Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography

It’s been a busy weekend across the globe for New Zealand riders, with results in eventing, showjumping and dressage.

In the world of dressage, John Thompson and his World Champs-bound stallion Chemistry won the Grand Prix at the Hawkesbury Dressage Festival, in Australia, with a score of 68.8%.

Also across the Tasman, showjumper Brooke Edgecombe (Waipukurau) and LT Holst Andrea placed fourth in the Festival of Showjumping and Caboolture FEI World Cup. The Kiwi combo jumped two beautiful clear rounds in the hotly contested class. Olivia Hamood and Jane Fonda DVD headed home the 20-strong field, with Aaron Hadlow aboard Vashlinvader second and Aussie-based Kiwi Josh Collins with Cornel third.

“She was really good,” said Brooke. “I thought Gavin Chester’s course was tough enough but fair, it was nice. There were a couple of places where he left up to the riders to make the decision on stride numbers which was good.” The first round went to plan for the Kiwi combo. In the jump-off they did the two inside turns that most other riders also did.

“There was an inside line to the last that I had thought about but then I just thought, actually I might just go for the safe clear. Aaron (Hadlow) was the only one to do it.
Earlier in the show Brooke and Andrea placed second in the 1.45m, again finishing behind Olivia and Jane Fonda who were double clear in 37.3 seconds to Brooke’s four-fault jump-off in 39.62.

“She jumped so well in that class but I had a little mistake coming into the last in the jump-off which led to me being more conservative in the World Cup.”

Her plans have had to pivot due shows being cancelled, but she will now stay on for the rescheduled Larapinta World Cup, which will now run in the last weekend of July.
“It has been a great trip. The first show we went to was Nambour Ag Show where I won the Grand Prix, so that was a good start.”

Bella Du Plessis, who is from the Waikato but based in Australia, had a great show, taking out the 1.30m young rider championship aboard Monte Carlo MVNZ and placed fourth with Odessa MVNZ.

CLICK HERE FOR RESULTS FROM CABOOLTURE

Bruce Goodin and Boteng 9 placed third in the UCED Gold Tour 1.45m class at the CSI3*-W Olomouc in the Czech Republic. The 34-strong class was won by Malgorzata Koszucka (POL) aboard Stakorado in 31.38 seconds with Bruce and Boateng stopping the clock at 32.72.

Sharn Wordley and his Aussie fiancé Lauren Balcomb have had a busy weekend at the CSI3* in Ocala, in the United States. Sharn and Valentine Car were ninth in the FEI 1.40m speed class, with Lauren and Verdini d’Houtveld Z fifth. Lauren and Verdini went on to win the 1.50m Grand Prix.

Kimberley Bird and Cera Cassina were 19th in the FEI 1.50m welcome prix with their four-fault opening round. Aaron Vale and Prescott headed home the 30-strong class which saw 15 go through to the jump-off.

Meanwhile, at the CSI3* in Knokke, Belgium, Francesca Corich Van Der Bas won the CSI1* 1.20m aboard Joely van het Asborneveld, and earlier placed ninth in the CSI1* 1.15m speed class.

CLICK HERE FOR RESULTS FROM EUROPE & USA

World no.10 eventer Tim Price placed second in the CCI4*-L in Strzegom, Poland, with Polystar I. The combination had been leading after the dressage, and slipped to third post cross country, but their clear and inside time effort in the showjumping saw them end the event on 38.3 penalty points. Jonelle Price and Faerie Magnifico had a costly showjumping round to finish just off the podium in fourth place with a final tally of 54.3. Robin Godel (SUI) and Global DHL won the class on 36.4. Only four combinations of the remaining 13 combinations were clear and inside time in the showjumping test.

CLICK HERE FOR RESULTS FROM STRZEGOM

By Diana Dobson – HP Media Liaison