Kim Best is no stranger to winning age group series honours, and this year has added the Mitavite Speedi-Beet Six-Year-Old Series to her cabinet trophy.

Riding LT Holst Teacher’s Pet, Kim finished a comfortable 14 points clear of Melody Matheson (Hastings) aboard Cortaflex Enya MH who placed second in the series but won the grand final.

Kim has had the Ewen Macintosh-bred mare since she was three. “It was a really windy day when I tried her and the barrels were blowing everywhere but she didn’t care about anything,” says Kim. “I knew then she would be perfect for me and it’s turned out that way. She has such a lovely temperament, is laid back and very careful but also has a lot of spunk.”

She figures she and Marge – as Teacher’s Pet is known at home – are well suited. “She’s a horse who just keeps surprising me really – if I don’t muck her up, she’s more than capable. Marge just doesn’t make mistakes – she has a nice mix of being very brave and careful at the same time.”

Kim has a long and very successful history in producing young horses. “I do love it,” she says, “and find it very satisfying.” The age group series are great to be part of too and I enjoy them a lot. It allows you to be competitive in your own division.”

Her long term aim is to be once again competitive at grand prix level. “But on the way it is lots of fun riding and competing at this level. I am really looking forward to the seven-year-old series next season!”

With six-year-old Will and three-year-old Pippa at home, Kim says it is important any horses she has need to be family-orientated. “They need to be able to cope it I can’t get to ride, and Marge is perfect for that. I absolutely love her. In the past we have produced everything to sell but she is one I am thinking I should keep to go up to the higher levels.”

But that said, Kim is loving every day of competition. “I am finding it as fun and satisfying at this level as it was back in the day when I was jumping bigger things.”

In the grand final at Glistening Waters, just five of the initial 12 starters came back for the jump-off where Melody and her lovely big grey Cortaflex Enya MH rode a super double clear to take the win in 41.16 seconds. Paula Mussen (Pukekohe) and her dapple grey Déjà vu MH were all clear jumping but picked up a single time penalty in their 58.18 second round to place second with Logan Massie (Dannevirke) and Double J Kelvin third with their four fault effort. Series winner Kim and LT Holst Teacher’s Pet placed fourth, after also picking up four faults in a slightly slower time.

 

By Diana Dobson

 

Results –

 

Mitavite Speedi-Beet Six-Year-Old Series:

1st Kim Best (Hastings) LT Holst Teacher’s Pet (by Centrico, out of River who is by Sentador VDL) 72 points

2nd Melody Matheson (Hastings) Cortaflex Enya MH (by Edward, out of Grandessa MH who is by Gymnastik Star) 58 points

3rd Logan Massie (Dannevirke) Double J Kelvin (by Double J Repicharge, out of JK Madam Seattle who is by JK Mazarati) 56 points

4th Paula Mussen (Pukekohe) Déjà vu NZPH (by Untouchable M, out of Rivera NZPH who is by Jokus Latour) 54 points

5th Tegan Fitzsimon (Christchurch) Campari (by Corofino II, out of Lillana who is by Littorio) 49 points

6th Vicki Wilson (Hastings) Daminos TWS (by Diarado, out of B’lanca Nieve who is out of Cashas) 46 points

 

Mitavite Speedi-Beet Six-Year-Old Grand Final:

1st Melody Matheson (Hastings) Cortaflex Enya MH (by Edward, out of Grandessa MH who is by Gymnastik Star)

2nd Paula Mussen (Pukekohe) Deja vu NZPH (by Untouchable M, out of Rivera NZPH who is by Jokus Latour)

3rd Logan Massie (Dannevirke) Double J Kelvin (by Double J Repicharge, out of JK Madam Seattle who is by JK Mazarati)

4th Kim Best (Hastings) LT Holst Teacher’s Pet (by Centrico, out of River who is by Senator VDL)

5th Georgia Percy (Masterton) Double J Image (by Double J Repicharge, out of Irish Mac who is by Omnicorp)

6th Tegan Fitzsimon (Christchurch) Campari (by Corofino II, out of Lillana, who is by Littorio)