Oliver Edgecombe and Takapoto Tinka competing at HOY 2024 – Photo by KAMPIC/Sarah Lord
How lucky we were to have three spectacular shows held around the country, nicely distributed in the upper North Island, the lower North Island and the South Island. Feilding A&P Show hosted the North Island Show Jumping Championships which saw some fantastic battles for the titles. From all accounts, Jill Martin and her team put on a great show where the weather played ball and the riders enjoyed being out on the grass arena – a first for many years! A special shoutout goes to Daniel Webb who put many hours into watering and rolling the ground, as well as competing his own team of horses.
Oliver Edgecombe was one happy chappy to take home the top prize in the Harrison Lane Premier League Championship. Whilst Kimberly Carrington & Double J Typhoon were the only ones to jump clear within the time allowed in the first round, a costly rail in the second round relegated them to third place, a fantastic effort nonetheless, especially for their first start at this height. Aboard his young star, Takapoto Tinka, Oliver kept all the rails intact, just picking up three time faults in round one. Knowing he just had to jump clear to keep the pressure on in round two, he did exactly that and rode away with the title.
“It was a nice course by Heather (McDonald), she did a good job, and it wasn’t a high faulting class. She (Tinka) isn’t a horse I chase the clock with, so I had a feeling when I went out that I may come home with a couple of time faults, even though the time wasn’t particularly tight. It was nice to jump out on the grass, that hasn’t happened for a little while at Feilding. The ground was pretty good and I’m pleased with how my horse jumped, it worked well out there. There was also really good prize money which all the riders appreciated. I will aim Tinka for the next couple of World Cups, Takapoto and then the Olympic Cup at Horse of the Year”.
Sophie Scott was the only other rider to complete the second round on a clear with both her mounts. Waitangi Skynet carried just four faults from the first to finish in second place, and Benrose Stellar in fourth with the ten faults from the first round.
Young Sofia Williams is a name we’ve seen a lot of in the spotlight, and this weekend was no different. On Sitarski, she just edged ahead of Emily Oliver and Doctor Jones in the AMS Saddlery Pony Grand Prix Championship. Both girls left one rail on the floor in the jump off, with Sofia’s time of 47.79 bettering Emily in 48.52. That wasn’t to be this combination’s only title, as they also rode away with the Central ITM Pony Speed Championship title. Nothing was stopping this girl – she sure is on fire, as aboard Grassendale Enzo, she jumped the only clear in the jump off of the FMG Young Rider to add a third North Island Championship title to her collection!
It may come as a shock to many that, despite winning almost every title up for grabs, Lucy Fell has never won a North Island Championship class…..until now that is! Teamed up with her trusty sidekick Faratona STS, she sped around a fast and furious jump off for The Brave Pants Company Pro Am Championship title. Five contested the jump off, with two going double clear. Lucy and Tona galloped through the flags in 48.40 with Bailey Lourie and Henton Serenade hot on their heels in 49.07.
“I feel like I’ve been trying for a very long time, but a North Island Title proved elusive! I was disappointed to be missing The Brave Pants Company’s launch party for their athletic range, but Tona soon dealt to that. I actually rode the first round poorly and at one fence it was a ‘Jesus take the wheel” moment! A horse with less experience and heart would have ejected me from the tack!! Bailey did a very good jump off so I had to sort myself out and things went our way today. I am so so thrilled!”
Viggo Pedersen and Tribesmen’s Warrior jumped the only double clear to ride away as the Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider North Island Champions, as did Laura Knight on Sentosa in the Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider.
Kristi Salonius with the Bini Newsom bred MSNZ Royal Oak (Cervelt MVNZ x Nesha/ Salute the Stars) were the best of the bunch in the NZPH & A1 Equine Reproduction 7 Year Old Breeding Championship with the only clear. The NZ Warmblood Association 6 Year Old Breeding championship title went to Nicholas O’Leary with the Merrin Jaquiery bred Chicane (Chacco Silver x Ricker Ridge Vittoria/Voltaire II) who jumped double clear in 40.96. Annie Moffett came in second with her family bred Korokipo Ninja (Repicharge x Kiwi Dula/ Cabdulla du Tillard) in 42.95.
