Laura Van Velthooven may be able to lay claim to a clutch of New Zealand show hunter titles but today she won her very first Land Rover Horse of the Year title when she and Sirocco Daisy took out the Amateur Show Hunter.
“I am so excited,” said the equine technician from Feilding. “It is great to finally win a title.”
Laura also placed fourth in the title class aboard Montbelle Donahue. “Yes there were nerves today but Daisy felt so good. We went out and did what we normally do. I have had her a long time and she has been a bit of work, but we have finally got there.”
Daisy had a day off yesterday after a busy Wednesday that saw her win the NRM Open High Points Series, the Ultimate Egg Co Amateur High Points Series and help win the ESNZ Adult Equitation Series.
Laura says the 18-year-old horse holds a special place in a lot of people’s hearts. “She’s cool – especially when she has her mind on the job. When she hasn’t she is distracted and hard to ride but today she was just brilliant.”
As part of her prize, she was also awarded the Denise Crispe Memorial Trophy but also a special silver stirrup necklace to mark the 10th anniversary. Denise was a very keen amateur show hunter competitor who died suddenly in 2008 after winning the Open Show Hunter crown. Her family donated the trophy for the winner of the amateur title and this year the necklace to the winner along with nine silver dove lapel pins to the prize winners in the class.
Results –
Amateur Show Hunter of the Year: Laura Van Velthooven (Feilding) Sirocco Daisy 1, Anna Kincheff (Rotorua) Red Socks 2, Stephie Joustra-Smith (Kinloch) Disney 3, Laura Van Velthooven (Feilding) Montbelle Donahue 4, Melanie Dudding (Tuakau) Country Classic 5, Sharyn Goodwin (Te Kowhai) Showtym Duchess 6.
Diana Dobson, 15th March 2019