Sophie Scott & Benrose Stellar jumping in the Property Brokers Horse Grand Prix at Taranaki – Photo by Denise Flay Photography

 

Egmont A&P alongside Taranaki Equestrian Jumping hosted a double header this weekend, with competitors from all over the country heading there to fully exploit the two lots of series points on offer.  Smooth sailing it was not, with the weather gods throwing it all out there, it resulted in the opening day of the show being cancelled. However, as the old saying goes, the show must go on, and that it did. A quick reshuffle of the schedule from the hardworking committee brought two days of fantastic competition and even the sun showed its face.

Not many could have wished for a better weekend than Sophie Scott, who not only trifecta’d the first Property Brokers Grand Prix with Waitangi Skynet, Normandy GHP and Benrose Stellar taking out the podium, she went on to follow this up the next day with Benrose Stellar taking the win and Normandy GHP in third place in the second Property Brokers Grand Prix.  Nakeysha Dickey slotted nicely in-between for second place with Balboa NZPH, after winning the Mini Prix the previous day.

Sofia Williams’ weekend followed in similar suit, she quinella’d the AMS Saddlery Pony Grand Prix on day one with Buzzie Bees Max jumping the only clear for the top spot, and Sitarski coming in second with four faults. In the second AMS Saddlery Pony Grand Prix, Sitarski wore the winners sash with the only clear round and Buzzie Bees Max came in with four faults. Preventing Sofia another quinella was Isla Bowley, who picked up three time faults to finish in second place.

This wasn’t the only win that Sofia had, she also topped the class in the FMG Young Rider on Grassendale Enzo, narrowly beating Sophia Blackbourn & LT Holst Zalato Blue with both jumping clear in very close times. Sophia Blackbourn also picked up second place in the second FMG Young Rider where she was just pipped to the post by Tara Gower on Riverhills Legend.

And that’s not all, I hear you, there can’t possibly be any more that a girl can win. Well, there is…. the Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider. Aboard Off the Cuff, Sofia jumped the only double clear to land yet another victory. Tara Gower and Double J Image had the faster time, but a rail on the floor left them in second place.  The second Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider class saw the tables turn with Tara and Double J Image taking out first place & Sofia with Off the Cuff in second, with just milliseconds separating the two. Tara also picked up third place with Pedro CSNZ.

Kristi Salonius won the first Brave Pants Company Pro-Am aboard MF Stardust, her second win of the season and Lucy Fell on Faratona STS took out their fourth Brave Pants Company Pro-Am win in a row on the second day. The Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider was won by Laura Pratt and Monet X Change on day one and by Jill Watson and OhMyHolly on day two.

The East Coast Performance Horses 5 Year Old Breeding Series saw a number of double clears share equal first place over the two days, and was largely dominated by the Double J Stud bred horses.

  • Double J Britz & Tylah Amrein (Double J Typhoon x Double J Juicy/Answer Back)
  • Double J Joker & Kimberly Carrington (Double J Typhoon x Ratamill/Stannic)
  • Ulanda & Logan Massie (Uhlan du Temple x La De Dar/Littorio – bred by Dirk Waldin).
  • Double J Blizzard & Kimberly Carrington (Euro Sport Centavos x Double J Breeze/Voltaire II)
  • Double J Phyliss & Tylah Amrein (Double J Typhoon x Irish Mac/ Omnicorp)
  • Global PH Alice & Laine Cameron (Andretti x Global PH Corletto/Contendros 2).

 

The NZ Warmblood Association 6 Year Old Breeding Series saw four combinations share the top prize:

  • Image Xtreme & Charlotte Conder (Corofino II x Cardrona Xtreme/Cassiano – bred by Sharleen Workman).
  • Pure Silhouette & Vania Mason (Chacco Silver MS x Pure Pink/ Euro Sport Centavos – bred by Laura McGregor).
  • Justified NZPH & Aliya Berry (Candy de Nantuel x Frizzante NZPH/Non Plue Ultra).
  • Java NZPH & Tanya Hansen (Cicave du Talus x Sparkles NZPH/Mariette).

 

Logan Massie & Gladiator ECPH (Grand Slam VDL x Phoebe Nimmerdor/ Ephebe Forever) won the NZPH & A1 Equine Reproduction 7 Year Old Breeding Series on day one, finishing less than a second quicker than Vicki Prendergast on her homebred Stiletto C (Cohinoor VDL x Sofee/Powerfee). Vicki and Beezie were also the bridesmaids in the second NZPH & A1 Equine 7 Year Old Breeding Series class, this time with Kimberly Carrington and Double J Saga (Euro Sport Centavos x Double J Barmaid/Double J Repicharge) taking the win with the only double clear.

