Briar Burnett-Grant got rid of her last fence bogey to take out the POLi Payments Premier League Horse Grand Prix at Woodhill Sands yesterday.
The Taupo teen and Fiber Fresh Veroana were one of just two combinations from the eight starters through to the jump-off over the Gerrit Beker-designed course at the two-day Collinson Forex Premier Showjumping Show.
First out was Jasmine Sketchley (Whangarei) aboard her chestnut stallion Bravado Ego Z who had eight faults in 50.11 seconds. Not wanting to leave anything to chance, Briar put her foot down, coming home double clear in a typically speedy 43.93 seconds.
“It was nice to be second out,” said 19-year-old Briar whose last fence rail twice cost her wins in the World Cup this season. “I would have won both had that not happened. I think my problem was that I was being too careful and picky coming into the last so (trainer) Jeff (McVean) told me I just had to keep going down to the vertical. It was great to have a win like that.”
When she was just 17, Briar and Fiber Fresh Veroana won the coveted Olympic Cup at the Horse of the Year Show and she’s looking to repeat that this year. Between now and then, she’s planning to take the 11-year-old roan to Taranaki and then Takapoto. “I can’t believe he is 11 . . . it seems like just last season he was seven.”
However, no-one has told the gelding that he’s getting older. “He is definitely my style of horse!”
In the Country TV Pony Grand Prix, just two of the 12 starters came back with Sophia Hall (Auckland) and TCH Centadel owning the class with their double clear in 39.75 seconds. Aimee Collinson (Clevedon) and Moonlight Glow were also double clear but slightly slower with their 41.48 second effort.
Organisers were very happy with the show, which attracted around 380 combinations. Angela Nobilo said plenty of effort had gone into ensuring the grass arena was in tip-top shape, and it didn’t disappoint, jumping superbly for all. She was keen to remind everyone that plans are well on track to again host the FEI New Zealand League World Cup Final at the venue next year.
Results –
POLi Payments Premier League Horse Grand Prix: Briar Burnett-Grant (Taupo) Fiber Fresh Veroana 1, Jasmine Sketchley (Whangarei) Bravado Ego Z 2, Glen Beal (Pukekohe) All Expenses of Renton 3, Annabel Francis (Taupo) Carado GHP 4, Sarah West (Matamata) Oaks Centurian 5, Emelia Forsyth (Clevedon) Henton Faberge 6.
Country TV Pony Grand Prix: Sophia Hall (Auckland) TCG Centadel 1, Aimee Collinson (Clevedon) Moonlight Glow 2, Katie Bridgeman (Auckland) Tallyho Scoundrel 3, Georgia Bouzaid (Cambridge) Redcliffs Bill 4, Madison Jackson (Pukekohe) Rednalhgih Cowan 5, Maddison Greatorex (Waipu) Spotified 6.
FMG Young Rider: Leeshelle Small (Ramarama) AMS Glenbrooke Archie Bunker 1, Briar Burnett-Grant (Taupo) Fiber Fresh Veroana 2, Colleen Crous (Auckland) Orames Girl VDL 3, Nicola Hammond (Cambridge) Carlo I 4, Kate Herdson (Ararimu) Idol D 5, Emily Hayward (Te Awamutu) Belischi HM 6.
Harrison Lane Pro-Amateur Rider: Jaime Tiller (Cambridge) Lanice van de Heffinck 1, Vicki Ridley (Karaka) Mosaic II 2, Mitty Forsyth (Clevedon) Illustrious 3, Paula Mussen (Pukekohe) Déjà vu NZPH 4, Emma Gaze (Ohaupo) Kowhai Bug 5, Kylee McCambridge (Cambridge) Chicago 6.
Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider: Ashley Johnston (Wellington) Miss Vee NZPH 1, Chelsey Hawthorn (Waikato) Wabi Sabi 2, Shelley Ross (Helensville) Red for Now 3, Jordana Del La Varia (Auckland) Gabriel HH 4, Jeremy Clark (Te Kauwhata) Cancion HSH 5, Georgia Sheard (Kaukapakapa) Redcliffs Armani RF 6.
EquiFibre Junior Rider: Georgia Bouzaid (Cambridge) AP Ninja 1, Isabelle Jameson (Whangarei) Di Caprio CSNZ 2, Karis Spurway (New Plymouth) Kapattack 3, Rylee Sheehan (Te Aroha) Bandito NZPH 4, Madison Jackson (Pukekohe) Kiwi Monarch 5, Olivia Newsom (Tauranga) Caretino Jewel 6.
Main Events NZ University Series: Nicholas Beal (Pukekohe) FIS Outrageous 1, Emelia Forsyth (Clevedon) Catapult Xtreme 2, Kate Herdson (Ararimu) Miss Poppet 3, Elmo Jackson (Auckland) Miss Clementine 4.
Matthews Hanoverians Seven-Year-Old: Vicki Prendergast (Matamata) Selena C 1, Oliver Croucher (Cambridge) Scotsmans Valley 2, Laura Inkster (Clevedon) Nikama MVNZ 3, Paula Mussen (Pukekohe) Déjà vu NZPH 4, Samantha Peters (Cambridge) Dodge NZPH 5, Jasmine Sketchley (Whangarei) Lafayet Ego Z 6.
Cheleken Equestrian and Ultramox Six-Year-Old: Kate Herdson (Ararimu) Beau Balou 1.
East Coast Performance Horses Five-Year-Old: Michelle Wakeling (Wellsford) BMW Chaccolilli and Laura McGregor (Auckland) Pure Cadence =1.
Alltech Pony Grand Prix Super Series: Leah Kelly (Awhitu) Cha Chiong 1, Madison Jackson (Pukekohe) Wilful 2, Florry Kempster (Tuakau) Just Simply Red 3, Grace Webb (Warkworth) Lay Z Lad 4, Bailee Sterling (Warkworth) Tallyho Mozart 5.
Outpost Buildings Horse GP Super Series: Jaime Tiller (Cambridge) Lanice van de Heffinck 1, Christine Cornege (Cambridge) Varekai SL 2, Catherine Cameron (Cambridge) Kingslea Couture 3, Sarah West (Matamata) Delamerie Sun 4, Annabel Francis (Taupo) Cherokee NZPH 5, Olivia Dalton (Karaka) Cil Dara Bonaparte 6.
Full results: www.equestrianentries.co.nz
By Diana Dobson
13th January 2020