Dylan Burton & Kenny G MS on their way to winning the FMG Young Rider Series at Show Jumping Waikato – Photo by Cornege Photography
The majority of the North Island flocked to Waikato Showjumping’s World Cup Show this weekend, hosted in stunning grounds of Takapoto Estate. The crowd stopper was of course the opening round of the FEI World Cup series that was won in style by Sophie Scott and her unicorn Waitangi Skynet. You can read all about that class here https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/2024/11/skynet-draws-first-blood-in-world-cup-series/
Dylan Burton has been knocking on the door for a while now, but it was his day in the FMG Young Rider – locally supported by Matamata Vets. Aboard the gentle giant Kenny G MS, they jumped the only double clear to ride away with the win. Ellie Bestwick won the Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider in the same style, with Captura jumping the only double clear.
The Brave Pants Company Pro-Am – locally supported by Cornege Photography – brought the spectators a fast and furious jump off with all four combinations going double clear. The fastest of these was Bernard Denton on Electra NZPH. The Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider also provided a thrilling jump off, with six combinations coming forward. Tara Gower was first to go and came out in full force with Double J Image, but unfortunately they missed jumping an obstacle, resulting in elimination. Tara did however have another chance with her second mount Pedro CSNZ, and she took every opportunity to redeem herself which resulted in a speedy clear round to take out the class. She swiftly backed this win up by also topping the following 1.30m class aboard Riverhills Legend.
The East Coast Performance Horses 5 Year Old – locally supported by Out The Gait Creative – was all about Logan Massie and the Dirk Waldin owned and bred Ulanda (Ulhan du Temple x La de Dar/Littorio), who jumped the only double clear for the win. Vicki Wilson and her homebred Dakota VWNZ ( Daminos x Empress VWNZ/Carrado MVNZ) took out the NZ Warmblood Association – locally supported by MVS Equine – 6 Year Olds in the same way. The NZPH & A1 Equine Reproduction 7 Year Old Series – locally supported by Fiber Fresh – saw four combinations enter the jump off with two posting another clear round. The fastest of those was Brooke Edgecombe and Inca NZPH (Up To You x Cinnamon NZPH/Pezetas du Rouet), finishing ahead of Jake Lambert and the Takapoto Estate owned and bred Takapoto Darius (Cassiano x Claire/Chasseur I).
The AMS Saddlery Pony Grand Prix – locally supported by Lim Farrier Services – brought down the curtain on a great weekend of competition, and it was all to play for. Clears were scarce in the first round with only James Steiner and TCG Centadel riding a flawless round, but seven combinations came back for the second round and the girls certainly put the pressure on James. Both Emily Oliver (Barbie Doll RSNZ) and Sofia Williams (Buzzie Bees Max) were clear in the second round, and the times couldn’t have been tighter with Emily stopping the clock in 55.15, and Sofia in 55.41. Unfortunately, the last to go James, had a miscommunication at the double with both elements falling, relegating them to fourth place,
Heading a little further south was the Manawatu A&P Show, where Lucy Fell continued her winning streak in The Brave Pants Company Pro Am. Sitting atop of her loveable but feisty Faratona STS, they were the only ones to jump a second clear in a four horse jump off.
“Tona was at her best today, and after the heavy rain yesterday, the outdoor footing was good. Huge thanks as always to Rose and The Brave Pants Company. I’m very lucky to not only be a sponsored rider, but also compete in her sponsored series. Rose is so multi-talented that she actually had to fix me earlier in the week with a really sore back muscle. There’s not much that gal can’t do!”
A solo double clear secured Bayly Jacobs and Gabriel HH the FMG Young Rider. The winner of the Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur rider was Laura Knight aboard Sentosa ahead of Jaime Watters and The Dash. Both had 4 faults in the jump off, but Laura and Sentosa were faster by just over 5 seconds.
Charlotte Scott headed a three way jump off in the Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider, with Double J Wilbur being the fastest of two double clears.
Bridget O’Sullivan & Armour Paris at the Ashburton A&P Show – taking out the Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider – Photo by Bella Maitland Photography
In the mainland, Ashburton hosted their annual A&P Show. The Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider- locally supported by Palmer Resources – provided a highly competitive class whilst attracting a big ringside audience. Tony Hutton designed lovely flowing and inviting tracks, and the amateurs certainly rose to the challenge, with two combinations going through to the jump off. Local girl Bridget O’Sullivan on Armour Paris, despite being new to this series, jumped the sole double clear to take the win.
Whilst only three came forward to contest the FMG Young Rider, Samantha Gillies and Lumarzo threw down the gauntlet with a solid clear round to take out the class. Summer Borrie on Pure Cascade and Molly Moffatt on Kingslea Couture just dropped a single rail to finish in second and third respectively.
Mitchell Cowan certainly took the centre stage in the Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider – locally supported by Pearsons Coachlines – with his clear round aboard My Centastage being good enough for the win.
It was a small but mighty group that contested the Show Hunter Series Points at the Wairarapa A&P held in Carterton. Sarah Jocelyn and Curioso had a great show taking out the NRM Open High Points, the Seahorse Supplements Adult Equitation and the ESNZ Show Hunter Amateur High Points. In the Pony ring, Pippa Petro and Waima Gin won the Vero Insurance Cat A High Points, Sasha Fairbrother and Kaimai Fire Fox the Grains & Gains Cat B High Points and Bridie King aboard Grassndale Gin took out The Brave Pants Company Cat C High Points.
For full results go to www.evoevents.com.
The Jumping Team – 4 November 2024