Sophie Scott has been consistently in the line-ups but today was special at the Bayleys Real Estate & Gyro Plastics Wellington-Horowhenua Jumping and Show Hunter Championships, when she and Lakota notched their first-ever ESNZ Horse Grand Prix victory.
“My plan today was just to go clear in the first round,” said the 18-year-old from Wellington. “He does love a good jump-off though, so I thought we would give it a crack . . . and it definitely paid off.”
The top three in the nine-strong field were all double clear with Sophie and her 13-year-old New Zealand sport horse stopping the clock at 33.4 seconds over the Heather Macdonald -designed course, with Tegan Fitzsimon (West Melton) and Windermere Cappuccino just a smidgen behind in 33.94 seconds. Tegan was also third aboard Campari who came home in 34.28. Sophie was also sixth aboard Glenbrooke Rich as Roses.
“He (Lakota) is such a cool horse,” says Sophie, who last season had three FEI 1* starts with Lakota, including two top 10 finishes. “He always tried his heart out every time he goes into the ring.”
But there were some big names alongside her. “And they’ve done great things, so we just go out and do the best we can on the day.”
She watched Tegan go and figured the best thing she could do was let Lakota just “do his thing”. “He was very good and it is so cool to get that win.”
Sophie has just qualified as a vet technician and figures she will get a part time job that allows her to follow her passion in riding. It’s a busy run with three of her own horses to compete, along with five more she rides for others.
Eleven started the Country TV Pony Grand Prix with just four coming back for the jump-off. Tess Mason (Napier) and Mr Acho were too good for the field, flying home double clear in 32.38 seconds with runner-up Anna Wilson (Waipukurau) and Redcliffs Bill also all clean but crossing the flags in 37.1 seconds.
The championships were held at the Central District Equine Park in Foxton.
Results –
ESNZ Horse Grand Prix (sponsored by Bayleys Real Estate): Sophie Scott (Wellington) Lakota 1, Tegan Fitzimon (West Melton) Windermere Cappuccino 2, Tegan Fitzsimon (West Melton) Campari 3, Katharine Van Tuyl (Palmerston North) Centavino 4, Heloise Tolo (Wellington) Kiwi Bird 5, Sophie Scott (Wellington) Glenbrooke Rich as Roses 6.
Country TV Pony Grand Prix (sponsored by Anna Trent Equestrian): Tessa Mason (Napier) Mr Acho 1, Anna Wilson (Waipukurau) Redcliffs Bill 2, Georgie Wilson (Taupo) Showtym Boss 3, Penny Borthwick (Masterton) Foxdens Merlot 4, Dylan Bibby (Onga Onga) Daisy Patch 5, Lucy Buchanan (Hastings) Redcliffs Colour Me Quick 6
FMG Young Rider Series (sponsored by Versatile Buildings): Samantha Carrington (Takapau) Double J Breeze On 1, Sophie Scott (Wellington) Lakota 2, Sophie Scott (Wellington) Silverstar 3, Dylan Bibby (Onga Onga) Wenrose Vertigo 4, Ike Baker (Raukawa) Hawkesdale Mahe 5, Aisha Loumachi (Palmerston North) Waitangi Sky Net 6.
Main Events Tertiary Series (sponsored by Otaki Tyre Repairs): Ike Baker (Raukawa) NW Conrado 1, Jaime Watters (Colyton) Solstice 2, Lola Slaughter (Wellington) Scenario 3, Jessie Goggin (Wellington) Miss Cassini MS 4, Jennalee Rose (Dannevirke) Silent Witness 5, Samantha Megchelse (New Plymouth) Rata Mill Eclipse 6
Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider Series (sponsored by the Corich Family): Francesca Corich van der bas (Paraparaumu) LDS Lavanda 1, Kimberley Carrington (Takapau) Double J Barmaid 2, Tim Wilson (Waipukurau) McMillans Chuck 3, Samantha Carrington (Takapau) Double J Hurricane 4, Georgie Wilson (Waipukurau) Forest Hill 5, Anneke van Rooyen (Taumaranui) My Sassy Cat 6.
Harrison Lane Pro-Amateur Rider Series (sponsored by Vets on Riverbank): Tanya Hansen (Oakura) Euro Champagne 1, Lucy Fell (Palmerston North) Faratona STS 2, Kelly Smith (Foxton) Kings Larkin 3, Noni Morgan (Hastings) Starlight Discovery 4, Jessie Goggin (Wellington) Miss Cassini MS 5, Deanika Vink (Taranaki) Cadenza Xtreme 6.
Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider Series (sponsored by Lease Solutions): Kaleigh Kent (Otane) Double J Sponge Bob Square Pants 1, Jo Andrews (Otaki) Coco Petite 2, Charlotte Gray (Levin) Bridgemere Havana 3, Dani Miller (Waipukurau) Big Easy 4, Tiegan Holt (Hastings) Beaujolais 5, Tiegan Holt (Hastings) Tinted Blue 6.
East Coast Performance Horses Five-Year-Old Series (sponsored by Hairmode): Kimberley Carrington (Takapau) Double J Typhoon, Rachel Nelson (Havelock North) Good Tune NZPH, Tanya Hansen (New Plymouth) Ngahiwi Specter and Ike Baker (Raukawa) Double J Graduate =1.
UltraMox Six-Year-Old Series (sponsored by Gorge Equestrian): Sophie Scott (Wellington) Joopiter, Samantha Carrington (Takapau) Double J Hurricane and Jesse Linton (Hastings) Keltern William =1.
Matthews Hanoverians Seven-Year-Old Series (sponsored by Xtreme Sport Horses): Kelly Smith (Foxton) Kings Larkin 1, Jaime Campbell (Levin) Carbon Xtreme 2, Sophie Scott (Wellington) Joop Box 3.
Show hunter, ESNZ Show Hunter 12 and Under Equitation Series: Vienna Wilson (Taupo) Ashbury Robin Hood 1, Lily Kent (Waipawa) Ataahua Rapture 2, Zara Sutton (Palmerston North) Chelton Light Secret 3, Bridie King (Pahiatua) Puketawa Puzzle 4, Isabelle Murrow (Palmerston North) Whistledown Galileo 5.
Float Factory Cat A High Points Series: Zara Sutton (Palmerston North) Chelton Light Secret 1, Isabelle Murrow (Palmerston North) Whistledown Galileo 2, Emily Oliver (Kapiti Coast) Patui Ataahua 3, Katherine Walker (Paraparaumu) Avataare 4, Iyve Speirs (Gisborne) Miss Candy Floss 5.
Fiber Fresh Cat B High Points Series: Emily Oliver (Kapiti Coast) Summer Feista 1, Hollie Falloon (Masterton) Domino 2, Hollie Falloon (Masterton) Sweet Tempo 3, Ella Easton (Levin) Matai SB 4, Eilidh Gloyn (Palmerston North) Rustabella 5.
Aniwell Cat C High Point Series: Ruby Hansen-Thomas (Feilding) Red Baron 1, Kaitlin Brown (Wairoa) Tawa 2, Bridie King (Pahiatua) Puketawa Celtic Legend 3, Lyzz Barry (Wanganui) Onetai Cover Girl 4, Eilidh Gloyn (Palmerston North) Bombay Sapphire II 5.
Sure Grip Mats Pony Equitation Series: Kaitlin Brown (Wairoa) Tawa 1, Charlotte Conder (Wellington) Sir Bounty Hunter 2, Hollie Falloon (Masterton) Sweet Tempo 3, Emily Oliver (Kapiti Coast) Summer Fiesta 4, Eilidh Gloyn (Palmerston North) Bombay Sapphire II 5.
ESNZ Show Hunter Junior Equitation Series: Madison Wiffen (Wellington) Ponga 1, Sally Ward (Waipukurau) Paradox 2, Michaelee Head (Cambridge) Miss Mandy 3, Anna Devescovi (Havelock North) Dark Secret 4, Pia White (Masterton) Private Benjamin III 5.
Petticoat Lane Performance Horses Adult Equitation Series: Laura Van Velthooven (Palmerston North) Montbelle Donahue 1, Antonio Matangi (Levin) Shoeshine Polish 2, Diana Cottle (Palmerston North) Travino 3, Rebecca Conole (Masterton) Private Benjamin III 4, Claudia Odlin (Benneydale) Rei Huia Arnie 5.
Gyro Plastics Junior High Points Series: Madison Wiffen (Wellington) Ponga 1, Aleisha Blakeley (Otaki) Elation KCE 2, Sally Ward (Waipukurau) Paradox 3, Molly Pike (Cambridge) Zig Zag 4, Pia White (Masterton) Private Benjamin III 5.
