Sam Gillies riding Lumarzo earlier in the season – Photo by Michelle Clarke Photography
There was some fierce competition in both the amateur and junior rider series classes at the South Island Championships at the weekend.
The three day Otago Show Jumping hosted event attracted a record 316 combinations with a number making the trek to Mosgiel to compete.
The Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider class saw 17 horses and riders challenged by ring one course designer Roger Laplanche, with just four coming back for a speedy jump-off that saw Tanya Davie (Clinton) and Glenbrooke Final Rose the victors with their double clear in 30.22 seconds.
Second and third were also double clear with Kate Beattie (Dunedin) aboard Smartyarty crossing the flags in 31.25 and Tayler Nalder (Canterbury) with Kiwi Glimpse coming home in 39.91 seconds.
The Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider class attracted 11 combinations with four coming back for the jump-off where the top three were all double clear. However, the day belonged to Samantha Gillies (Oamaru) and Socrates de la Ve Z, who flew home a smidgen ahead of Molly Moffatt (Christchurch) aboard Glenmark.
The fleet-footed Samantha also took out the South Island Speed Horse Championship aboard Lumarzo, with Sonya Benison (Christchurch) and MF Spotlit the pony championship
The Country TV Pony Grand Prix was won by Johanna Wylaars (Christchurch) aboard Larabelle, with the only double clear of the class. Makenzie Causer (Christchurch) and Copabella Camouflage won the FMG Young Rider class.
Sarah Ching designed the courses in ring two with Tony Hutton in ring three and Marilyn Vincent in the show hunter arena.
For full results, head to www.main-events.com
The Jumping Team – 18 January 2023