Jessica Hore on PH Global Mylorde – winners of the Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider at Otago Spring Show – Photo by Kelly Black Photography
This weekend must be considered one of New Zealand greatest sporting achievements in history. From the White Ferns becoming T20 World champions, to the Blackcaps defeating India on their home turf, the Silver Ferns giving the Diamonds a thrashing and Team Emirates New Zealand running away with their history making third consecutive America’s Cup (plus more – there’s just too many to include!). Annnnddd, back on home soil, some excellent showjumping competition from all over the country.
This time, we’ll start in the deep south, where Otago Showjumping hosted their Spring Show. Their committee was thrilled with a successful show with higher than expected entries, stemming from beautiful weather and premium ground conditions.
Jessica Hore had a show to remember. Not only did she take out the FMG Young Rider with the only double clear aboard Beaumont Casanova, she also headed the Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider with Global PH Mylorde.
Southlander Kimberleigh McCabe was also the sole double clear to take the win in The Brave Pants Company Pro-Am on her nippy thoroughbred Prince of Brooks. Rounding out the series classes was a competitive Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider that saw Lana Medder and WSJ Jonah stop the timers just a fraction quicker than Harriet Gardner on Endeavour T.
Makenzie Causer and Dolce Del Colle – Winners of the Property Brokers Horse Grand Prix at Marlborough Show – Photo by Michelle Clarke
Working our way up the island, we visit the Marlborough Spring Show that saw some good entries and great competition. Makenzie Causer led the way in the Property Brokers Horse Grand Prix, aboard Dolce Del Colle. She stopped the clock in 49.96 seconds, just ahead of Luci Askin and Flying Dutchman DHU. Johanna Wylaars aboard Cassera MS were on flying form to take the class out with their speedy time of 48.23 seconds, but one rail relegated them to third place.
In the FMG Young Rider, nothing could stop Molly Moffat and Kingslea Couture who took out the class. Johanna Wylaars gave it her best shot with both her horses, Centanna II and Cassera MS to finish in second and third place respectively. The NZPH & A1 Equine Reproduction 7 Year Old was only ever going to go Johanna’s way as she was the only entrant. But her solid round aboard AH California Dreaming gave her the deserved win.
Eve Wylaars followed in similar suit, despite being the only contender in the AMS Saddlery Pony Grand Prix on Larabelle, their clear round showed them to be the honourable winners of the title.
The Brave Pants Company Pro Am saw more of a fight for the win with Luci Askin and Cascade just pipping Katharine Coleman on her faithful Double J Sunshine to the post to take the win. Kate Cavanagh and Cera Chanel finished just behind for third place.
Mitchell Cowan on My Centastage topped the leaderboard in the Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider – locally supported by Paewai Transport – as did Katie Gerrets and Domino NZPH in the Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider.
Crossing the Cook Strait and trucking up the North Island, we land at the National Equestrian Centre in Taupo that hosted Equifest. Renowned for its fantastic trade stands and many demonstrations and clinics from the likes of the Wilson Sisters, plus more, it also brought some great showjumping.
Not only did Vicki Wilson headline the Saturday evening night show, she also headlined the Property Brokers Horse Grand Prix the following day.
“Once again a wonderful show at Equifest with Millionnaire VWNZ coming home with the win in the Grand Prix. This homebred horse tries his heart out, I had one moment where I put too much leg on him out of the corner and we bounded into a buck, but only having one stride to the fence brought his focus back to the job in hand. We had four wins over the weekend, and a second and third place in the big derby, so a wonderful show throughout”.
Vicki’s big plans for Equifest almost came to a stop when she had an unlucky fall just the week prior, despite suffering with aches and pains, she still gave it her all.
“Equifest is such a super show, and Ammie puts so much time into it that I had to make it work for her. The highlights for me were the clinics and the night shows”.
Whilst clears were scarce in the first round, and four competitors went through for an eight fault jump off, Zaria Johnson on HD Obsession pulled a smart clear out of the bag to take the win in the AMS Saddlery Pony Grand Prix.
