Julie Davey has bagged her first FEI World Cup win in recent years with victory this afternoon aboard Just D at the Taupo Christmas Classic.
The Hastings rider lined both her lovely mares up in the rather small field, with both again showing all their talent, with LT Holst Freda finishing fourth after an unlucky rail in the second round.
Julie started the class in the best way possible, coming home all clear aboard LT Holst Freda over the Pip Howells designed course and followed that up later in the class with another faultless round aboard Just D. Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) and Central Park were also all clear with Brooke Edgecombe (Waipukurau) aboard LT Holst Andrea and Sophie Scott (Palmerston North) with Waitangi Skynet both taking the first to finish the first round on four faults apiece.
In the second, clears came from Maurice, Brooke and Julie. Julie and Freda took the last to finish on a total of four, while Sophie did the same for a final tally of eight.
But in the end, it was Julie and Just D who were last to go and knew exactly what they had to do – go clear and beat Maurice’s time of 62.07 seconds. They did just that, coming in all clean in 59.64. Brooke and Andrea were third on a total of four from the two rounds, Julie and Freda were fourth and Sophie with Skynet fifth.
“I certainly wasn’t hugely confident when I walked the course,” said Julie. “I thought it was tough enough. Coming into the class I hoped one would have a double clear and if they did then we should be first or second.”
Julie has previously had success in the World Cup Series quite a few years ago aboard How’s That. It was John Cottle era, so every win was certainly very hard fought. But it has been a while between drinks and she’s rapt to have bagged a win today.
“Just D was good out there. I nominated Freda (for the points) so that is a bit disappointing and it was only because I know her better and she is easier to ride. A win is a win and I think they both jumped brilliantly.”
Just D can be a rather strong ride, but Julie said the nine-year-old had been great today. “The goal for this year with these two was to compete in each World Cup, get some miles and hopefully some success before we look at going offshore.”
Julie extended a huge thank you to Colin and Toni McIntosh for their ongoing support not just of her as a rider, but the sport in general.
The next round is at Dannevirke in the new year before the final at Woodhill Sands mid-January.
Results –
Julie Davey (Hastings) Just D 1, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) Central Park 2, Brooke Edgecombe (Waipukurau) LT Holst Andrea 3, Julie Davey (Waipukurau) LT Holst Freda 4, Sophie Scott (Palmerston North) Waitangi Skynet 5, Charlotte Wear (Taupo) Double Shot NZPH 6.
Diana Dobson – 16 December 2023