and older brother Logan aboard his well-performed Double J Kelvin the victor in the East Coast Performance Horses Five-Year-Old Championship Final. Logan also won the Best Performing Eight-Year-Old aboard Intellect.
The trip north from Wellington was well worth it for Heloise Tolo who with, Can’t Touch This NZPH ,won the Mitavite Six-Year-Old Championship Final.
Olympian Duncan McFarlane (Taupo) took out the Purepine Shavings Seven-Year-Old Championship Final with Be Mine NZPH, another horse by Untouchable M from the New Zealand Performance Horses Ocean Beach breeding programme.
A number of stallions showed the strength in their genes through the performances of their babies at the show, and particularly former Olympic Cup winner EuroSport Centavos who was stallion of the show.
The Young Horse Show has been running for more than 20 years and is seen as the perfect opportunity to highlight the strong bloodlines, breeding and progression of New Zealand’s young showjumping horses.
Georgia Massie (Dannevirke) and Jay-Z GNZ finished the Four-Year-Old Championship with four faults on the board.
Twenty-year-old Georgia was rapt with the youngster, particularly as he is only six months off the break. The gelding is by Clearway, out of Fleet Treat Jnr, who is by Carlando, and was bred by the Golden Grove Stud in Christchurch.
“I did all the handling and then Logan and I broke him in” said Georgia.
They went to a few shows, with the Young Horse Championships their big aim for the season.
“He jumped his best today so I was really pleased with him. Getting out to those other shows earlier was to get him in the ring, confident and jumping from any spot.”
At the championships, they were clear on the first day, had an “unlucky” rail on the second and held on today.
“I thought we were out with that rail” she said. “There were four clears coming into the final day but they all had faults.”
She was confident if she gave the horse a good ride on the final day, he would do his bit and leave everything up.
“He is a very careful jumper. I do think this horse is quite talented. He is quite electric. He’s a bit of a dude at home and really easy to have around.”
The horse is owned by Massie AgriBusiness Ltd.
Next season Georgia plans to do the five-year-old series with Jay-Z GNZ and she will complete her Bachelor of Ag Science at Massey University.
Logan Massie pulled on an impressive double with his victory aboard Double J Kelvin in the East Coast Performance Horses Five-Year-Old Championship.
Last year the Dannevirke combination won the Four-Year-Old crown. The horse is by Double J Repicharge, out of JK Madam Seattle, who is by JK Mazarati, and was bred by the Double J Stables.
“It is always hard to predict how things will go with young horses and three days of jumping but we did build up this so and it’s nice to get the win” said 23-year-old Logan, who is full time farming at the family’s Dannevirke property.
“You can’t afford to make a mistake that first day or you are out, but the horses generally come away from this show and improve.”
It was a hard-fought class with all six place-getters clear.
“It was a quick jump-off and a bit of a scurry for that title.”
Double J Kelvin will now have a break before coming back into work for the Horse of the Year Show.
“He is a small horse with a bit of an attitude but I think he has a big future” says Logan. “I would like to hang on to him for a couple of years. He certainly has plenty of ability to jump some big tracks.”
The horse is owned by Massie AgriBusiness Ltd.
Heloise Tolo (Wellington) aboard Can’t Touch This NZPH edged out her coach Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) on Central Park to take the honours in the Mitavite Six-Year-Old Championship Final.
The 33-year-old is no stranger to the Young Horse Championships, but this was her first crown.
“I do like this show” she said. “It gives you a good gauge on the competition and just where you need to be.”
Tolo tried the horse at the same show last year and have quickly built a solid relationship with her.
“She is small and a little quirky, but with a massive heart. We came here looking for some nice clears, so it was a bit of a surprise to win . . . really great though.”
Tolo and Can’t Touch This NZPH completed the three days with a clean slate. They were last to go in an eight-strong jump-off and Tolo knew the pressure was on with Beatson clear just before her.
