Heloise Tolo has a bit of a thing going for the Wanganui A&P Show. It is where she notched her first-ever ESNZ Horse Grand Prix win and she backed that up this weekend going one better, taking the quinella.
Last year Heloise and Kiwi Bird won the class but today the honours went to Can’t Touch This NZPH, notching her first-ever Grand Prix win in just her second start at this level. Kiwi Bird was second. The two were the only clears in the opening round of the eight-strong class and Heloise opted not to jump off and gave the nod to Can’t Touch This NZPH.
“She just worked her butt off,” said Heloise. “She was like a little firecracker and jumped her heart out today – she really deserved the win. This was a big step up for her and we actually contemplated whether it was too much of a course for her. It is hard to rate them when you are stepping them up.”
She described the Philippa Howells-designed course as a good height. “It was gappy and rode tough enough. Can’t Touch This NZPH is clear and bloody careful.”
She’s had the nine-year-old since she was five. Heloise, who works full time as a programme coordinator, had surgery on her foot this year which meant she was late getting her horses ready for the season.
She came into the class with Kiwi Bird with next week’s World Cup qualifier in mind. “This was to get her settled and confident and for me to get my eye in.” She has had the 14-year-old for a year-and-a-half now.
“I was really surprised we were the only two clears but I am so thrilled with the girls . . . they were just awesome.”
Heloise says the show is a fun one to compete at and one the organisers worked hard at.
Penny Borthwick (Masterton) and Foxdens Merlot took the honours in the Country TV Pony Grand Prix.
Results –
Show jumping, ESNZ Horse Grand Prix (sponsored by Integrity Motors): Heloise Tolo (Ohariu Valley) Can’t Touch This NZPH 1, Heloise Tolo (Ohariu Valley) Kiwi Bird 2, Sophie Scott (Wellington) Lakota 3, Katharine Van Tuyl (Palmerston North) Centavino 4, Daniel Webb (Hunterville) WSJ Centaur 5, Sophie Scott (Wellington) Glenbrooke Rich as Roses 6.
Country TV Pony Grand Prix (sponsored by Wanganui Veterinary Services): Penny Borthwick (Masterton) Foxdens Merlot 1, Georgie Wilson (Taupo) Showtym Boss 2, Julianne Revfeim (New Plymouth) Spot You Later 3.
Harrison Lane Pro-Amateur Rider Series (sponsored by Kyrewood Park Equestrian Centre): Lucy Fell (Palmerston North) Faratona STS 1, Laura Knight (Rangiotu) Aria 2, Sophie Fourie (Taranaki) Budgie 3, Tanya Hansen (Taranaki) Euro Champagne 4, Chloe Hansen (Palmerston North) Fancy Pants 5, Melanie Cooper (Stratford) Zarlo 6.
Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider Series (sponsored by AGC Training): Charlotte Gray (Levin) Bridgemere Havana 1, Simone McConnell (Tauranga) Country Zena 2, Laine Cameron (Stratford) Pastrana 3, Mack Rennie (Mangaweka) A&P Dream Maker 4, Laura Hutterd (Taranaki) Kiwi Mana 5, Laine Cameron (Stratford) Alejandro 6.
Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider Series (sponsored by Wanganui Towing): Francesca Corich van der Bas (Paraparaumu) LDS Lavanda 1, Anneke van Rooyen (Taumarunui) My Sassy Cat 2, Charley Schrider (New Plymouth) Doris NZPH 3, Amy Gibbs (Marlborough) Eye Wonder 4, Isabella Narracci (Hastings) Silver Casini 5, Georgie Wilson (Taupo) Forest Hill 6.
FMG Young Rider Series (sponsored by Integrity Motors): Sophie Scott (Wellington) Lakota 1, Sophie Scott (Wellington) Silverstar 2, Francesca Corich van der Bas (Paraparaumu) LDS Cardo 3, Karis Spurway (New Plymouth) Kapattack 4, Lily Carpenter (Taihape) Twerk 5, Isabella Narracci (Hastings) Good Time 6.
