Vienna Wilson and her family clock some serious miles through the season but it’s all worthwhile when they win top awards.

Vienna and Ashbury Robin Hood are the winners of the inaugural ESNZ Show Hunter 12 and Under Equitation Series after winning 11 of their 16 starts. “We are both perfectionists,” says the 12-year-old from Taupo.  “It is so exciting to win this. In 2019 I was second in the Cat B title to my sister Libby, so this is just awesome really.”

Lucky, as Ashbury Robin Hood is known by his mates, has been with Vienna for three years now and this was their last season together. The 13.2hh bay with four white socks and a big blaze is known to have a little sass. “He is very spunky to ride but he likes things to be perfect when it comes to the ring. He really knows how to do his job. Whenever you pull out a camera he poses too.”

They travelled far and wide during the season, heading to shows that fitted the schedules of all three girls – Vienna and Libby in show hunter and Georgie in showjumping.

But Vienna thinks her best win was at Foxton where she won the overall points for the 12 and under equitation over the two days garnering her a cover – her only one of the season. She and Lucky have also been on song in working hunter too.

Vienna is trained by mum Lisa but says mostly she just likes to do her own thing. “I have never won anything like this before so it is special. I just love Lucky. He is such fun to go riding out on the farm too – he really enjoys that.”

She is sad to be selling the pony but says it will have to be “the perfect home” for him.

Vienna’s attention now moves to her sister Georgie’s Grand Prix pony Showtym Boss to prepare for next season. “He can be a bit of a handful so it depends how I get on with him!”

In today’s grand final Vienna and Lucky had to settle for third place, with the win going to Brooke Scrivener (Helensville) aboard Fordlands Moonmist with Olivia Mehrtens (Canterbury) and My Gemma Bear in second.

 

Results –

ESNZ Show Hunter 12 and Under Equitation Series Results: Vienna Wilson (Taupo) 74 points 1, Lucy Honeywell (Ashburton) 51 points 2, Grace Roy (Gore) 48 points 3, Brooke Scrivener (Helensville) 47 points 4, Bridie King (Pahiatua) 42 points 5, Anna Smith (Wyndham) 41 points 6.

 

ESNZ Show Hunter 12 and Under Equitation Series Class Placings: Brooke Scrivener (Helensville) Fordlands Moonmist 1, Olivia Mehrtens (Canterbury) My Gemma Bear 2, Vienna Wilson (Taupo) Ashbury Robin Hood 3, Isabelle Murrow (Palmerston North) Whistledown Galileo 4, Summer Roy (Gore) Lakewood Falcon 5.

 

For full series results, head to www.nzequestrian.org.nz

 

For full show results, head to www.main-events.com

 

By Diana Dobson
11 April 2021