Kaitlin Brown and Tawa at Glistening Waters

 

It was back to back wins for Kaitlin Brown and Tawa in the ESNZ Show Hunter Pony Equitation Series at the Glistening Waters Championship Show.

The 17-year-old from Wairoa had the series in her sights, given it was her last season on the pony. “Equitation is very important to me and I do think everyone should do it as you learn those key basics,” says Kaitlin. “I just love it. It teaches you how to see a stride, to ride in rhythms and, most importantly, about planning – I always go in with a plan and try to see it through.”

The final didn’t quite go their way, with a fourth placing. “It wasn’t how I wanted to finish, and there were a few hiccups on my behalf but I am very happy to have won the series,” said Kaitlin. “Every round should be the best I can be. We had already won coming into today but it didn’t alter how I rode the final.”

She and series runner-up Lauren Mitchell had gone back and forth all season, and it was Lauren who took the final.

Kaitlin now has her 13-year-old pony on the market. “He is amazing and has so much personality. He is awesome to ride and super consistent. It is so great to have won the series with him again.”

She said Tawa was a real foodie and one you could feed anything to and he’d still go well.

Kaitlin and Tawa were also fifth in the Aniwell Cat C High Points Final and third in the series, a series they previously won in 2019.

Kaitlin Brown (Centre) receiving her award – Copyright Photo: KAMPIC / Kerry Marshall

 

Results –

ESNZ Show Hunter Pony Equitation Series Final: Lauren Mitchell (Kumeu) Mahachi Gold Rosado KF 1, Sofia Williams (Masterton) Grassendale Gin 2, Emily McMaster (Greytown) Onetai Cover Girl 3, Kaitlin Brown (Wairoa) Tawa 4, Poppy Tatham (Masterton) Wembleybrook O Driscoll 5.

ESNZ Show Hunter Pony Equitation Series: Kaitlin Brown (Wairoa) 51 points 1, Lauren Mitchell (Kumeu) 48 2, Anna Smith (Wyndham) 42 3, Bianca Reynolds (Rangiora) 40 4, Mia Cadwallader (Auckland) 38 5, Amy Wassell (Nelson) 38 6.

 

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

The Jumping Team – 3 April 2022