Show hunter, ESNZ Junior Rider Series (sponsored by Wilpro): Hazel Jones (Plimmerton) Sancho 1, Ella Miranda (Feilding) Kinnordy Go Girl 2.
Gyro Plastics Junior High Points Series (sponsored by Red Lion Inn): Ella Miranda (Feilding) Kinnordy Go Girl 1, Aleisha Blakeley (Otaki) Elation KCE 2, Hazel Jones (Plimmerton) Sancho 3, Molly Pike (Cambridge) Zig Zag 4, Meg Rogers (Ashhurst) Corodano 5.
ESNZ Show Hunter Amateur High Points Series (sponsored by Tint Magic): June Berrington (Whakatane) Kiwi Iron Mark 1, Trudi Lovett (Porirua) Hot Wired 2, Antonio Matangi (Levin) ShoeShine Polish 3, Diana Cottle (Palmerston North) Travino 4, Antonio Matangi (Levin) Marua 5.
Petticoat Lane Performance Horses Adult Rider Equitation Series (sponsored by Totalspan): Laura Van Velthooven (Palmerston North) Montbelle Donahue 1, June Berrington (Whakatane) Kiwi Iron Mark 2, Antonio Matangi (Levin) ShoeShine Polish 3, Diana Cottle (Palmerston North) Travino 4, Anna Ash (Hunterville) Cardonald Rewa Kid 5.
NRM Open Horse High Points (sponsored by Kyrewood Park Saddlery): Chloe Hansen (Palmerston North) Kiwi Motto 1, Laura Van Velthooven (Palmerston North) Montbelle Donahue 2, Antonio Matangi (Levin) ShoeShine Polish 3, Brendon Terrill (New Plymouth) FIS Outrageous 4, Claudia Odlin (Benneydale) Rei Huia Arnie 5.
Float Factory Cat A High Points Series (sponsored by Kerry Flintoff): Zara Sutton (Palmerston North) Chelton Light Secret 1, Emily Oliver (Kapiti Coast) Patui Ataahua 2, Katherine Walker (Paraparaumu) Avataare 3, Addisyn Dingwall (Te Awamutu) Vanace Rosalie 4, Sophia Neale (Palmerston North) Sonrise Essence 5.
ESNZ Show Hunter 12 and under Equitation Series (sponsored by Image Audio): Vienna Wilson (Taupo) Ashbury Robin Hood 1, Zara Sutton (Palmerston North) Chelton Light Secret 2, Isabelle Murrow (Palmerston North) Whistledown Galileo 3, Heidi Fenton (Stratford) Finnagen Sun n Air 4, Sophia Neale (Palmerston North) Sonrise Essence 5.
Fiber Fresh Cat B High Points Series (sponsored by AES Wanganui): Janey Pease (Piopio) Barney Rubble 1, Vienna Wilson (Taupo) Ashbury Robin Hood 2, Chloe Roylance (New Plymouth) Oki Pop 3, Emily Oliver (Kapiti Coast) Summer Fiesta 4, Ella Rouse (Gisborne) Ruby Tunes 5.
Sure Grip Mats Pony Rider Equitation Series (sponsored by Larsen Collison Repairs): Eilidh Gloyn (Palmerston North) Bombay Sapphire II 1, Aleisha Blakeley (Otaki) Evil Zorro 2, Emily Oliver (Kapiti Coast) Summer Fiesta 3, Ruby Hansen-Thomas (Feilding) Red Baron 4, Tommie Day (Kapiti) Kizzy’s Komet 5.
Aniwell Cat C High Points Series (sponsored by Awakeri Farms): Eilidh Gloyn (Palmerston North) Bombay Sapphire II 1, Lyzz Barry (Wanganui) Onetai Cover Girl 2, Molly Pike (Cambridge) Oddfella Ngā Rua 3, Charlotte Conder (Wellington) Sir Bounty Hunter 4, Georgie Harrison (Patea) Colour Me Sassy 5.
For full results, head to www.equestrianentries.co.nz .
By Diana Dobson
18 November 2020