Daniel Blundell rides Cadenza NZPH for the win in the EvoEvents Horse Grand Prix at Cambridge Grains Rotorua Spring Show Jumping Show – Photo Credit – Cornege Photography
A double clear from Daniel Blundell and Cadenza NZPH was good enough to take the win in the EvoEvents Grand Prix at the Cambridge Grains Rotorua Spring Showjumping Show, held at the Dunstan Fiber Fresh National Equestrian Centre in Taupo.
Eighteen combinations started the David Snowden Memorial class with just four coming back for the jump-off where Daniel’s slow and steady won the day with the only double clear of the class.
Daniel and Cadenza NZPH came home in 46.18 seconds. Speedster of the class was Oliver Croucher (Cambridge) aboard Kingslea Couture who stopped the clock at 41.38 seconds but paid for it with a rail, with Leeshelle Small (Ramarama) and AMS Dolce NZPH in third, crossing the flags in 44.08 seconds with four faults.
“I am so pleased to start the new season where we finished off last season,” said Daniel. “I jumped him at Woodhill last weekend to get Cadenza ready for this weekend”
But it didn’t all go exactly to plan. The fiery chestnut was challenging on Saturday and did a ‘drive-by’ in the 1.30m. “He came out today a lot quieter and was easier to ride and just jumped really well. At the end of last season we won a few Grand Prix in a row, so it is nice to take up where I left off with him. That’s the best feeling for me.”
They are in their third season together and while Daniel felt he would jump well today, he said the class was anyone’s to take. Now he is eyeing a full POLi Payments World Cup Series with the 11-year-old horse.
It is the first year the Grand Prix has been held as a David Snowden Memorial. The late David was the founder of Cambridge Grains and passed away in May 2021. His daughter Chanel Beatson now runs the business.
In the Country TV Pony Grand Prix (run in conjunction with Craigs Investment Partners) Penny Borthwick (Masterton) and Rednalhgih Cowan have shown themselves as once again one of the combinations to watch, coming home with the win in round one.
They were the only ones of 13 starters to go clear in the opener to take the honours. Last season Penny and her team were almost unstoppable with their Grand Prix victories. Today, second and third went to four faulters Victoria Boot (Auckland) aboard Galaxy Peaches N Cream and Chloe Roylance (New Plymouth) on Tallyho Cleopatra respectively.
Rotorua Showjumping Group chair Mikayla Herbert extended a huge thanks to the show’s naming right sponsors, Cambridge Grains and Chanel Beatson and Alex Hammond, as well as the show’s silver sponsors Craigs Investment Partners and Chris Dow. “We wouldn’t be able run shows like this without them,” said Mikayla.
The show attracted record numbers, actually far bigger than anticipated according to Mikayla. “I think the cancellation of Pukahu due to weather had a bit to do with our numbers and that everyone is just eager to get back out there after all the COVID shows and cancellations.”
She praised her committee who had received plenty of compliments from show-goers. “I think our weather dances must have been good because it has been a beautiful weekend.”
Phillippa Howells designed the courses in ring one over the three day show.
Results –
EvoEvents Horse Grand Prix Series (David Snowden Memorial): Daniel Blundell (Auckland) Cadenza NZPH 1, Oliver Croucher (Cambridge) Kingslea Couture 2, Leeshelle Small (Ramarama) AMS Dolce NZPH 3, Glen Beal (Pukekohe) Soprano 4, Samantha van Lierde (Cambridge) Cadillac NZPH 5, Rylee Sheehan (Te Aroha) Bandito NZPH 6.
Country TV Pony Grand Prix Series (in conjunction with Craigs Investment Partners): Penny Borthwick (Masterton) Rednalhgih Cowan 1, Victoria Boot (Auckland) Galaxy Peaches N Cream 2, Chloe Roylance (New Plymouth) Tallyho Cleopatra 3, Zara Preece-Twose (Auckland) TC Piano Man 4, Zara Main (Auckland) Blue Crush 5, Lillian Hordern (Waiheke Island) Redcliffs Colour Me In 6.
Matthews Hanoverians Seven-Year-Old Series (in conjunction with Craigs Investment Partners): Sarah West (Te Aroha) Six Sixty SP 1, Oliver Croucher (Cambridge) Ricochet MVNZ 2, Ike Baker (Hawke’s Bay) Double J Graduate 3, Mikayla Herbert (Rotorua) Matai Serendipity 4, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) Central Edition 5, Lucinda Askin (Ashburton) Gatsby NZPH 6.
UltraMox Six-Year-Old Series: Vicki Prendergast (Matamata) Stallone K and Kylee McCambridge (Cambridge) Chacco Sapphire MS =1.
East Coast Performance Horses Five-Year-Old Series: Dylan Burton (Taumarunui) Karlos QSH and Vicki Prendergast (Matamata) Stiletto C =1.
FMG Young Rider Series: Ben Weir (Auckland) Cil Dara Bonaparte 1, Sam Carrington (Takapau) Double J Hurricane 2, Madison Jackson (Karaka) Henton Excalibur 3, Oliver Prendergast (Matamata) Stellar 4, Tara Gower (Ohura) Double J Image 5, Liam Rutland (Te Awamutu) Kiwi Delux 6.
Harrison Lane Pro-Am Rider Series: Geordie Bull (Taupo) Marius 1, Tara Sullivan (Clevedon) Bellisima 2, Bernard Denton (Manawatu) Electra NZPH 3, Kelly Stevens (Taupo) Insignia 4, Rosie Commons (Auckland) Lotte 5, Alex Loiselle (Hastings) Haupouri Ferrari NZPH 6.
Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider Series: Sarah Nelson (Taupo) Zabambi 1, Annie Moffett (Napier) Samantha the Dachshund 2, Emily Rumsden (Auckland) L’Orame 3, Sophia Blackbourn (Tamahere) LT Holst Zalato Blue 4, Penny Borthwick (Masterton) Double J Breeze On 5, Karena Murray (Katikati) Rebel Alliance 6.
Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider Series: Jane Hunt (Tirau) Rabbit 1, Emma Gibson (Taupo) Super Duper 2, Kirsty Harnett (Gisborne) Ngahiwi Prince 3, Jessica Trow (Whitford) Kiwi Sunup 4, Emma Gibson (Taupo) Avichii AF 5, Charlotte Amos (Cambridge) Lazarus FPH 6.
For full results, head to www.evoevents.co.nz
The Jumping Team – 25 September 2022