The new season kicked off this weekend with Woodhill Sands hosting the Fiber Fresh Spring Series GP show which attracted a decent amount of competitors, all battling for the first series points of the 2024-25 season.
Whilst the FMG Young Rider – in conjunction with GJ Gardner Homes – saw a small field of four come forward, it was a battle of the young ladies in the jump off. Both Madison Jackson (Henton Excalibur) and Rose Windross (Double J Kelvin) jumped a double clear, with Madison just pipping Rose to the post.
Madi was stoked to take home the top points and start her season in the best way:
“I’m thrilled to have started the season with a win in the Young Rider class. Henton Excalibur and I have been working hard over the winter, determined to hit the ground running and set the tone for the rest of our season. The surface at Woodhill Sands was fantastic and the course was the perfect first track – welcoming, yet still testing enough to kick off the season”.
The ladies certainly were firing on all cylinders this weekend, as it was Paula Mussen (Deja Vu NZPH) and Laura McGregor (Pure Expression) that went head to head in The Brave Pants Pro-Am – in conjunction with Fiber Fresh – jump off. In the end, it was Paula’s double clear that cemented the win for her.
The relatively new combination of Matt Taylor and Kiwi Windfall couldn’t have started their career together in a better way. Jumping the only double clear saw them canter off with the red ribbon in the Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider – in conjunction with Fiber Fresh. Matt set the standard with a lovely clear in the jump off, and while his time was beaten by the two that followed, his clear round could not be replicated. Meah Bradley (Capitano) finished in second place and Joel Thompson (Neon) in third, both picking up four faults in the jump off.
Natalia Hall had a stellar start to her season, not only did she take the win in the Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider – in conjunction with Shelley Bridgeman – aboard Hallway Mighty Mouse, she also finished third on Colorado Cruiser. Sandwiched between Natalia, in second place was Josh Bremner on Triple Star Destiny’s Accolade.
In Woodhill’s own Grand Prix Super Series 1.25-1.30m, Michelle Wakeling proved too speedy. Six combinations raced around the jump off with four of those jumping double clear, but it was Michelle and her faithful steed BMW Chaccolilli that finished on top, flying through the flags some two seconds quicker than their fellow competitors.
As always, the Woodhill Sands team showed huge appreciation to all of their sponsors and officials, as well as the volunteer gatekeepers and ring crew, and they look forward to welcoming everyone back for the GJ Gardner Grand Prix Show on 7th and 8th September.
For full results, go to www.evoevents.co.nz
28 August 2024