The East Coast Performance Horses 5 Year Old Breeding Championship provided a very competitive jump off with nine coming forward, and seven of those jumping another perfect round. Claire Wilson was the queen of speed, stopping the timers in 49.99 on McMillans Pippin (Double J Typhoon x The Big Apple/Corlando – bred by Claire Wilson & Clare Levin). Not far behind her was Logan Massie and the Dirk Waldin bred Ulanda (Ulhan du Temple x La de Dar/Littorio) in 50.34. Rounding out the podium, and making it a good day all round for the Double J Stud and Double J Typhoon to be precise, was Tylah Amrein and Double J Britz. Bred by Robyn Jacobs, Britz is also by Double J Typhoon and out of the Answer Back mare, Double J Juicy.
Kimberly Carrington kept up the Double J Stud’s good form and added the Kyrewood Saddlery Speed Championship title to their hoard, and Lucy Oliver on Zamari won the Pony Mini Prix Championship.
Laura Inkster and Rodrigo MVNZ at a previous Woodhill Sands show – Photo by Lindy W Photography
Woodhill Sands are often the proud hosts of shows, most weekends, but this one was extra special with the Save Our Sands Grand Prix Fundraising Show. An event aimed at strengthening the winter funds when poor weather reduces entry numbers, but the bills don’t stop. With 65 unique sponsors getting on board plus all the amazing volunteers that helped the show run smoothly, it was a raging success.
Laura Inkster picked up her third Property Brokers Horse Grand Prix win on the trot. This time the class was kindly sponsored by long-time supporter, Shelley Bridgeman. Two four faulters from the first round went forward to compete for the win and with both going clear in the jump off, it all came down to the clock. Aboard Rodrigo MVNZ, Laura flew through the flags in 43.51, comfortably ahead of Francesca Corich van der Bas and Bannockburn ECPH in 45.10.
“I’m so pleased to finish our year off with another GP win, a few different people in the line up this week too! Basil has stepped up very well and we are looking forward to the rest of the season. It has been so great jumping at Woodhill Sands on the grass, we appreciate all they do to make these shows happen. Huge thanks, as always, to my parents and of course Mike & Carissa McCall”.
With only one starter in the AMS Saddlery Pony Grand Prix – locally supported by Veterinary Associates Equine, it was only ever going to go Adison Hall’s way, but she solidified her win by jumping a fantastic clear on Flaxhill La Rocco.
The FMG Young Rider – locally supported by AMS Saddlery – saw the girls rise to the top. Three headed into the jump off, with two combinations going double clear. In the saddle of Resolution, Aimee Collinson was the fastest of these in 40.06. Coming in hot on her heals was Maya Hegh and Corfu. Summer Denize and Delta Latino sped around the course with the quickest time of the day in 38.39, but an unfortunate rail prevented them taking the win.
Aimee also rode away with the win in the Main-Events Tertiary Series – locally supported by the Woodhill Group, this time riding Casstella Xtreme.
The Brave Pants Company Pro-Am – locally supported by GJ Gardner Homes – saw a jump off that came down to the wire. Sandra Stanford and El Vira set the standard, zooming around in 40.37, a time that could not be beaten – although it came close, with Trudi Mitchell aboard Highlander NZPH finishing in 40.42 for second place.
Josh Bremner carried on his success from the Taupo Show, picking up another win in the Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider – locally supported by Inkster Landscapes – on LT Holst Francis. Keira Featherstone and Capitano GNZ rode away with many ribbons over the weekend, including the Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider – locally supported by Fiber Fresh.
