Laura Inkster rides Rodrigo MVNZ at Woodhill Sands in the Property Brokers Grand Prix Photo By Lindy W Photography.
Whilst the South Island hosted the National Championships in the weekend just past, there were a flurry of shows over the North Island that saw competitors battle it out for series points. Starting at the top, Woodhill Sands hosted the Veterinary Associates Equine Auckland Show that, as always, brought some fantastic competition.
“It was an incredibly hot weekend for our show-jumpers at the Veterinary Associates Grand Prix Show Jumping event. Despite the sweltering heat, the competition was fierce, with just over 350 horses competing across both Show Jumping and Show Hunter disciplines in four separate rings. This event marked the final of our season-long series, and what a thrilling conclusion it was!
We witnessed some outstanding performances throughout the season, but in the end, the Horse Super Series was claimed by Natalia Lammers aboard Puro Crystallo, while the Pony Super Series was won by Adison Hall riding Flaxhill La Rocco.
The Pony Futurity Series went right down to the wire In the end, the rug was awarded to Kaitlin Barendregt, who rode Toffee Deluxe. Our Masters division saw the win go to Garry Christensen and 24 Carat KMH.
We would like to extend a massive thank you to our incredible sponsors, judges, officials, ring crew, competitors, and volunteers for their hard work and dedication in making the show a success. A special shout out to Beka, Tess, and Louise in the office for keeping everything running smoothly, as well as Jenette, who was ringside all weekend presenting the series awards with a smile.
Looking ahead, we are excited to do it all again in just three weeks’ time, and we can’t wait to see all the familiar faces back at the event. Thank you again to everyone who made this weekend possible, and we hope to see you there for another fantastic competition!”
As well as Woodhill’s Super Series, the ESNZ Series classes also brought some thrilling competition to the spectators, with plenty of clears and exciting jump offs.
Laura Inkster & Rodrigo MVNZ won yet another Property Brokers Grand Prix – this time locally supported by GJ Gardner Homes. This highly consistent combination jumped the only clear to secure their fourth Grand Prix win. “It’s been so good to jump on the awesome grass arena at Woodhill over the weekend and I am so pleased to win another Grand Prix on Basil, it’s his first season jumping at this level and he has really impressed us! Huge thanks so Woodhill Sands sponsors and volunteers. Also, to Mike and Carissa McCall and my family for all their support”
Zaria Johnston & HD Obsession put just four faults on the board to solidify the AMS Saddlery Pony Grand Prix win – locally supported by Shelley Bridgeman – despite being the only combination to come forward.
Aimee Collinson topped a fierce jump off in the FMG Young Rider – locally supported by GJ Gardner Homes – where six combinations went through to the second round, with a further three going on to produce a second clear round. Aimee expertly guided the tricky Be Mine NZPH around the shortened course in 37.96, finishing ahead of Aliya Berry & Neo in 39.13 and Meya Hegh & Corfu in 41.57.
Competitors in The Brave Pants Company Pro Am – locally supported by Fiber Fresh – also put on a show, with seven out of the nine in the jump off going double clear. Sandra Stanford & El Vira were the quickest in 40.20, with Jesse Linton & Carado GHP coming just behind in 40.82. Vicki Ridley & Mosaic II rounded out the podium with their time of 42.87.
Matisse Masterson & Jay-Z GNZ were the clear winners in the Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider – locally supported by Inkster Landscapes – they flew through the flags in 44 seconds flat to top the five-horse jump off. Stacey Brown & Catraz KSNZ finished in 47.13 and Matt Taylor & Kiwi Windfall rounded out the double clears in 48.55 for third place.
Two combinations kept a totally clean slate in the Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider – locally supported by Veterinary Associates Equine. Cindy Page & Crispr Caz Nine were the fastest of these, with Kate Ormond & Ngahiwi Gruffalo coming in second.
Heading across the island, Te Teko hosted their Eastern Bay Show. The AMS Saddlery Pony Grand Prix was won on a sole clear round from Isobel Jayne Bevitt & Mangatu Solar Eclipse, and the Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider saw Coco Fougere & The Boss jump the only double clear for the win in 51.09. Karena Murray & Rebel Alliance had a much faster time of 40.70, but when one rail tumbled to the ground, it dashed her hopes of taking out the class.
