Edward Bullock aboard Kiwi Sundance – Winners of the Property Brokers Horse Grand Prix in Gisborne – Photo Credit – The Black Balloon.
Gisborne hosted their annual Larsen Sawmilling Equestrian Championships and what a weekend it was for Edward Bullock who rode Kiwi Sundance to his first Property Brokers Horse Grand Prix – (locally supported by Larsen Sawmilling) – win in many years, finishing just ahead of Oliver Edgecombe and Takapoto Tinka who also jumped a lovely double clear.
“It was a big thrill to win a Grand Prix at Gisborne and it was my first GP win in well over 10 years and Kiwi Sundance’s first. Kiwi Sundance is a 9 year old gelding who was bred by Fernhill Stud. Kiwi Sundance is by Kiwi Bonus, who is ridden up to Grand Prix by Charlotte Condor in Wellington.
We had a lovely course designed by Peter Holmes. While it was very rideable it still had its challenges. Kiwi Sundance was a little keen in the first round but jumped the fences really well. After watching Oliver Edgecombe and Takapoto Tinka ride a beautiful rhythmical round, my plan was to ride much the same way.
I always enjoy making the trip over to Gisborne and it is a pleasure to build at their show. I have made many friends with the locals and catching up with everyone makes the stay even more enjoyable. A big thank you to John Larsen of Larsen Sawmill. The name Larsen is synonymous with the Gisborne Show.
I enjoyed my celebratory Property Brokers gin while sitting on the Larsen Sawmill bench”.
Sounds like a great way to celebrate a fantastic weekend Edward!
Georgie Coop and Barney Rubble picked up just four faults in the AMS Saddlery Pony Grand Prix – (locally supported by East Coast Wools), which was good enough for the win.
A flurry of clears came in the FMG Young Rider – (locally supported by FMG Gisborne), where three combinations kept a clean set of heels, but Tara Gower was the worthy winner in the end. Riding Riverhills Legend, she raced around the shortened course to stop the timers in 40.06, over five seconds clear of second placed Libby Fussell and Lord Rendition, with Samantha Lee Wakeling and the experienced Veroana rounding out the podium in third.
Samantha Lee Wakeling carried her good form over into the Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider – (locally supported by Stihl Shop Gisborne). This time riding BMW Braveheart, she stopped the clock in 52.38, finishing just a fraction ahead of Coco Fougere and The Boss in 52.54. Tara Gower and Quintress Ula V GNZ were the quickest around the course in 52.16, but one rail fell to the ground to prevent her from picking up another win.
The Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider – (locally supported by Matthews Hanoverians) – was another to deliver multiple clears and provide a thrilling jump off. The times were tight, but it was Shelagh Nolan and Ngahiwi Eyeza Blue’s day. They finished in 43.61, with Kayleigh Kent and Double J Spongebob Square Pants coming in second in a time of 44.42, and Kate Ormond on Ngahiwi Gruffalo finishing third in 50.81. Lucy Dalley and Ngahiwi Prince had the fastest time in 42.54, but a pesky rail hit the deck to leave them just outside the podium. A very successful class for the Ngahiwi horses!
Four faults were the best scores to come from the first round of The Brave Pants Company Pro Am – (locally supported by BJ Moss) – forcing a two way jump off between Rachel Nelson (Good Tune NZPH) and Noni Morgan (Starlight Discovery), with both going on to jump a clear round. Unfortunately Noni picked up just two time faults, meaning that Rachel rode away with the win.
The NZPH & A1 7 Year Old Breeding Series were only ever going to end in Brooke Edgecombe’s favour, being the only competitor to step forward. Nonetheless, she jumped a solid round for just the one rail aboard Inca NZPH (Up To You x Cinnamon NZPH/ Pezetas du Rouet) for a well-deserved red ribbon.
Two double clears came in the East Coast Performance Horses 5 Year Old Breeding Series – (locally supported by Bayleys Gisborne). Fraser Tombleson and his homebred National Young Horse title winner, Mr Shelby (Eurosport Diamant B x Mea/ Ngahiwi One Eye) and Michelle Wakeling on her homebred BMW Candykane (Candyman GNZ x Weiti Triumph/ Handy Andy).
The Trans-Tasman Teams Challenge is always a highlight of the Larsen Sawmilling Show, and this year was no exception, especially with the Kiwis landing a clean sweep over the visiting Aussies. The New Zealand team, made up of Johanna Wylaars, Emma Gillies, Penny Borthwick and Tara Gower won all three days and picked up two bonus points to finish on a total of seventeen points. The Australian Team, Tanner Robinson, Hannah Doolan, Tilly Fair and Cody Tincknell, jumped some great rounds, but the illusive win evaded them. They finished on a total of nine points. Johanna Wylaars jumped four clears over the three days, and Double J Image (owned by Tara Gower) and Central City (owned by Caroline & Diesel Coop) were the joint winners of the best performed horse. You can read more about the team competition HERE
Robert Steele and Rosehill Park Hermes – winners of the Property Brokers Horse Grand Prix at Taranaki – Photo Credit – Denise Flay Photography
Over on the West coast, Taranaki Equestrian Jumping presented the Craigs Investment Partners Grand Prix Show over the weekend at the stunning Egmont A&P Showgrounds in Hawera, and needless to say, Chairperson Kim Winks was thrilled with how the weekend ran:
“The show was well supported with some great jumping on the fantastic grass surface in all rings over the three days. The Property Brokers Horse Grand Prix Series Class (locally supported by Craigs Investment Partners) was won by ex-local rider Robert Steele and Rosehill Park Hermes, who took out the win by nearly four seconds with a very classy jump off.
