Samantha Carrington rides Double J Hurricane, Glistening Waters ESNZ Series Final Show, Masterton, Saturday, April 23, 2022 Copyright Photo: KAMPIC / Kerry Marshall
Winning the FMG Young Rider Series was the icing on the cake for Takapau teen Sam Carrington.
The quietly-spoken 18-year-old isn’t one to chase series, nor to shout from the treetops when she does well . . . which is often, not that she’ll be telling anyone that.
But the pride of winning the very competitive Young Rider Series was plain to see. “There are some really good young riders and it is exciting to be part of it all,” said Sam.
She had two in the class and nominated Double J Hurricane in his first premier Young Rider start, taking the pressure off Breeze On who has done all the heavy lifting through the season. “I just felt he was scopier and with the bigger stride thought today may be a bit big,” said Sam. “I just thought today I would go out there and do what I normally do and hopefully it would come good. I am just so happy with both of them.”
She’s hard pressed to name her favourite but gives the edge to Hurricane, even if it doesn’t impress mum. “I am thrilled with his efforts today. It has been a great season even though we didn’t win as many Young Rider classes as last year, Breeze On has consistently been in the line-up.”
Seven-year-old Hurricane has starred in the age group classes though and won both the five and six year-old series. “I think he is pretty good. He is a really funny horse. He can be reluctant sometimes but once he gets out there and is doing it, he loves it.”
Sam described 11-year-old Breeze On as a machine. “She loves her job and is just an incredible horse.”
It had been a long season for Sam and she’s sure the horses were looking forward to a break as much as she was. But she is already looking forward to bringing out her four-year-olds next season.
Sophie Townsend and Rose Alfeld with My Super Nova, retiring after winning the FMG Young Rider Grand Final. Photo Copyright KAMPIC/Kerry Marshall
It was an emotional AMS Saddlery-sponsored grand final win for Sophie Townsend (Darfield) aboard Rose Alfeld’s former FEI World Cup NZ Series winner My Super Nova. They were one of five to come back for the jump-off where they were amongst some well-established and experienced combinations. But no-one else left all the rails up, giving Sophie and the 16-year-old My Super Nova the only double clear of the final. My Super Nova is now set to ‘retire’ to the hunting field with Rose.
Coming in for second in the final was Sam aboard Double J Breeze On, as the fastest of the four-faulters, with Leeshelle Small (Ramarama) third with AMS Glenbrooke Archie Bunker and fourth on AMS Dolce NZPH. It was a tricky start for Leeshelle and Dolce who had to redo a shoe between rounds. Sam was also fifth with Double J Hurricane.
Sophie Townsend, Sam Carrington, Samantha Gillies and Sophie Scott flanked by Mariah Clark (left) and Jess Fagan-Pease (right) from FMG. Copyright Photo: KAMPIC / Kerry Marshall
Results –
FMG Young Rider Series Grand Final (sponsored by AMS Saddlery): Sophie Townsend (Darfield) My Super Nova 1, Sam Carrington (Takapau) Double J Breeze On 2, Leeshelle Small (Ramarama) AMS Glenbrooke Archie Bunker 3, Leeshelle Small (Ramarama) AMS Dolce NZPH 4, Sam Carrington (Takapau) Double J Hurricane 5,Tara Gower (Ohura) Double Shot NZPH 6.
FMG Young Rider Series: Sam Carrington (Takapau) 115 points 1, Samantha Gillies (Oamaru) 103 2, Sophie Scott (Palmerston North) 100 3, Sophie Townsend (Darfield) 93 4, Makenzie Causer (Christchurch) 90 5, Tyla Hackett (Waiuku) 87 6.
For full results, head to www.evoevents.co.nz
The Jumping Team – 28 April 2022