Both combinations that came forward for the jump off in The Brave Pants Company Pro Am took one rail, so it came down to time, where Kate Wynyard & Classic Encounter were quick enough for the win. They finished in 47.80, just ahead of Aleisha Bradley & Centia in 51.52.
The Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider was so fast and furious, Vin Diesel would have been proud! Eleven combinations went through to battle it out over the shortened course, where a whopping ten combinations jumped another clear. Lucy Dalley was the queen of speed, finishing in a time of 35.67 on Ngahiwi Prince.
Fraser Babbington was the only double clear in the East Coast Performance Horses 5 Year Old Breeding Series. Riding the Dicki Waitoa bred HCPH Blinky Bill (Doc Holliday x Marble/Dundee), he took home the whole prize pot.
In the NZ Warmblood Association 6 year old Breeding Series Fraser Babbington again ruled delivering the only clear, this time on the Bini Newsom bred Glastonbury MSNZ (Glasgow VDL x Petal/Lansing).
Vicki Prendergast & her homebred Stiletto C (Cohinoor VDL x Sofee/ Powerfee) proved once again why they are the National Young Horse 7 Year Old Champions when they took out the NZPH & A1 Equine Reproduction 7 Year Old Breeding Series. Despite being the only ones to take on the course, a solid four fault round cemented their win.
In the lower North Island, Dannevirke held their annual A&P show where Sophie Scott continued her good form by taking out the Property Brokers Grand Prix. Riding Normandy GHP, she went double clear in 42.60 ahead of the NZ FEI World Cup Series Winners, Julie Davey & LT Holst Freda, who also jumped double clear in 44.26.
The AMS Saddlery Pony Grand Prix also saw two double clears, of which Lottie Bull & Rascal Flats OS were the quickest in 43.08, with Isla Bowley & Foxdens Merlot coming in just behind in 44.45.
Vigo Pedersen & Royal Wish picked up a nice win in the FMG Young Rider with Penny Borthwick & Nikama MVNZ coming in second, they were the only two to jump a double clear in a four way jump off.
The Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider also saw two double clears, with Hayley Fraser & Silverstar finishing over five seconds clear of second placed Annabelle Gourlie & Arlo II.
Three contested the Main-Events Tertiary Challenge where all picked up just four faults. Eliza McDonald & De Silver Lining were the quickest to take the win.
Clear rounds came in force in the Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider with seven combinations heading into the jump off, and six of those jumping a double clear. Ella Rouse & Halo were the fastest through the flags on 39.43, with Chloe Armstrong & Pythia coming in second in 40.43 and Leah Harrie & Kaipara Hold Up rounding out the podium in 40.80.
The Brave Pants Company Pro Am went the way of Siobhan Ryan & Freehold who stopped the clock in 41.59, with Muzi James & On The Cards and Brigitte Smith & HR Lanardo picking up second place in 44.42 and third in 45.55 respectively.
It was a great weekend for Muzi James who has recently returned home from a spell in the UK – picking up a new surname along the way! She went on to win the NZPH & A1 Equine Reproduction 7 Year Old Breeding Series – also on the Rebecca McPhail bred and Pottinger Family owned On The Cards (Ngahiwi Cardento x Sicily/Volksraad) – who looks like a very promising prospect for the future, with the only double clear.
Julie Davey has another star amongst her team in the Ewen Macintosh bred LT Host Elle Star (Big Star x LT Holst Carla/ Calato). They jumped a lovely double clear in the New Zealand Warmblood Association 6 Year Old Breeding Series to take home the win.
Oliver Edgecombe & Claire Wilson shared the prize pool in the East Coast Performance Horses 5 Year Old Series with their double clears. Oliver was riding the Tom McDermott bred Carlo 1 (Clarimo x Laguna Beach/Lord Pezi), and Claire aboard the Kahu Piripi bred McMillans Rhubarb (Studley x Tip/ Flags).
Jumping Team
7 February 2025
For full results go to www.evoevents.co.nz and www.main-events.com