Penny Borthwick rides Double J Breeze On in the Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider. ESNZ Jumping Series Final – Taupo. Saturday 6 April 2024. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography
Double J Breeze On is a name that many are familiar with. Bred by Wendy & Robyn Jacobs at the well renowned Double J Stud, this wonderful mare has a long list of accolades accomplished by an equally long list of NZ’s most talented riders. A young ‘Bo’, as she’s fondly known as at home, started her career under Wendy Jacobs who confidently produced her as a four and five year old, the talented Karen Patrick then took over the reins for her six year old year where they had much success. Well known horseman Jesse Linton was the next lucky rider to take the hot seat, jumping her in the seven year old series whilst sharing the ride with Wendy’s daughter Sam Carrington, who rode her in the Junior Rider classes. Sam went on to jump Young Rider and Mini Prix classes with Bo over the next five seasons with wins up to 1.45m. But it was Penny Borthwick that brought this superstar mare’s career to a close, going out in style by winning the Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider Series and if this wasn’t enough, this combination also finished up in second place in the FMG Young Rider Series. Talk about going out with a bang!
Penny was gifted the ride on Double J Breeze On as her first hack coming off ponies, a ride that she had for two seasons and saw her jumping up the levels.
“She taught me the ropes, I owe a massive thanks to the Double J Stud, Wendy & Sam, for giving me the opportunity to ride Bo. She’s a cool mare to ride and taught me a lot, she took me to my first Premier Young Rider”.
Whilst it was decided early on that this would be Double J Breeze On’s final season, Penny states that the Junior Rider Series wasn’t a goal to win. “Obviously, it’s really nice, but it wasn’t a priority, I just thought that whatever would be, would be”.
Going into the series final, things couldn’t have been tighter, and it was a nail biting finish to the series. A win for Penny & Bo saw them clinch the title from Tara Gower by just one single point.
“It was pretty special to win the Junior Rider Final at Taupo with Bo, as it was her last ever round before she retires to be a broodmare. It was very cool to finish her career on a high as she is such a consistent mare that always gives 110%”.
The Masterton teen is in her final year of St Matthews and whilst she has successfully juggled school and working her horses daily, her future focus is on going to university. “I want to do something agriculture, so the horses will be a hobby. That’s as far as I’ve thought, I will just take each day as it comes”.
I’m sure this won’t be the last we’ll see of Penny as she still has the very lovely Nikama MVNZ, who she’s aiming to be consistent with at the Young Rider Level over the coming seasons. And you never know, maybe we’ll see her in the ring on a Double J Breeze On offspring as Penny is certain that she’s a very exciting broodmare who will have lovely babies.
Penny concludes by thanking Mainland Coachwork for their sponsorship, and also FMG for their Young Rider Sponsorship, as well as the Double J Stud, “I couldn’t do it without them, and thanks to everyone else that’s helped”.
Mainland Coachwork are experienced and passionate builders of Horse Coaches. Operating from a custom-built workshop in Ashburton, Canterbury they are specialists in building custom horse coaches for customers across New Zealand. Paul and Kate attend many shows staying in touch with customers and providing advice for anyone considering new builds, upgrades and general maintenance for their trucks and floats.
Final Results Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider Series
1st Penny Borthwick (125 points)
2nd Tara Gower (124)
3rd Emily Oliver (111)
4th Molly Moffatt (106)
5th Summer Borrie (93)
6th Johanna Wylaars (83)
28 May 2024