Melody Matheson rides Cortaflex Graffiti MH in the Olympic Cup, Land Rover Horse of the Year 2020, HB A&P Showgrounds, Hastings, Hawke’s Bay, Sunday, March 15, 2020 Copyright Photo: KAMPIC / Sarah Lord

 

Matthews Hanoverians

Sponsors of the Matthews Hanoverians Seven-Year-Old Series

 

There’s always been a very special connection between Matthews Hanoverians and the seven-year-old series, and it runs even deeper now with the passing of one of their superstars.

In 2017 Cortaflex Graffiti MH won the series, and had gone on to continued success including winning World Cup qualifiers, top three of the New Zealand World Cup League, finishing twice runner-up in the Olympic Cup (2020 and 2021), and many other podiums. With her rider Melody Matheson they were members of the ESNZ Trans-Tasman team at HOY too. But the rising 12-year-old mare this week had to be euthanised after complications from a viral infection.

“We had such fun that year she won the series,” says co-owner Angela Miller. “It was such a dynamic and hugely competitive series that year with a number of horses who have gone on to great things. Graffiti was a spectacular mare in great company and it really did spark our interest in sponsoring it further down the line.”

New Zealand’s onshore breeding industry continues to move from strength to strength thanks to the long-standing commitment and drive from the likes of Matthews Hanoverians.

Their horses have shown to be up with the best across dressage and showjumping, with plenty more talent coming through the ranks.

It is the third season this long-standing producer of world class horses have sponsored the seven-year-old series.

Matthews Hanoverians is owned by Judith and Peter Matthews who run their stud in Awanui, Northland. They’ve been breeding for more than 20 years, and while predominantly known for their dressage horses, they have produced some top-flight jumpers too. Matthews Hanoverians was one of the first in New Zealand to perform a successful embryo transfer out of their German import, the now retired St Premium St Wel Katje.

Judith has a long association with equestrian and in 2017 received the Kay Fissenden Memorial Trophy for her outstanding contribution to Dressage New Zealand. She is hailed as a visionary in New Zealand breeding and while she sought initially to breed a good horse for herself, the resulting efforts have most certainly changed the face of dressage competition in this country, and are now also being seen in the jumping arena.

Matthews Hanoverians stars in recent years have included Wendi Williamson’s World Cup finalist Don Amour MH and the late Dejavu MH, and Melody Matheson’s World Cup showjumper and Olympic Cup runner-up Cortaflex Graffiti MH as well as her rising young star Giulia MH and the four-year-old Grenadine MH. Among other impressive jumpers have been Alacazam MH, Roulette MH and Enya MH.

Key to all they do is their ‘bred to perform’ mantra and their progeny certainly backs that up.

 

For more information, head to www.matthewshanoverians.co.nz .

Jumping Team

8 October 2021