Together they have done a few of the age group series classes but she says it can be tricky to know where you are at until the day.
“I find it is quite a step up from the five-year-old.”
The horse is by Untouchable M, out of Questions NZPH who is by Fetiche du Pas. She is owned by Tolo, her parents Janet and Amoso Tolo, and husband Chris Jones.
Purepine Shavings Seven-Year-Old Championship Final winner Duncan McFarlane (Taupo) had nothing but praise for his star mare Be Mine NZPH.
“She jumped great today, just really great” said the Olympian. “I watched Julie (Davey) go in the jump-off and knew I had to get inside her track. Shirley (Be Mine NZPH) is quick so it wasn’t too hard for her.”
She garnered the name Shirley when McFarlane was trying horses to buy last year.
“I had vetted like five horses and we said “surely” this one would pass.”
And so the name Shirley stuck.
“I think she is a grand prix horse for me for the future. She continues to get better every time I bring her out. She is just a neat little mare.”
The combination won the North Island Seven-Year-Old title last month as well, and for her five starts, she has had three wins, a second and a third.
“She figures more out each time.”
McFarlane bought the horse off breeder Warwick Hansen last year.
Be Mind NZPH is by Untouchable M, out of Xena NZPH, who is by Cacao Courcelle. She is owned by McFarlane and his wife Helen McNaught-McFarlane, who was fifth equal in the same class today aboard La Riviere.
McFarlane plans to give the horse a little rest before tilting her for the Horse of the Year Show in March.
“This weekend is a lot of jumping for the horses. It is hard for them, but this is what the class is” he said. “I thought (course designer) Lex Peddie did a really great job out there.”
McFarlane hadn’t contemplated a win at the champs, but was very pleased with the outcome.
“You never go in thinking you will win” he said. “We came here for the miles. With young horses you are trying to train them for the future” this is not the end goal.”
In the show hunter ring, Sacha Rennie (Palmerston North) and Meersbrooke Big Ears (by Electronic Al, out of Meersbrooke No Ears, by Meersbrooke Ambassador) took out the Four-Year-Old Championship Final, with Brooke Edgecombe (Waipukurau) and LT Holst Elizabeth (by Clinton, out of LT Holst Andrea, by Casall) winning the Five-Year-Old Championship Final, Caroline Richardson (Wairoa) aboard Kiwi Corona (by Corofino II, out of Fire, by Distelfink) triumphing in the Six-Year-Old Championship Final, and Lidy Loffler (Wairoa) on Graceful (out of Wander) taking out the Seven-Year-Old Championship Final.
RESULTS
Showjumping
Four-Year-Old Championship Final: Georgia Massie (Dannevirke) Jay-Z GNZ (by Clearway, out of Fleet Treat Jnr, by Carlando) 1, Ally Stevenson (Hastings) Kiwi Sapphire (by Kiwi Legacy, out of Kiwi Opal, by Kiwi Emillion) 2, Tayla Mason (Paraparaumu) Joop Box (by EuroSport Centavos, out of Just Joop, by Abalou), Tayla Mason (Paraparaumu) Westlink (by RH Drum of the West, out of Cufflink, by Leo Caylon), Daniel Webb (Hunterville) Quintecential (by EuroSport Centavos, out of Lilly, by JK Lucas), Lisa Cubitt (Waikato) Astek Vendatta (by Voltaire II, out of Cabernet), Vicki Prendergast (Matamata) Souther Field (by Sangster, out of Chloe, by Glendevon Commander) and Sarah West (Matamata) Mangatu Chrome (by Patches) =3.
