Lucy Fell and Faratona STS – Photo by KAMPIC
Harrison Lane Pro-Am Rider Series
Lucy Fell may be a two-time Lady Rider of the Year winner but her victory today in the Harrison Lane Pro-Am Rider Series at the Trust House Glistening Waters ESNZ Series Final Show ranks right up there amongst her best.
“If you had said to me 10 years ago I would be getting myself wound up over a pro-am class I would have said you were mad,” said the Palmerston North mum of two.
However, she certainly felt the pressure coming into the grand final (co sponsored by Equibreed) today. “I was so worried about Paula (Mussen). She has been flying up the leaderboard and I was feeling her breath on the back of my neck!”
As it turned out, Paula and Déjà vu NZPH had to settle third, one spot behind Lucy aboard Faratona STS whose rail in the jump-off gave the win to Deanna Horsburgh (Cambridge) and Entourage NZPH who were double clear.
“This (series) win is just so special,” said Lucy, who has previously won the horse grand prix series with her superstar Tinapai. “The series was my focus for the season and I was just aiming for top three but I went to the top of the board in January and really started to get excited.”
Faratona STS came to Lucy as a five-year-old to be sold on behalf but no-one seemed that interested in her . . . except Lucy as she brought her through, placing second in both the five-year-old and seven-year-old series behind the ever-consistent Windermere Cappuccino and Tegan Fitzsimon. Lucy and Faratona were also second in the five-year-old at the Horse of the year Show and second in the North Island seven-year-old. “She has always been so consistent but been up against a better horse on the day.”
This season the 12-year-old mare has never finished lower than fifth place in the pro-am series. “She really does deserve this,” says Lucy. “I am just so happy to have finished it off. I am thrilled. She always tries so hard and has such a big heart. It is nice she finally has a major.”
The pro-am series was the sweet spot for her. “This is her ideal height and for me too really. There are lots of mums in this series, which is always super competitive and lots of fun. Every year it has got more competitive.”
In the 12-strong grand final today, just Deanna and Lucy came back for the jump-off where the eventual series winner took the last to finish on four faults.
Harrison Lane Pro-Am Rider Series: Lucy Fell (Palmerston North) 129 points 1, Paula Mussen (Pukekohe) 116 2, Noni Morgan (Hastings) 89 3, Colleen Crous (Auckland) 76 4, Sophie Fisher (Cambridge) and Deanna Horsburgh (Cambridge) 75 =5.
Harrison Lane Pro-Am Rider Series Grand Final (co sponsored by Equibreed): Deanna Horsburgh (Cambridge) Entourage NZPH 1, Lucy Fell (Palmerston North) Faratona STS 2, Paula Mussen (Pukekohe) Déjà vu NZPH 3, Rose Alfeld (Leeston) Footloose NZPH 4, Luce Williams (Tinui) Grassendale Enzo 5,
Tanya Hansen (Taranaki) Caesar NZPH 6.
For full results, head to www.evoevents.co.nz
Diana Dobson – 14 April 2023