Charlotte Wear rides Double Shot NZPH, photo by Cornege Photography

 

Charlotte was hoping “just for a nice round” aboard Double Shot NZPH but rode off with the win in a very sodden Premier League Grand Prix. The 21-year-old full time rider from Taupo was one of seven in the class to be challenged by the Danielle Watts-designed course, and the only one to go clear in the opening round, bagging a win in her first ever premier start. “Given the weather and conditions, I just wanted to jump a nice round . . . coming away with the win is just amazing,” said Charlotte who splits her time between track work as well as riding dressage and sport horses.

Charlotte, the younger sister of Rachel Malcolm, got Double Shot NZPH as a five-year-old and has done everything with her through the grades. “She’s bold, brave and fearless and will jump anything she is pointed at,” said Charlotte, adding that Rachel had been hugely influential in her riding career.

Today didn’t go without a hiccup though, with a rider error seeing them trot into the GJ Gardner vertical before Double Shot NZPH took control. “It was a super track. It was a good height and flowed well – Danielle has done a great job.”

It was fitting she notched her first premier win over a course designed by Danielle, who was also responsible for her first 1m effort a decade ago.

This was just Charlotte and Double Shot NZPH’s second ever win, the other a 1.3m. This season has seen them focus on Horse Grand Prix but they are now eyeing the World Cup series.

“I hope to go all the way with her,” she says. “There’s not much more you need in the recipe for a good jumper.”

She doesn’t do a lot of jump training with the mare at home, opting to focus on hacking out and canter work.

Double Shot NZPH is a French warmblood by Ideal de la Lodge out of Sparkles. Charlotte is very excited to have a half-sister to the mare – by Vivant out of Sparkles – on the ground. “Hopefully she will be my next superstar to follow on from Double Shot NZPH.”

Coming in second in the Premier League today was Vicki Prendergast (Matamata) on her homebred Selena C who finished on four faults after taking the last fence, with Daniel Blundell (Tauranga) aboard Cadenza NZPH who also finished on four faults after dropping fence three. Phillip Steiner (Tauranga) and Cassina Dior were fourth, also on four faults after taking the last, with Samantha van Lierde (Cambridge) on Cadillac NZPH fifth and Emelia Forsyth (Clevedon) aboard Henton Faberge sixth.

 

Given James Steiner’s bloodlines, it’s fair to say he should be hitting the highlights when it comes to jumping, but this afternoon the cheeky 15-year-old from Tauranga pulled off a biggie – his first Country TV Pony Grand Prix Series class win.

He’s only had the ride on Sophia and Fiona Hall’s TCG Centadel for around four months and this was their first-ever Pony Grand Prix start. Initially the horse headed to Phillip and Sally Steiner’s Tauranga property for younger brother Oliver, who today was tossing up whether his passion for motorbikes was the right one to pursue.

Nine started the Pony Grand Prix today but found it challenging, with James and Centadel’s four fault effort in the opening round taking the win.

“We’ve been trying to get a Grand Prix start for a while, so this is third time lucky,” said James. “I am just really happy with the win and so thankful to Sophia and Fiona for the ride.”

Their first start was at Woodhill Sands at the beginning of the season when they flew around an 80cm class in record time, but things have clearly improved from there.

Now James is eyeing up a start in the Pony of the Year at the Land Rover Horse of the Year Show. “That would be awesome!”

Both his parents have competed at World Cup level and have input into his riding and competing. He takes the best from each of them.

It was mum Sally who walked the course with him today, and sent him off with a slap on the leg and the instruction to “just go out and do it”.

And he did just that, much to the delight of his growing base of fans around the arena.

 

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

Diana Dobson

14 January 2023