Tanya Hansen & Java NZPH – winners of the NZ Warmblood Association 6yo Breeding Series at Taranaki Equestrian Jumping

 

Taranaki Equestrian Jumping Chairwoman Kim Winks & Show Director Tanya Hansen were right to be proud of their committee’s achievement with the show:

“The committee adapted swiftly and adjusted the schedule to ensure that all show jumping and show hunter series classes ran smoothly over two days. The event showcased exceptional, quality jumping on expertly designed courses, with competitive jump offs. A special thanks goes to the Egmont A&P Association for their outstanding presentation of the grounds – the beautiful grass surface was praised by many. A heartfelt mention goes to the New Zealand Community Trust & Toi Foundation for their vital contributions in keeping showjumping and show hunter thriving in Taranaki”.

 

Rose Windross & Double J Kelvin taking out the FMG Young Rider at Brookby SJ – Photo by Julia Murch Photography

 

The Power Farming Brookby Showjumping Show was a resounding success that surpassed all expectations with a phenomenal turnout and some big jump offs created some great competition.

Rose Windross and Double J Kelvin jumped a double clear in the FMG Young Rider – locally supported by Hawkins Homes – finishing a couple of seconds clear of Aimee Collinson on Resolution.

Vicki Ridley aboard Mosaic II headed The Brave Pants Company Pro Am – locally supported by St James Horses – with the speediest double clear in a ten horse jump off, with five combinations all jumping double clear.

The Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider- locally supported by Dynavyte NZ saw seven combinations go head to head in the jump off, of which five also went double clear – the fastest of these were Stacey Brown and Catraz KSNZ. 

Kate Ormond & Ngahiwi Gruffalo winning the Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider at Brookby SJ – Photo by Julia Murch Photography

 

Possibly the most popular win of the day was seen in the Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider with a huge eleven combinations perfecting the first round to contend for the red ribbon. Once again, five went on to jump another clear round, the quickest of which was none other than the fantastic show organiser Kate Ormond and Ngahiwi Gruffalo.

“It was a highlight for me to see my own pony secure his first amateur win with a speedy double clear in a hotly contested class. It’s moments like these, shared with friends and fellow competitors that make all the hard work worth it. It was a small victory, but a huge moment of joy for me, reflecting on the endless hours or training and preparation”.

As one of the show organisers, Kate was thrilled with how the weekend planned out, which could not have been done without her fellow organiser Kirsten Worker.

“Together we navigated the inevitable challenges and celebrated the wins, big and small. It’s our shared love for this sport and this community that keeps us going, even when the days are long and tough. It was heart-warming to witness so many riders, both seasoned competitors and fresh faces, eager to take part in what has become a highlight of the season. No show is complete without the tireless efforts of our incredible team of sponsors, helpers, judges, stewards and course designers, whose dedication was evident in every aspect of the show.  A special thank you goes to everyone who pitched in during the hectic course changes, this is where community spirit truly shines. It’s a reminder that while the riders are the stars of the show, it’s the combined effort of everyone behind the scenes that makes the event a success”.

Wise words Kate, couldn’t have said it better myself!

 

Canterbury celebrated their Anniversary Day and the A&P hosted the NZ Agricultural Show held at Canterbury Park in Christchurch.

Nayton Mitchell and Brosnacroft Centilivi jumped the only clear in The Brave Pants Company Pro Am to take the win.

“With a busy schedule training thoroughbreds, it’s been nice to find time to get back out in the ring again. Livi is a quality horse and I hope to get some more ring time with him and step up to the Mini Prix/1.40m heights later in the season if he’s tracking well.  This show is a huge season staple for a lot of the South Island riders and comes with a great atmosphere. It’s very well run and always a pleasure to compete there”.

Ellie Flett took out the Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider in the same style, with Distilled Silver MSNZ jumping the only clear round. Mitchell Cowan was unlucky to pick up just a single time fault on My Centastage for second place.

Quinn Coutts and LT Holst Harley may have been the only ones to contend the FMG Young Rider, but they left all the rails standing to make the win theirs.

Maddi Thompson dominated the Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider and took out the top two places. She was fastest on Centrestage and less than a second behind with Covergirl. Angela Frewer completed the podium with Lansina.

 

For full results go to www.evoevents.co.nz

The Jumping Team – 19 November 2024