Glistening Waters ESNZ Series Final Show – Copyright Photo: KAMPIC / Kerry Marshall

 

Michaelee Head figures she and Bellick ST have built the perfect foundation after winning the Main-Events Tertiary Challenge Series.

“This is a great way to start our journey together as a combination,” says the 19-year-old from Cambridge who is in her second year of a Bachelor of Health Science in Medical Imaging at Unitech in Auckland.

Michaelee has had the eight-year-old a year. He had previously done the age group series and competed in both junior and young rider classes.

“The final wasn’t great for us,” she said. “He was running through me a wee bit and can be quite strong. It wasn’t how I wanted the final to go.” They’d had a brilliant season, with four wins, two seconds and a third.

Michaelee says the Tertiary Series works well for students, allowing them to come off a big week at university and still jump a class at a welcoming height without pressure. “It’s a cool series,” she says. “It encourages people to ride while at uni. That’s great. I learnt about the series last year and thought it looked like a fun one to do in our first season together.”

She was right. “It’s been a good foundation building season. He is a great horse and I will hang on to him forever!”

The final went the way of Samantha Megchelse (New Plymouth) aboard Rata Mill Eclipse with Amy Gibbs (Marlborough) aboard Steffields Candidate second and Alexandra Mitchell (Wellington) Keltern William third. Michaelee was sixth.

Left to Right – Samantha Meglchelse, Michaelee Head and Jenna Lee Rose – Copyright Photo: KAMPIC / Kerry Marshall

 

Results –

Main-Events Tertiary Challenge Series Grand Final (sponsored by Nation Events): Samantha Megchelse (New Plymouth) Rata Mill Eclipse 1, Amy Gibbs (Marlborough) Steffields Candidate 2, Alexandra Mitchell (Wellington) Keltern William 3, Ike Baker (Hastings) Zirrena 4, Pippa Smyth (Dannevirke) Liberty KL 5, Michaelee Head (Cambridge) Bellick ST 6.

Main-Events Tertiary Challenge Series: Michaelee Head (Cambridge) 56 points 1, Samantha Megchelse (New Plymouth) 54 2, Jennalee Rose (Dannevirke) 46 3, Alexandra Mitchell (Wellington) 34 4, Amber Riddell (Cambridge) and Sophie Sinclair (Winton) 28 =5.

 

For full results, head to www.evoevents.co.nz

The Jumping Team – 6 May 2022