ESNZ Amateur High Points Series: Laura Van Velthooven (Palmerston North) Montbelle Donahue 1, Lisa Kennedy (Bulls) Steelfix 2, Antonio Matangi (Levin) Marua 3, Antonio Matangi (Levin) Shoeshine Polish 4, Rebecca Conole (Masterton) Private Benjamin III 5.
NRM Horse High Points Series: Laura Van Velthooven (Palmerston North) Montbelle Donahue 1, Chloe Hansen (Palmerston North) Kiwi Motto 2, Sarah Jocelyn (Wairarapa) Curioso 3, Madison Wiffen (Wellington) Ponga 4, Antonio Matangi (Levin) Shoeshine Polish 5.
ESNZ Show Hunter 12 and Under Equitation Series: Zara Sutton (Palmerston North) Chelton Light Secret 1, Vienna Wilson (Taupo) Ashbury Robin Hood 2, Lily Kent (Waipawa) Ataahua Rapture 3, Sophia Neale (Palmerston North) Sonrise Essence 4, Isabelle Murrow (Palmerston North) Whistledown Galileo 5.
Float Factory Cat A High Points Series: Zara Sutton (Palmerston North) Chelton Light Secret 1, Sophia Neale (Palmerston North) Sonrise Essence 2, Lily Kent (Waipawa) Ataahua Rapture 3, Isabelle Murrow (Palmerston North) Whistledown Galileo 4, Holly Medlin (Carterton) Awatea Wikatoria 5.
Fiber Fresh Cat B High Points Series: Emily Oliver (Kapiti Coast) Summer Fiesta 1, Henry Martin (Wellington) Waimeha Tayza 2, Hollie Falloon (Masterton) Domino 3, Logan Nation (Pauatahanui) Painterman 4, Ella Easton (Levin) Matai SB 5.
Aniwell Cat C High Point Series: Zoe Wilson (Pukerua Bay) Step it Up 1, Lyzz Barry (Wanganui) Onetai Cover Girl 2, Kaitlin Brown (Wairoa) Tawa 3, Ruby Winder (Feilding) LVS Cookies and Cream 4, Charlotte Conder (Wellington) Sir Bounty Hunter 5.
Sure Grip Mats Pony Equitation Series: Kaitlin Brown (Wairoa) Tawa 1, Hollie Falloon (Masterton) Domino 2, Charlotte Conder (Wellington) Sir Bounty Hunter 3, Rebecca Dickens (Brookby) Chantilly Lace III 4, Eilidh Gloyn (Palmerston North) Bombay Sapphire II 5.
ESNZ Show Hunter Junior Equitation Series: Hazel Jones (Plimmerton) Sancho 1, Michaelee Head (Cambridge) Miss Mandy 2, Madison Wiffen (Wellington) Ponga 3, Kitty White (Masterton) Tripoli 4, Pia White (Masterton) Private Benjamin III 5.
Petticoat Lane Performance Horses Adult Equitation Series: Antonio Matangi (Levin) Shoeshine Polish 1, Rebecca Conole (Masterton) Private Benjamin III 2, Sarah Jocelyn (Wairarapa) Brigadoon 3, Kate Ward () Thornfield Athenry 4, Claudia Odlin (Benneydale) Rei Huia Arnie 5.
Gyro Plastics Junior High Points Series: Madison Wiffen (Wellington) Ponga 1, Michaelee Head (Cambridge) Miss Mandy 2, Jessica Todd (Wellington) Cavallo 3, Molly Pike (Cambridge) Zig Zag 4, Hazel Jones (Plimmerton) Sancho 5.
ESNZ Amateur High Points Series: Antonio Matangi (Levin) Marua 1, Rebecca Conole (Masterton) Private Benjamin III 2, Antonio Matangi (Levin) Shoeshine Polish 3, Holly Wright () Destiny’s Duchess 4, Kate Ward () Thornfield Athenry 5.
NRM Horse High Points Series: Kate Fleming (Pauatahanui) Goldstone Hawk 1, Antonio Matangi (Levin) Shoeshine Polish 2, Sarah Jocelyn (Wairarapa) Brigadoon 3, Jessica Todd (Wellington) Cavallo 4, Brigitte Neal (Wellington) Amazon 5.
For full results, head to www.equestrianentries.co.nz
By Diana Dobson
1 December 2020