Sophia Blackbourn continued her magical streak and won yet another FMG Young Rider aboard her striking grey unicorn LT Holst Zalato Blue. Three contended the jump off with Dylan Burton on Kenny GMS slotting into second to prevent Sophia a quinella. She finished in third place with Roxette ECPH after picking up four faults in the jump off.
The Brave Pants Company Pro Am saw four combinations make it into the second round, three of which jumped another clear. The fastest of these was Emily Watson aboard Eye Opener, she crossed the flags in 41.46 seconds, ahead of Sophie Fisher and Zara PPH in 45.45 seconds, and Laura McGregor on Pure Expression in 48.57 seconds. Another thrilling class came in the form of the Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider which saw eight going head to head in the second round. Four went double clear and the time at the top was tight! Marta Miller on Carlsberg 5 topped the table in 41.17 seconds, close behind were Hannah Steens on Double J Lyric in 41.18 seconds! Sarah Twentyman and Centa Valentino rounded out the podium in 42.27 seconds.
Meah Bradley aboard Capitano kept up their stellar form in the Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider, where their four fault effort in the first round was plenty good enough for the win.
Widely known as a top young horse producer, Vicki Prendergast looks to be adding another string to her bow in her homebred Stiletto C. By Cohinoor VDL and out of the wonderful mare Sofee (Powerfee), who has already left Vicki with some superstars-including World Cup jumper Selena C who sold to Australia not so long ago. This talented combination took out the NZPH & A1 Equine Reproduction 7 Year Old class with the fastest double clear. Oliver Croucher and Jackpot NZPH (Ulhan du Temple x Fastasia NZPH/ Non Plus Ultra) were the sole double clear to win the NZ Warmblood Association 6 Year Old outright.
James Steiner and TCD Centadel taking out the AMS Saddlery Pony Grand Prix at Woodhill Sands – Photo by Julia Murch Photography
The last stop on this weekend’s journey was at Woodhill Sands for the Shelley Bridgeman Grand Prix Show where they were “blessed with sunny skies and gentle breezes that perfectly complemented the spring atmosphere”. There could be no happier or more deserving winner of the Eryn Duffy built Property Brokers Horse Grand Prix – locally supported by Veterinary Associates Equine – than Michelle Wakeling and her homebred BMW Chaccolilli.
“It was my first ever Grand Prix win and very special to do it on a horse we bred, started and produced. I ain’t no Grand Prix rider but she always tries so hard for me”
James Steiner aboard TCG Centadel may have been the only combination to front up in the AMS Saddlery Pony Grand Prix – locally supported by Shelley Bridgeman -, but their clear round showed their class that deserved the win.
Summer Denize and Delta Latino’s double clear gave her the win in the FMG Young Rider – also locally supported by Shelley Bridgeman – with Maya Hegh and Corfu picking up four faults in the jump off for second place.
Natalia Lammers kept up her stellar form in The Brave Pants Company Pro Am – aboard Puro Crystal, she took the win in a fierce seven horse jump off. Finishing just behind was Kady Prujean on Calypso Xtreme for second place. The Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider – locally supported by Fiber Fresh- also saw a fantastic jump off where three out of eight combinations jumped double clear and the times could not have been tighter. Leading the way was Chloe Roylance and Groove Girl PSH in 41.64, just behind in second place we saw Isabelle Hawkins on Haupouri Da Vinci NZPH in 42.25 and Matisse Masterson aboard Jay-Z GNZ picking up this in 42.35.
The last two series classes also brought the spectators a fast and furious jump off. Sandra Stanford and El Vira headed a six horse jump off in the Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider – locally supported by GJ Gardner Homes, and Renie Hudson rode off with the top honours in the TiES Futurity Series – locally supported by Veterinary Associates Equine – aboard Rivermonte Lady in a seven horse jump off.
Sandra Stanford and El Vira – winners of the Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider – Photo by Julia Murch Photography
For full results, go to www.main-events.com and www.evoevents.co.nz
The Jumping Team – 23 October 2024