Sophie Blackbourn rides LT Holst Zalato Blue Photo: Libby Law Photography
Whilst the season is coming to a close, the competition is still hotting up with all eyes on the Let’s Jump Easter Classic at Taupo NEC this weekend. Building up to the Series Final Show next weekend, Toni McIntosh was thrilled with how the show went:
“It was fantastic and well supported, everyone had a great time, and a lot of people are staying on to do the two shows which is fabulous. We allowed the entries to continue to be open which ended up being a lot of entries. We ran just the one arena – as we often do – and I think people like that they can just focus on one ring. It did mean long days for our officials, but that is something that we are working on. We also ran a separate training ring that proved to be very popular. Pip Howells built in the main ring, and she does a very good job indoors. Not only does she know the arena and equipment very well, she also works great alongside Colin and I (Toni). Our next goal is to bring in an international course designer to work alongside Pip – who we claim as our resident course designer – to do a few shows and possibly seminars”.
Just four series classes ran, each bringing a thrilling jump off. Young gun Sophia Blackbourn had a fantastic show, heading a six horse jump off on LT Holst Zalato Blue to take out the FMG Young Rider ahead of Amy Gibbs & Steffield’s Candidate who also jumped double clear. “Blue jumped out of his skin today, I’m so proud of how he has stepped up to young’s this season so confidently. He really is the horse dreams are made of”. Sophia and ‘Blue’ continued their winning form by also taking out the 1.35m final, to share the championship title with Penny Borthwick & Nikama MVNZ.
The Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider saw three combinations coming back to test the clock. Jeremy Clark & Dynavyte Ipso Facto was first to go and looked to be setting a great challenge before taking two unlucky rails. Charlotte Amos & Aria GNZ produced a very smart double clear round that could have been enough, until the last to go – Josh Bremner & Triple Star Destinys Accolade took a slick inside turn to give them the advantage and sat them at the top of the podium.
In the Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider, Summer Borrie and Pure Cascade were the first to contend a four way jump off and jumped a foot perfect double clear to set a standard that no one could match.
The Harrison Lane Pro Am ended up being a contest between Paula Mussen & Noni Morgan who both added just four faults to their clean sheet, but it was Paula and Deja Vu NZPH who were slightly quicker to take the win, nudging Noni and Starlight Discovery into second place and Sophie Fourie & Budgie into third with their eight fault jump off round.
Hawkes Bay girl Julie Davey also had a show to remember with her grey girls firing on all cylinders. LT Holst Freda picked up a win and a 3rd place in the 1.40/45m, with Just D coming 2nd in both rounds which meant they finished on equal points to both take out the overall championship. Geordie Bull & Marius also picked up a very special award in the ‘Best Gentleman Rider’.
Taupo Show Jumping group consists of very few people that make it work: Toni & Colin McIntosh, Geordie Bull, Jo Bell, Cathy Vennell & Karen Niederer. A great group of people that are very enthusiastic about Show Jumping and the NEC and now they are looking forward to what is possibly the biggest date on their calendar, the Series Final this coming weekend.
“We have big entries for Series Final and we have tried to make the Series Final dinner as accessible as possible. For just $45 a ticket, you will get a family size buffet at your table consisting of three sides and two meats, dessert, as well as a drink on arrival plus a DJ will be performing. The dinner and awards presentations will be held on Saturday evening after three days of competition and there will be nothing on Sunday, so everyone can just relax and enjoy a really nice evening where we celebrate the series winners”.
Whilst dinner tickets are selling fast, there are some still available, so….what are you waiting for?!
The countdown is on to the big finale of the season, we can’t wait!!
For full results, go to www.evoevents.co.nz
Jumping Team
2 April 2024