The AMS Saddlery Pony Grand Prix Series Class (supported by Waikato Equine Vet Centre) was won by Wellington rider Isla Bowley and Foxdens Merlot.
The Jude Watt Memorial Taranaki Classic class, which is run at 1.30m-1.40m was a popular class on Saturday, and was won by Ike Baker and Zirrena, who were also placed 3rd in the class.
A highlight of the weekend was again the Spot You Later Cup, which is a 40cm style class for riders under 10yrs old. This year the winner was the gorgeous wee pony Barbie, and her very cute rider Francie Steiner.
Francie Steiner & Barbie – Winners of the “Spot You Later” cup in Taranaki – Photo Credit – Cornege Photography
The Taranaki Equestrian Jumping Group would like to thank NZCT for their support, and also to Craigs Investment Partners who were our Diamond sponsors this year. The show could not run without the support of our sponsors, and the Egmont A&P Assn, who had prepared the grounds to perfect jumping conditions with support from TEJ group”.
As Kim mentioned, Bob Steele and Rosehill Park Hermes were the worthy winners of the Property Brokers Grand Prix – (locally supported by Craigs Investment Partners). Three combinations dropped just one rail in the first round to contest the jump off, where all three went clear. Bob sped through the flags in 45.57, with Kelly Smith and Kings Larkin coming behind in 49.44 for second place, and Sophie Fourie on Incendivity HSH stopping the clock in 52.77 for third.
Isla Bowley and Foxdens Merlot jumped the only double clear in the AMS Saddlery Pony Grand Prix – (locally supported by Waikato Equine Vet Centre) and Henry Martin on Kiwi Strike were the only clear in the Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider – (locally supported by Mag & Tyre). Keeping up the trend of solo clears was Kimberly Carrington on her homered Double J Saga (Euro Sport Centavos x Double J Barmaid/ Double J Repicharge) in the NZPH & A1 Equine Reproduction 7 Year Old Breeding Series.
Staying with the age classes, Nicholas O’Leary and the Merrin Jaquiery owned and bred Chicane (Chacco Silver x Ricker Ridge Vittoria/ Voltaire II) were the outright winners in the NZ Warmblood Association 6 Year Old Breeding Series – (locally supported by Greymouth Petroleum), again with the only double clear.
Two combinations shared the first prize in the East Coast Performance Horses 5 Year Old Breeding Series. Tylah Amrein kept the flag flying for the Double J Stud by jumping a double clear on Double J Phyliss (Double J Typhoon x Irish Mac/ Omnicorp). Joining her on top of the podium was Julianne Revfeim and Coruba GNZ (Pensylvania x Brie/ Lansing).
The Brave Pants Company Pro Am – (locally supported by Fairweather Building) – saw some sibling rivalry go head to head in the jump off. In the end, it was younger sister Chloe Hansen who took the win on Stevenson ECPH, with Lucy Fell and Faratona STS coming in second.
It sure was a great weekend for the Double J horses with Charlotte Scott giving them another win in the FMG Young Rider – (locally supported by Dean Morgan Insurance Services). Riding Double J Wilbur, she finished in 48.16, just ahead of Chloe Armstrong and Lakota in 50.53.
Local lady Jillian Watson had a great win in a very competitive Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider – (locally supported by Craigs Investment Partners). Aboard OhMyHolly, they sped around to finish atop of a six horse jump off, four of which jumped two perfect rounds.
Down in the South Island, many were warming up for the upcoming Nationals, at the Ashburton Area Show. Tyler McKee and Corrida picked up another Property Brokers Horse Grand Prix win with a smart double clear, with Makenzie Causer and Dolce Del Colle coming in second place.
Kate Houston and Cera Chanel were the convincing winners in The Brave Pants Company Pro Am – (locally supported by Dennis Bird). They finished nearly six seconds clear of second placed Ashley Konig and L’heure du Vin, with both jumping double clear.
Two double clears also came in the Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider – (locally supported by Hayden Mackenzie Contracting). Candace Kingsbury and Allie Saab raced around jumping the quickest to top the podium, with Andrew Munro and Estelle coming in second place.
Anna Nalder and Letano had the fastest time in the FMG Young Rider – (locally supported by ANZCO), but with one rail falling, the win went to the double clear of Molly Moffatt and Lazarus GNZ.
Molly Moffatt certainly was on winning form, as she went on to take out the Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider, this time riding Dynavyte Caribou DL. Stopping the clock in 54.07, she finished just ahead of Eva Wylaars and Centanna II in 55.67.
For full results go to www.evoevents.co.nz
The Jumping Team – 29 January 2025