Emma Watson is always happy to win a class at the show . . . so she was ecstatic to be heading home from Woodhill Sand’s Fiber Fresh Feeds Grand Prix Showjumping Show with two in the bag.

The 16-year-old from Morrinsville and Maddox Letino took out both the Equissage Horse Grand Prix and the FMG Young Rider classes. “It is always awesome to win one class but to win two is pretty special,” says the Year 11 student.

She teamed up with Letino in February this year when she was loaned the horse for a while. Then when she sold her gorgeous pony Pink (Fun House), she decided there was no better place to spend the money than on the horse she had so quickly formed a solid partnership with.

Today was just their fifth Grand Prix together and while they had been placed in every one, this was their first win. Of the eight starters, they were the only combination to go clear in the opening round.

“It was quite a big track so it was exciting to be the only clear,” said Emma. “While it was big, it wasn’t overly technical, but it was well built.”

They earlier won the FMG Young Rider class, heading home a “speedy” five-strong jump-off. Elmo Jackson (Auckland) and Fairview Animation set the tone with a cracking paced double clear, stopping the clock at 34.85 seconds. “I knew I had to give it everything because I still had Emily (Hayward) and Nicola (Hammond) to come.”

As it was, Emma flew home, double clear in 34.59 seconds. Emma is hoping the wins today will set the scene for the season for her.

In the Country TV Pony Grand Prix, Georgia Bouzaid (Cambridge) and Redcliffs Bill were the only double clear of the jump-off taking the class ahead of Maddison Greatorex (Waipu) and Spotified on four faults. Third-placed Katie Readings (Pukekawa) and Rump Shaker were faster, but paid for it with eight jump faults.

Around 400 horses competed over the two day show. Organisers were chuffed to have their “dream team” back designing the courses with Danielle Watts in ring one, Gina Moss in ring two and Wayne Bragg tasked with ring three.

 

Results –

 

Equissage Horse Grand Prix: Emma Watson (Morrinsville) Maddox Letino 1, Natasha Brooks (Cambridge) Twerk 2, Olivia Dalton (Coatesville) Cil Dara Bonaparte 3, Laura Inkster (Clevedon) Matawai Sentana 4, Emily Hayward (Te Awamutu) Belischi HM 5, Nicola Hammond (Cambridge) Carlo I 6.

 

Country TV Pony Grand Prix: Georgia Bouzaid (Cambridge) Redcliffs Bill 1, Maddison Greatorex (Waipu) Spotified 2, Katie Readings (Pukekawa) Rump Shaker 3, Rylee Sheehan (Te Aroha) Tony The Pony 4, Isabelle Jameson (Whangarei) Pacific Dream 5, Katie Readings (Pukekawa) Circus Girl 6.

 

FMG Young Rider Series: Emma Watson (Morrinsville) Maddox Letino 1, Elmo Jackson (Auckland) Fairview Animation 2, Nicola Hammond (Cambridge) Carlo I 3, Emily Hayward (Te Awamutu) Belischi HM 4, Olivia Dalton (Coatesville) Cil Dara Bonaparte 5.

 

Harrison Lane Pro Am Rider Series: Edward Bullock (Waiuku) High Jump 1, Cerys Tarr (Rotorua) Madam Coco 2, Abby Robinson (Ohaupo) Hillman Hunter 3, Kylee McCambridge (Cambridge) Chicago 4, Christine Cornege (Cambridge) Varekai SL 5, Paula Mussen (Pukekohe) Deja Vu NZPH 6.

 

Equifibre Junior Rider Series: Sophia Blackbourn (Hamilton) Blackall Park Romeo 1, Sophia Hall (Auckland) Blackall Park Pennylane 2, Keeva McCambridge (Auckland) Hey There Delilah HH 3, Natalia Lammers (Whangarei) Petanque 4, Rylee Sheehan (Te Aroha) Bandito NZPH 5, Caira Manson (Auckland) Waitangi Attachment 6.

 

Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider Series: Amelia Clark (Auckland) Master of Hossack 1, Shelley Bridgeman (Auckland) Oaks Vendetta 2, Erica Alderton (Karaka, Franklin) Vivid OL 3.