Emma Watson and Maddox Letino en route to victory in the FMG Young Rider Series class at the Auckland February Jumping Show.
Photo by Cornege Photography
Emma Watson is loving what she calls her “cruisiest season” ever with wins a complete bonus. This time she steered 13-year-old Maddox Letino to a comfortable win in the FMG Young Rider Series class at the Auckland February Jumping Show.
“This is probably the cruisiest season I have ever had,” says the 18-year-old from Morrinsville. “It is so nice to get out and have fun and not worry about anything. I have no pressure on me, so when a win comes off it is extra special.”
She’s had Maddox Letino – Lime to his mates – since she sold her superstar pony Funhouse. “He tries so hard every time. We have had five Young Rider starts this season for two wins and two placings.”
That’s particularly good when you consider the horse was out for a year with injury and this is his ‘easing back into it’ season. “We’ve had a couple of quiet weeks leading into the show so I just wanted to cruise around and pick up a ribbon if we could. We were just happy to be out jumping.”
That said, she knows only too well the talent she’s sitting on. Twelve started the class with four coming back for the jump-off where Emma and Maddox Letino were the only double clear combination. Tara Gower (Ohura) and Double J Image came in for second with Tyla Hackett (Waiuku) third on Global PH Cocofino.
“I was third to go in the jump-off with Tara to follow me. I used to compete Double J Image so knew they could pull it off. I wanted a clear round because I certainly didn’t want to be fourth! I knew I had to keep moving forward and go clear.”
Ashley Johnston (Whangarei) continued her dominance of the Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider Series with another victory aboard her “horse of a lifetime” Miss Vee NZPH. Carissa McCall (Taupaki) and Oaks Diabella won the Harrison Lane Pro-Am Rider class with Charlotte McGuire (Lichfield) and Matrix I Spy taking out the Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider class.
Daniel Blundell (Tauranga) headed home both the horse and mini grand prix of the show with his team. Twelve started the Jacks Ridge 1.45m Horse Grand Prix (non-series) with four coming back for the jump-off where Daniel’s smart time of 42.34 seconds aboard Cadenza NZPH ruled. Olympian Sam McIntosh (Cambridge) and Takapoto Alaid de Chez Nous were second in 43 seconds with Emelia Forsyth (Clevedon) third and fourth with Wallflower and Henton Faberge.
Daniel was also at the front of the 21-strong Inkster Landscapes 1.35m Horse Super Series, this time aboard Oprah MVNZ. Just four came back for the jump-off with Daniel and show chair Paula Mussen (Pukekohe) aboard Déjà vu NZPH both keeping their slates clean. However, it was Daniel’s 44.98 second that won the day over Paula’s 51.62. Tara Gower (Ohura) rounded out a good show with her third placing aboard WTF Cabello.
The two day show attracted 310 combinations. Edward Bullock was the course designer in ring one.
Results –
FMG Young Rider Series (sponsored by GJ Gardner Homes): Emma Watson (Morrinsville) Maddox Letino 1, Tara Gower (Ohura) Double J Image 2, Tyla Hackett (Waiuku) Global PH Cocofino 3, Aimee Collinson (Clevedon) Deo Volente 4, Tara Gower (Ohura) WTF Cabello 5, Charlotte Wear (Taupo) Double Shot NZPH 6.
Harrison Lane Pro-Am Rider Series (sponsored by Hyde Farm Agistment): Carissa McCall (Taupaki) Oaks Diabella 1, Vicki Ridley (Karaka) Mosaic II 2, Kristi Salonius (Cambridge) MF Starbound 3, Tessa Ranger (Whitford) Lavello 4, Olivia Forster (Cambridge) Cassino du Domaine 5, Michelle Wakeling (Wellsford) BMW Chaccolilli 6.
Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider Series (sponsored by Pet Cover): Charlotte McGuire (Lichfield) Matrix I Spy 1, Lucas Bremner (Whangarei) LT Holst Francis 2, Amara Green (Woodhill) Cluedo Xtreme 3, Amelia Munro (Paremoremo) Oaks Centurian 4, Aimee Collinson (Clevedon) Oporaes Jackamoe 5, Tara Gower (Ohura) Riverhills Bayliner 6.
Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider Series (sponsored by SiteLand Developments): Ashley Johnston (Whangarei) Miss Vee NZPH 1, Georgina Forsyth (Clevedon) Catapult Xtreme 2, Candice Fox (Auckland) Cantiano 3, Laura Pratt (Te Pahu) Monet X Change 4, Alison Harold (West Harbour) Freedom Fighter 5, Paula Brocklehurst (Wellsford) Wentworth 6.
Jacks Ridge Horse Grand Prix (non-series): Daniel Blundell (Tauranga) Cadenza NZPH 1, Sam McIntosh (Cambridge) Takapoto Alaid De Chez Nous 2, Emelia Forsyth (Clevedon) Wallflower 3, Emelia Forsyth (Clevedon) Henton Faberge 4, Nakeysha Lammers (Hamilton) Balboa NZPH 5, Samantha van Lierde (Cambridge) Cadillac NZPH 6.
Inkster Landscapes Horse Super Series: Daniel Blundell (Tauranga) Oprah MVNZ 1, Paula Mussen (Pukekohe) Déjà vu NZPH 2, Tara Gower (Ohura) WTF Cabello 3, Sam McIntosh (Cambridge) Takapoto Virrkala Smokey 4, Scott Borland (Hamilton) SB Smokescreen 5, Hannah Bodle (Morrinsville) Haupouri Dakota NZPH 6.
NZ Cabin Rentals Pony Super Series: Samantha-Lee Wakeling (Wellsford) BMW Sharpshooter 1, Amelia Munro (Paremoremo) MF Spot On 2, Francesca Bishell (Auckland) Galaxy Disco Fever II 3, Adison Hall (Waimauku) Flaxhill Starlight 4, Grace Prendergast (Matamata) Westfield Grace 5, Isabelle Hawkins (Auckland) Spotified 6.
For full results, head to www.evoevents.co.nz
Jumping Team – 21 February 2022