It was a fitting finale to the EvoEvents Horse Grand Prix Series with Daniel Blundell (Auckland) taking the quinella in the Massie Stables-sponsored final and Brooke Edgecombe (Waipukurau) aboard LT Holst Andrea winning the series by just two points.
It’s the first time Brooke and Andrea, who are still the current holders of the Olympic Cup crown, have won the Horse Grand Prix Series. The combination also won the EquiBreed Top-Ranking Mare award for the fourth time.
“It was a lovely inviting course out there,” said Brooke of the Donella Still-designed Horse Grand Prix track. “There were probably less clears than I thought there would be, but time was a factor too, so I was conscious of that,” she said.
“This has been a strong competitive series this year and that was a good jump-off for the final. I use it also as our lead-in to the POLi Payments Premier League Series final.”
Eighteen started the Horse Grand Prix final with 10 combinations on five faults or less coming back for the second round. Clear from the opener over the Donella Still-designed course were Daniel Blundell (Auckland) with both Athena NZPH and Cadenza NZPH, Sophie Scott (Palmerston North) aboard Waitangi Skynet, with Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) and Central Park clear but carrying a single time fault.
Brooke and Andrea picked up four faults in the opening round, so her focus for the second was a nice economical round. “Which is what she normally does,” she said. Turns out it worked a treat.
Clears were a little more forthcoming in the second round where Brooke joined Glen Beal (Pukekohe) aboard Soprano, Tegan Fitzsimon (West Melton) with Campari, and Maurice in jumping all clear but still carrying faults. Daniel was the star of the class, taking the quinella with Cadenza NZPH first and Athena NZPH second. Maurice filled third place.
Results –
EvoEvents Horse Grand Prix Series Grand Final (sponsored by Massie Stables): Daniel Blundell (Auckland) Cadenza NZPH 1, Daniel Blundell (Auckland) Athena NZPH 2, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) Central Park 3, Sophie Scott (Palmerston North) Waitangi Skynet 4, Brooke Edgecombe (Waipukurau) LT Holst Andrea 5, Glen Beal (Pukekohe) Soprano 6.
EvoEvents Horse Grand Prix Series: Brooke Edgecombe (Waipukurau) LT Holst Andrea 64 points 1, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) Central Park 62 2, Nicole White (Invercargill) LC Samson 44 3, Tegan Fitzsimon (West Melton) Windermere Cappuccino 42 4, Sophie Scott (Palmerston North) Waitangi Skynet 39 5, Daniel Blundell (Auckland) Cadenza NZPH 36 6.
For full results, head to www.evoevents.co.nz
The Jumping Team – 26 April 2022