Brooke Edgecombe rides LT Holst Andrea in Round 1 of the World Cup Qualifier, Hawkes Bay A & P, Hastings, Friday, October 21, 2022. Credit: KAMPIC / Sarah Lord
It’s the penultimate round of the POLi Payments FEI World Cup (NZ League) Series on Saturday afternoon and with a log jam at the top of the leaderboard, it promises to be a fiercely competitive class at the Metalform Central and Southern Hawke’s Bay Showjumping Show in Dannevirke.
The 12 combinations on the card, set to be challenged by debutant World Cup course designer Heather McDonald, is a real mix of extremely well performed winners, through to greenhorns at this top level.
Brooke Edgecombe (Waipukurau) and LT Holst Andrea were the winners of the last round, held in Taupo just before Christmas. It was their first victory in a while, and they’ll be looking to back that up with another top of the podium placing.
But they’ll be well challenged by three time series winner Tegan Fitzsimon (West Melton) and Windermere Cappuccino, who were not at the Taupo qualifier, as well as the in-form Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) with Central Park, series opener victor Phillip Steiner (Tauranga) aboard Cassina Dior, and the ever-dangerous young gun Sophie Scott (Palmerston North) on Waitangi Skynet.
There were a few combinations who really put their hands up in Taupo including Julie Davey with her two Just D and LT Holst Freda who looked superb on debut at World Cup level, while Sam Whale (Hampton Downs) and Fleur DeLacour have two qualifiers under their belts and are looking stunning this season too.
Logan Massie (Dannevirke) and Bravado Ego Z are not long back from their European campaign and will be keen to stamp their mark on the series, while Vicki Prendergast (Matamata) and Selena C have four World Cup starts to their credit, with their best effort a fourth in the final last January in Hawera, and not to forget Daniel Webb (Hunterville) with WSJ Centaur. Making his debut will be Rylee Sheehan (Te Aroha) on Bandito NZPH.
With 20 points up for grabs for the win, and just four of the six rounds to count towards the series tally, there is much to play for. The final is later this month and has points-and-a-half on offer.
The winner of the series has the opportunity to represent New Zealand at the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup final in Omaha, Nebraska, in early April.
Leaderboard – after four qualifiers: Phillip Steiner (Tauranga) 47 points 1, Brooke Edgecombe (Waipukurau) and Sophie Scott (Palmerston North) 45 =2, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) 42 4, Tegan Fitzsimon (West Melton) 34 5, Daniel Blundell (Auckland) 31 6, Samantha van Lierde (Cambridge) and Vicki Prendergast (Matamata) 21 =7, Sam Whale (Hampton Downs) 19 9, Emelia Forsyth (Clevedon) 14 10.
WHAT: POLi Payments FEI World Cup (NZ League) qualifier
WHERE: Metalform Central and Southern Hawke’s Bay Showjumping Show @ Dannevirke Showgrounds
WHEN: Saturday, January 7, 2023
START LISTS AND RESULTS: https://www.main-events.com/event/8077/metalform-central-sth-hb-sj-sh-champs/classes
FACEBOOK: Central and Southern Hawke’s Bay Jumping Show
Jumping Team
5 January 2023