Rylee Sheehan and Bandito NZPH headed home a small but quality field at the Feilding Spring Show to draw first blood in the EvoEvents Horse Grand Prix Series. The 17-year-old from Te Aroha who works for Te Akau Racing doing trackwork and pre-trainers, was rapt with the result.

Six of the seven starters in the class came back for the jump-off where three continued to keep their slates clean. Rylee is never afraid of putting his foot on the gas and today, at the first EvoEvents Grand Prix Series class of the season, he didn’t disappoint, smoking his way home in 42.2 seconds. The experienced Brooke Edgecombe (Waipukurau) and LT Holst Andrea had to settle for second with their 45.89 second time with Robert Steele (Dannevirke) and LT Holst Bernadette third in 52.74.

Bandito NZPH was out for a bit last season but appears to have come back ready for action after a good three month spell. “We have had one other show this season, so I just wanted to give him a good round . . . a nice start to the series,” said Rylee.

He was second to go in the jump-off and knew he had to draw a bit of a line in the sand over the Chris Rogers-designed course. “I was a bit nervous,” he said. “It was a nice course. It wasn’t too big but a good size for this early in the season, and technical too, so that was good.”

Rylee also did well aboard his nine-year-old mare Castakko Xtreme, placing second in the FMG Young Rider Series class and fifth in the mini prix. “I am very happy with her,” he said. “She was only doing juniors last season so is going super well already this season. She has taken a little while to get going.”

Penny Borthwick (Masterton) picked up where she left off last season in the Country TV Pony Grand Prix with a win aboard Rednalhgih Cowan with the only clear of the opening round. Four faulters Annie Moffett (Napier) aboard Korokipo Kid and Chloe Roylance (New Plymouth) on Tallyho Cleopatra fought it out for the minor money, with the second spot going to Annie for her faster time.

Sophie Scott (Palmerston North) had her quinella effort in the FMG Young Rider Series class interrupted by Rylee who slid in between Waitangi Skynet and Benrose Casino ECPH to fill second spot aboard Castakko Xtreme. Sophie and Skynet were the only clear in the opening round, with the next four all on four faults.

Four combinations came back for the jump-off in the Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider Series class where Tracy Mason (Hawke’s Bay) and WP Stella reigned supreme with their 41.44 second double clear efforts. Carolyn Hinton (New Plymouth) with Atlas Al Tirah was second in 42.4 and Laura Knight (Rangiotu) aboard Aria third in 45.58 seconds. All were double clear.

Annie Moffett (Napier) and Samantha the Dachshund bagged the only double clear of the Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider Series to take the win in the 14 strong class. Even if the four faulting second and third place getters had been clear, they were no match for Annie’s 41.62 second time. Kimberley Carrington (Takapau) with Double J Typhoon and Makayla White (Napier) aboard Kiwi Showtime filled second and third respectively. The trio were the only ones through to the jump-off.

The two day show was held at Manfeild Park in Feilding.

 

Results –

EvoEvents Horse Grand Prix Series: Rylee Sheehan (Te Aroha) Bandito NZPH 1, Brooke Edgecombe (Waipukurau) LT Holst Andrea 2, Robert Steele (Dannevirke) LT Holst Bernadette 3, Daniel Webb (Hunterville) WSJ Centaur 4, Sophie Scott (Palmerston North) Waitangi Skynet 5, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) Central Park 6.

Country TV Pony Grand Prix Series: Penny Borthwick (Masterton) Rednalhgih Cowan 1, Annie Moffett (Napier) Korokipo Kid 2, Chloe Roylance (New Plymouth) Tallyho Cleopatra 3, Isla Bowley (Upper Hutt) Tui’s Tennessee.

FMG Young Rider Series: Sophie Scott (Palmerston North) Waitangi Skynet 1, Rylee Sheehan (Te Aroha) Castakko Xtreme 2, Sophie Scott (Palmerston North) Benrose Casino ECPH 3, Hollie Falloon (Masterton) Just Jessie 4, Charlotte Conder (Wellington) Kiwi Bonus 5, Kimberley Carrington (Takapau) Double J Barmaid 6.

Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider Series: Annie Moffett (Napier) Samantha the Dachshund 1, Kimberley Carrington (Takapau) Double J Typhoon 2, Makayla White (Napier) Kiwi Showtime 3, Charlotte Conder (Wellington) WSJ Quintecential 4, Rylee Sheehan (Te Aroha) Cavalli GNZ 5, Eilidh Gloyn (Palmerston North) Air Hill Bambi 6.

Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider Series: Tracy Mason (Hawke’s Bay) WP Stella 1, Carolyn Hinton (New Plymouth) Atlas Al Tirah 2, Laura Knight (Rangiotu) Aria 3, Kirsty Harnett (Gisborne) Ngahiwi Prince 4, Luce Williams (Tinui) Grassendale Enzo 5, Joanna Smith (Hastings) Shiraz MH 6.

 

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

The Jumping Team – 19 September 2022