East Coast Performance Horses Five-Year-Old Championship Final: Logan Massie (Dannevirke) Double J Kelvin (by Double J Repicharge, out of JK Madam Seattle, by JK Mazarati) 1, Briar Burnett-Grant (Taupo) Fiber Fresh Delphine NZPH (by Kannan, out of Spring NZPH, by Jokus Latour) 2, Luke Dee (Hawke’s Bay) Clearcut Xtreme (by Clearway) 3, Vicki Prendergast (Matamata) Selena C (by Cardento VDL, out of Sofee, by Power Fee) 4, Kim Best (Otane) LT Holst Teacher’s Pet (by Centrico, out of River, by Senator VDL) 5, Georgia Percy (Wairarapa) Double J Image (by Double J Repicharge, sire of dam Omnicorp) 6.
Mitavite Six-Year-Old Championship Final: Heloise Tolo (Wellington) Can’t Touch This NZPH (by Untouchable M, out of Questions NZPH, by Fetiche du Pas) 1, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) Central Park (by EuroSport Centavos, out of Silk and Spice, by Omnicorp) 2, Jaime Campbell (Cambridge) Lara CSNZ (by Lordano, out of Caprice, by Corlando) 3, Harvey Nelson (Havelock North) Ngahiwi Loone (by One Eye, sire of dam Jaguar) 4, Robert Steele (Dannevirke) Two Eye See (by One Eye, out of Mrs Grey, by Telesun) 5,Daniel Webb (Hunterville) Centaur (by EuroSport Centavos, out of Santaurian, by San Luis) 6.
Purepine Shavings Seven-Year-Old Championship Final: Duncan McFarlane (Taupo) Be Mine NZPH (by Untouchable M, out of Xena NZPH, by Cacao Courcelle) 1, Julie Davey (Hastings) JD Ruby (by Indoctro, out of Debutantell, by Distelfink) 2, Samantha Carrington (Takapau) Double J Breeze On (by EuroSport Centavos, out of Double J Breeze On, by Voltaire II) 3, Jesse Linton (Hastings) Eye Wonder (by One Eye, out of Best Bet, by Black Nib) 4, Robert Steele (Dannevirke) Delta Blue (by Littorio, out of Blue Bird, by Billy’s Dream), Lucy Fell (Longburn) Faratona STS (by Appleton DHU, out of Arabella, by Anamour), Daniel Webb (Hunterville) Cheyenne (by EuroSport Centavos, out of Minqua, by Abenaki Chief), Helen McNaught (Taupo) La Riviere (by Lindberg des Hayettes, out of Riviera Van Het, by Calvados), Mackenzie Barclay (Taupo) Cassiento (by EuroSport Centavos, out of Ngamatea, by Like a Stag) and Alannah Jackson (Cambridge) Capbella (by Corofino, out of Lonese) =5.
NZPH style prizes, four-year-old: Lisa Cubitt (Waikato) Astek Vendetta (by Voltaire II, out of Cabernet). Five-year-old: Vicki Prendergast (Matamata) Selena C (by Cardento VDL, out of Sofee, by Power Fee). Six-year-old: Alannah Jackson (Cambridge) Sir Bruce (by Starcraft, out of Bambolear, by Redoute’s Choice). Seven-year-old: Daniel Webb (Hunterville) Cheyenne (by EuroSport Centavos, out of Minqua, by Abenaki Chief)
Leading rider over the age group classes: Tayla Mason (Paraparaumu). Horse & Groom Equine Jobs for best turned out combination: Simon Wilson (Waipukurau) McMillans Whimsical WDS by Katy Barr. Stallion of Show: EuroSport Centavos.
Dunstan Horsefeeds & EquiFibre Junior Rider Series: Sinead Dolman (Gisborne) Kiwi Lansing 1, Briar Burnett-Grant (Taupo) Fiber Fresh Casallita 2, Samantha Carrington (Takapau) Double J Breeze On 3, Georgia Percy (Wairarapa) Lowenbehold 4, Sally Kincheff (Rotorua) Red Socks 5, Sarah West (Matamata) Erl Grey 6.