Vicki Prendergast with her homebred Stiletto C (Cohinoor VDL x Sofee/Powerfee) were the queens of the NZPH and A1 Equine Reproduction 7 Year Old Breeding Series with the only clear in the jump off.
Maddison Greatorex had a super weekend with her young horses, she was the sole winner of the NZ Warmblood Association 6 Year Old Breeding Series – locally supported by Parkhurst Stables & Equestrian – on Chacco Sylvia SF (Chacco Silver x Rakaunui/Loewenherz – bred by Nikita Seaforth O’Donnell), and also shared the win in the East Coast Performance Horses 5 Year Old Breeding Series – locally supported by Hilary Bladen Dark Bay Ltd- this time aboard the Warwick Hansen bred Haupouri Kalani (Quool du bois Margot x Haupouri Alaska/Fetiche du Pas). Sharing the prize money was Michelle Wakeling and her homebred BMW Candykane (Candyman GNZ x Weiti Triumph/ Weiti Handy Andy).
Emma Gillies and Lafayet Ego Z – Winners of the Property Brokers Horse Grand Prix – Photo by Michelle Clarke
Heading down south, many flocked to the Show Jumping Canterbury Christmas Cracker Premier Show which saw some good quality jumping across all classes. Eryn Duffy built some great courses and in the words of Chairwoman Pip Wylaars, “Eryn is always a pleasure and is great to work with”. Whilst the weather was ideal for the majority, the beautiful Canterbury weather also brought some soaring temperatures and howling wind to close out the show.
Emma Gillies gave her more senior counterparts a run for their money when she took out the Property Brokers Horse Grand Prix – locally supported by Kinloch Farm. Aboard her relatively new mount, Lafayette Ego Z, she jumped the only double clear for the win.
The AMS Saddlery Pony Grand Prix – locally supported by Kiwi Conveyancing Solutions – couldn’t have come to a tighter conclusion. Molly Smith sped around the shortened course in 56.16 on Vapour Trail NZPH, with Mitchell Cowan and Springvale Tama coming closely behind in 56.80.
Anna Nalder and Letano were the only ones to jump a clear in a challenging and technical FMG Young Rider – locally supported by Hussey Paint & Panel. As were Ashley Konig & L’heure du Vin in The Brave Pants Company Pro Am – locally supported by Vernon & Vazey Truck Parts, and Emma Gillies on Grandeur ECPH in the Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider, where her experience really shone through.
As it often does, the Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider – locally supported by PL Performance Horses – gave the crowds the exciting jump off they had been longing for. Seven combinations came in to the battle, with three perfecting their second round. Amy Evans and Puketeraki were the quickest in 41.92, with Angela Ruddenklau aboard Red Rafferty just a smidge behind in 42.34. Sarah Parkes and Windermere Centarose rounded out the podium in 49.12.
The TiES Jumping Series was another great class, with eleven combinations reliving their race days and putting their speed to the test in the jump off. The fastest through the flags was Margaret Ridley and Rockfort in a classy time of 40.56, some three seconds ahead of second placed Keira Inglis and Dream Brave.
Clears were scarce in the young horse classes, but each brought a deserving winner. Harry Feast and the Sharleen Workman owned and bred Cassafino Xtreme (Corofino II x Carnival Xtreme/Cassiano) secured their win in the East Coast Performance Horses 5 Year Old Breeding Series – locally supported by Canterbury Equine – with the sole double clear, as did Johanna Wylaars and the Lily Sutherland bred Demietta (Daminos x Octavia Queen/Don Quattro) in the NZ Warmblood Association 6 Year Old Breeding Series – locally supported by Lock N Code. Johanna carried her good fortune into the NZPH & A1 Equine Reproduction 7 Year Old Breeding Series where she jumped a solid clear for the win on the Amberley House bred AH California Dreaming (Euro Sport Centavos x Lilliana/ Littorio).
For full results, go to www.evoevents.co.nz
The Jumping Team – 11 December 2024