Bailey Harvey and Haupouri Evandro NZPH on their way to winning the Property Brokers Horse Grand Prix at Taihape – Photo by Michelle Clarke
It’s been a few years but finally, Taihape Jumping Show was back on the radar, bringing their redemption show in full force with two days of jam packed competition.
Bailey Harvey had one goal for this season – to have a Grand Prix start before extending her family. Well, she smashed that out of the park by winning the Property Brokers Grand Prix (supported locally by Ruanui Station) with the only clear round riding Haupouri Evandro NZPH, for which it was both their first GP start.
“Lou, (as Evandro is known at home), fell into my lap. I’m very lucky as he is just perfect” gushed Bailey. “It was a bit of a ‘turny’ course built by Heather McDonald, but it suited Lou as we could just keep rolling between the fences. Lou and I just cruise along and do what we can when we can. Family comes first and horses come second. I’m very thankful to have my sister Parys helping me at shows, and my husband Rhys who holds the fort down at home with our little girl. Taihape is always a lovely, relaxed show, it has a nice vibe and everyone is always in a good mood – plus the ground is always great”.
Bailey and Lou now have Lady Rider at HOY in their sights, they’ve got off to a great start to the year and we wish them well.
Kelly Smith and Kings Larkin and Robert Steele with Rosehill Park Hermes were oh so close to forcing a jump off, but sadly the last rail fell leaving them in fourth and fifth place respectively. Daniel Webb on WSJ Centaur and Ike Baker aboard Zirrena both had a rail mid course, putting them in second and third place.
It was a great weekend for the lovely stallion Euro Sport Centavos, whose progeny took the quinella in the NZPH & A1 Equine Reproduction 7 Year Olds. Tristan Thomas took top honours aboard the National Young Horse Champion Matai Zarite (ES Centavos x Matai Perigree/ Corofino II) with Tara Gower coming in second place with Riverhills Legend (ES Centavos x Destiny/ Ranfurly).
Centavos’ progeny continued their winning streak with Double J Breeze On winning the FMG Young Rider with Penny Borthwick in the saddle. Penny was thrilled with another win on the Double J Stud owned mare. She said “Taihape is always one of my favourite shows because it has beautiful grounds. Double J Breeze On loves her job and is an incredible mare to ride. She always gives her best and I really look forward to the rest of the season where I will be contending the Young Rider at HOY.”
Penny Borthwick and Double J Breeze On during the FMG Young Rider at Taihape – Photo by Michelle Clarke
Lucy Fell and Faratona STS were victorious in the Harrison Lane Pro Am, just 0.8 of a second ahead of Parys Marshall on Cassablanca. Lucy said “I’ve had a patch of 4 faultitis so hopefully our form is coming back in time for HOY. She’s a real spring and autumn horse.”
Jillian Watson added yet another Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider win to her tally on her daughters lovely OhMyHolly. With eight in the jump off, it was fast and furious but Jill and Holly stopped the clock marginally quicker than Laura Knight aboard Aria who ended up in second place.
The Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider brought the spectators another thrilling jump off with five combinations jumping double clear. Tessa Mason on WP Stella came through the flags the quickest to take the win, just a fraction ahead of Emily Oliver and Double J Sunshine.
Three five year olds produced the goods by jumping two faultless rounds for equal first place in the East Coast Performance Horses 5 Year Olds.
- Dylan Bibby on the Claire Wilson bred McMillans Big Time (Ngahiwi One Eye x Everytime/Telegraph).
- Vania Mason with the Laura McGregor bred Pure Silhouette (Chacco Silver x Pure Pink/ ES Centavos).
- Charlotte Conder aboard the Sharlene Workman bred Image Xtreme (Corofino II x Cardrona Xtreme/ Cassiano).
Finishing up a great weekend of jumping saw Anna Wilson pick up the red ribbon in the AMS Saddlery Pony Grand Prix – locally supported by Ruanui Station – by jumping the only double clear aboard Redcliffs Bill in a three way jump off. Tara Gower on The Lieutenants Daughter and Sasha Macnamara with She’s Pure Class both finished on eight faults leaving them in second and third place respectively.
For full results go to www.evoevents.co.nz
The Jumping Team – 12 February 2024