Sophia Blackbourn and LT Holst Zelato Blue – Winners of the FMG Young Rider class at Woodhill Sands.
Woodhill Sands opened their gates once again this weekend, welcoming competitors to the second series show of the season with the GJ Gardner Homes Spring Series Show.
Four series classes took place, and while the entries weren’t huge, some high class competition was provided.
Young gun Sophia Blackbourn cantered into the new season on a high, taking out the FMG Young Rider – locally supported by Veterinary Associates. Aboard her consistent stablemate LT Holst Zalato Blue, she headed a strong field with four combinations going through to the jump off and stopped the timers over five seconds quicker than second placed Aimee Collinson & Resolution, who also jumped a double clear.
After an unlucky accident last year, Sophia was thrilled to start her season in such a good way:
“My whole team has been in work the whole winter, so it feels great to hit the ground running and pick up where we left off after some set backs last season. Blue jumped a great speedy double clear round and he’s feeling like he will be ready to step up in the heights this season, maybe some 1.40m classes and Grand Prix, but my main focus for the season is the Young Rider Series”.
The Brave Pants Company Pro Am- locally supported by GJ Gardner Homes – saw a small field come forward, the best of whom was Laura McGregor & Pure Expression. This pair really showed their consistency by backing up the previous shows second place result with a solid win this week by jumping the solo clear round.
Zara Main and Edison D.N fought off some strong competition to ride off into the sunset with the winners ribbon in the Mainland Coachworks Junior Rider – locally supported by Fiber Fresh. Five competitors got through to the jump off with Matisse Masterson and Jay Z GNZ producing the only other double clear, just a couple of seconds shy of Zara’s time. Matt Taylor aboard Starlight Dalaman gave it their all to stop the timers the quickest, but sadly one rail fell which relegated them to third place.
Josh Bremner certainly put his speedy pants on when he entered the Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider – locally supported by Shelley Bridgeman – on Triple Star Destiny’s Accolade. Five combinations ventured into the jump off, but Josh’s double clear in 35.24 seconds cemented the win, finishing nearly ten seconds quicker than second placed Natalia Hall and Colorado Cruiser.
Jesse Linton and Hot Chocolate NZPH (owned by Paula Mussen) winning the Mini Prix
Jesse Linton won the 1.25-1.30m super Series Grand Prix on Hot Chocolate NZPH, jumping double clear and just sneaking ahead of Jaime Campbell on Parisian Affair and the inform Laura McGregor and Pure Expression who also jumped double clear to finish in second and this place respectively.
It takes a team to run these shows, and as always, the Woodhill crew show great thanks and appreciation to all their sponsors, judges, course builders, jump crew, stewards and volunteers. They will be back again in a fortnight with the Veterinary Associates Spring Series Show.
For full results, go to www.evoevents.co.nz
The Jumping Team – 11 September 2024