Caledonian Holdings Amateur Rider Series: Graeme Isaacson (Waipukurau) Pokere 1, Kaleigh Kent (Otane) Double J Sponge Bob Square Pants 2, Jacqui Symes (Waipukurau) Double J Recall 3, Tasha Brown (Bay of Plenty) Beaujolais 4, Jo Andrews (Otaki) Ecxtacy 5, Cindy Dames (Hastings) Chimney Creek 6.
Dunstan Horse Feeds & EquiFibre Pro Amateur Rider Series: Emily Fraser (Bulls) Kiwi Sunray 1, Rebecca Porter (Hastings) Kiwi Jet 2, Lucia Voss (Kawerau) Grand Coeur 36 3, Phillip Steiner (Tauranga) Alaska NZPH 4, Jeremy Whale (Cambridge) DSE Exuberance 5, Sally Clark (Dannevirke) Victoria’s Secret 6.
Dunstan Horse Feeds & EquiFibre Horse Grand Prix: Briar Burnett-Grant (Taupo) Fiber Fresh Cormina Obolensky 1, Matt Irvine (Takapau) Wall Street III 2, Briar Burnett-Grant (Taupo) Fiber Fresh Veroana 3, Melody Matheson (Havelock North) Conyers 4, Helen McNaught (Taupo) Ngahiwi Ned Kelly 5, Robert Steele (Dannevirke) LT Holst Bernadette 6.
Equidays Area Teams’ Competition: Central Districts (Chloe Hansen on Letitbe GNZ, Stephen Nickalls on Letano and Emily Fraser on Kiwi Sunray) 1, Bay of Plenty (Lucia Voss on Grand Coeur 36, Briar Burnett-Grant on Fiber Fresh Casallita and Oliver Croucher on Delta Fasteuex) 2, Central and Southern Hawke’s Bay (Simon Wilson on McMillans Chuck, Logan Massie on Intellect and Robert Steele on LT Holst Bernadette) 3.
Breeder of the Show: New Zealand Performance Horses (NZPH).
Show Hunter:
Four-Year-Old Championship (HOYQ): Sacha Rennie (Palmerston North) Meersbrooke Big Ears (by Electronic Al, out of Meersbrooke No Ears, by Meersbrooke Ambassador) 1, Jo Andrews (Otaki) Coco 2, Olivia Newsom (Tauranga) Bellick ST (by EuroSport Centavos, sire of dam Genius) 3.
Five-Year-Old Championship (HOYQ): Brooke Edgecombe (Waipukurau) LT Holst Elizabeth (by Clinton, out of LT Holst Andrea, by Casall) 1, Tenisha Carey (Taradale) Double J Nicole (by Double J Reperharge, out of Kay, by Backchat) 2, Lidy Loffler (Wairoa) Parafino (by Corofino, out of Miss Mickey, by Edelburg) 3, Charlotte Wing (Hastings) Mistress (by Rip Van Winkle, out of Liquore, by Keeper) and Jaime Campbell (Cambridge) Tabitha (by Tornesch, out of Belize Di Cantero, by Clinton) =4, Olivia Goodsir (Martinborough) A Touch of Faith, Sarah McKinnon (Wairoa) Dakota II and Sacha Rennie (Palmerston North) Meersbrooke Buckle Up (by Tobique, out of Pop Ya Belt, by Strategic Image) =6.
Six-Year-Old Championship (HOYQ): Caroline Richardson (Wairoa) Kiwi Corona (by Corofino II, out of Fire, by Distelfink) 1, Amanda Wilson (Hikurangi) Showtym Burrow (by John Brodie) 2, Kimberly Carrington (Takapau) Double J Promise (by Answer Back, out of Double J Breeze, by Voltaire II) 3.
Seven-Year-Old Championship (HOYQ): Lidy Loffler (Wairoa) Graceful (out of Wander) 1, Sacha Rennie (Palmerston North) Meersbrooke Silent Assassin (by Mick Curtis, out of Tartan Hero, by Heroicity) 2, Hayley-Ann Oakley (Otaki) Carnival (by Jimmy, out of Nadine) 3.