Rosa Buist-Brown wins Junior Show Hunter of the Year on Bellick ST at the Horse of the Year Show 9-14 March 2020
Rosa Buist-Brown celebrated her 18th birthday in style this afternoon, winning the Junior Show Hunter of the Year aboard Bellick ST.
The Christchurch teen who is usually found in the showjumping arenas, has had the 17.1hh gelding for just a year. She turned to show hunter to help him with his development.
“This season he was still growing so the showjumping was a bit much of an ask,” she said.
The combination still dabble in showjumping, doing the odd six-year-old and junior rider series classes. Rosa and Bellick ST did just a handful of show hunter classes to qualify for HOY and while she was hopeful they’d do well, she knew nothing was a given.
She was the last to be called back but had no idea what that meant. “I am still learning how show hunter works,” she said.
Bellick on the other hand is taking to it like a duck to water. “He is like an old man. He is a very steady ride and nothing is ever a problem,” says Rosa who last year won the 1.25m pony championship title at HOY.
“Show hunter is quite a lot of fun and a lot slower than showjumping but I am getting used to it. It’s good for Bellick too.”
In preparation for the show she did a lot of watching show hunter to learn as much as she could. “I wasn’t expecting to win – it is very cool.”
Finishing second to her was Bella Ladbrook (Havelock North) and Whakanui Homebrew with Ella Miranda (Feilding) and Kinnordy Go Girl in third.
Results –
Junior Show Hunter of the Year: Rosa Buist-Brown (Christchurch) Bellick ST 1, Bella Ladbrook (Havelock North) Whakanui Homebrew 2, Ella Miranda (Feilding) Kinnordy Go Girl 3, Amelia Newsom (Tauranga) Tribute OL 4, Madison Wiffen (Wellington) Ponga 5, Georgia Allison (Oxford) Hokey Pokey 6.
By Diana Dobson
13 March 2020