Sophie Scott aboard Normandy GHP in the Mana Stables FEI CSI 1* – Photo by Michelle Clarke
The Alabastar Contracting Central & Southern Hawkes Bay Jumping Show brought us the opening World Cup for 2025 and the committee were thrilled with how the weekend planned out.
“What a sensational show from start to finish, with a huge amount of hard working people, officials, volunteers and helping hands that go into making these events happen, and well, it wouldn’t have been a Dannevirke Show without a little sprinkling of rain – but nothing that a puffer jacket and hot coffee couldn’t cure! A huge thank you to all of our amazing sponsors and riders, we hope you had an enjoyable and successful weekend, and we already can’t wait to see you again in 2026”.
Saturday was well and truly owned by Sophie Scott, who was not satisfied to just go home with the win in the FEI World Cup aboard Benrose Stellar, she also went on to take out the Mana Stables FEI CSI 1* with the Australian imported Normandy GHP.
Sophie topped the table with a double clear in 46.63, comfortably ahead of the only other double clear – Kimberley Carrington and Double J Typhoon who completed their round in 49.50. Tara Gower and Riverhills Legend produced the speediest clear in the second round, flying through the flags in 45.29, but their four faults carried over from round one saw them settle for third place.
Emily Oliver and Sofia Williams started 2025 as they left the previous year, battling it out in the AMS Saddlery Grand Prix, this time locally supported by John Gilliland Memorial. Sofia flew through the timers the quickest on Buzzie Bees Max, but a single rail left them in third place. Sofia left all the rails in their cups aboard Sitarski, but her time of 38.34 was just a fraction slower than Emily on Barbie Doll RSNZ who took out the class in 38.14.
It was a great weekend for Sophia Blackbourn, not only did she take home the win in the FMG Young Rider aboard Roxette ECPH with the only clear round, she was also the coach of Sadie Medway and Kahlua Renegade who won possibly the most adorable class the world has seen, the McMillans Answer Back Cup. Elyza McDonald and De Silver Lining were also the only clear in the Main Events Tertiary Series to take out the class.
Bernard Denton and Electra NZPH were the quickest in a four fault jump off in The Brave Pants Company Pro-Am. They stopped the clock in 34.97, nearly two seconds ahead of second placed Bailey Lourie and Henton Serenade.
The Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider saw a huge thirteen combinations go forth to the jump off battlefield, where a further seven went on to jump a double clear! Nigel Horton and Mandalay Cove sped around so fast that if you blinked you’d miss them! They stopped the clock in 33.50 ahead of Jillian Watson and OhMyHolly in 34.37 in second place, and Hayley Fraser and Silverstar completing the podium in 35.12.
Tara Gower and Double J Image opened the jump off for the Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider with a speedy round of 38.26, the quickest time of the class, but one costly rail just kept them off the podium. Zara Main and Frankton ZQN were the last to go and knew exactly what they had to do…and they did it! They stopped the clock all clear in 39.81, ahead of Hannah Roil and Grassendale Xtreme in second place, and Henry Martin and Kiwi Strike in third who also jumped double clears.
Hannah went one better in the New Zealand Warmblood Association 6 Year Old Breeding Series, and jumped the sole double clear to take out the class aboard the Sharleen Workman bred Grassendale Xtreme (Corofino II x Casa Rosa MVNZ (Pico Bello).
Four combinations shared the prize money in the East Coast Performance Horse 5 Year Old Breeding Series, and it was a great day for the Double J Stud, especially their stunning stallion Double J Typhoon who had two progeny in the line up.
- McMillans Pippin & Claire Wilson. (Double J Typhoon x The Big Apple/ Corlando – bred by the rider and Clare Levin).
- The Double J stud bred Double J Loki & Samantha Carrington. (Double J Typhoon x Ophelia NZPH/ Barbarian).
- Another Double J Stud bred Double J Celine & Oliver Edgecombe. (Euro Sport Kalaska x Double J Whitney/ Double J Repicharge).
- Coruba GNZ & Julianne Revfeim (Pennsylvania x Brie/Lansing).
The NZPH & A1 Equine Reproduction 7 Year Old Breeding Series saw two enter the jump off, and what a tight contest it was. Brooke Edgecombe and Inca NZPH (Up To You x Cinnamon NZPH/ Pesetas du Rouet) were first to go and laid down a smart clear in 32.94, but their lead was short-lived, as Vicki Wilson shaved just milliseconds off it to take the win. Aboard her homebred Apollo VWNZ (Argento ST x Quiz Me VWNZ/ Euro Sport Centavos), they sped around in 32.48.
Tyler McKee & Corrida in the Property Brokers Horse Grand Prix – Photo by Kerri Back Photography
Heading way way down south, Otago Jumping hosted their Summer Championship show. While entries weren’t huge, it still provided some fantastic competition.
Tyler McKee and Corrida just took one light rail to finish on four faults over the two rounds of the Property Brokers Grand Prix and take the win. An operator in the saddle, but a man of few words…”My Horse jumped two great rounds, and the grounds were in great condition for jumping”.
Grace Roy and Blue Crush just picked up a rail in each round of the AMS Saddlery Pony Grand Prix, but that was good enough for them to ride away with the Bizzie Canoodling Trophy that was kindly presented to them by Bizzie’s former rider, Quinn Coutts.
Speaking of Quinn Coutts, he jumped the only clear round on LT Holst Harley to take out the FMG Young Rider! As did Grace Hore and Centino in the Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider.
Ashleigh Smail and PL Diamond in the Rough were the only double clear in The Brave Pants Company Pro-Am. Suzanne Black and Colton AF also contended the jump off, but 8 faults left them in second place.
Only two combinations headed into the jump off of the Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider. Jade Fitzek and Silver Hearts Legacy were the sure winners, finishing their round in 49.23. Gayle Baker and Larnaca came in second in a time of 55.06. Gayle was unlucky not to have two horses through to the jump off, just picking up a single time fault on Riverdown Rock N Roll for third place.
The TiES Futurity Series was a popular class, with three combinations jumping a double clear to complete the podium. Rebecca Bainton and the Alamosa sired Laz were the quickest to take the top spot in 36 seconds. Aiesha Goswami and the Brilliance sired Mr Doole came in second place in 38.38, and Brodie Botica and the Highly Recommended sired Bonfire Cracka stopped the clock in 41.51 for third.
The South Island Junior Amateur Series always brings some good competition. Four combinations headed into the jump off, where Jessamy Wales and TH Jasmine set the fastest time in 46.90, alas, one rail down saw them finish in third place. Amy Brenssell and Kiwi Tune were the quickest double clear in 50.05, with Anna Smith and Blytheburn Cuban Rose just behind in 51.30 for second.
For full results go to www.main-events.com & www.evoevents.co.nz
The Jumping Team – 14 January 2025