Robert Steele rides Rosehill Park Hermes. Photo by Denise Flay
News around the shows 8-9 February:
Taihape hosted their 66th Annual Showjumping Championships, and what a weekend it was, especially for Robert Steele who rode away with the Property Brokers Grand Prix title. Riding Rosehill Park Hermes, he jumped the only clear to be the outright winner.
The AMS Saddlery Pony Grand Prix saw a bit more excitement, with three combinations going into the jump off, with all three jumping another clear, leaving it all up to the clock to decide the winner. Regan Calder & TRS Sniper came in hot with a time of 40.13 that could not be bettered. Lottie Bull & Rascal Flatts OS came in just behind in 41.16, with Vienna Wilson & Showtym Boss rounding out the podium in 43.93.
The FMG Young Rider also brought another exciting jump off to the spectators with three combinations also going double clear from a six horse jump off. Tara Gower & Riverhills Legend stopped the timers nearly seven seconds quicker than Charlotte Scott who picked up second place with Double J Wilbur, and Henry Martin & Kiwi Strike came in just behind for third. In a similar fashion, the NZTR TiES Futurity Series had seven go through to the second round, with three going double clear. Megan Weir & the Roc de Cambes sired Stellify were just slightly quicker in 35.03 than Zara Sutton & I Can Try in 35.84. Louise Mulholland & Sans Le Sou finished in 46.63 for third.
Kate Wynyard & Classic Encounter secured the win in The Brave Pants Company Pro-Am with the only double clear. They stopped the clock in 49.12. Both Nicholas O’Leary (Two Eye See) and Bailey Lourie (Henton Serenade) posted a faster time, but with one rail falling for both, they had to settle for second and third place respectively.
The Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider was a competitive class, as it often is. This time, eight combinations entered the battlefield that is the jump off, with five going on to jump a double clear. Jillian Watson & OhMyHolly racked up another win in a convincing time of 44.88. Kate Ramsey & Lady Bug finished in 47.36 for second, and Laura Knight & Sentosa in 50.18 for third.
The Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider also saw a flurry of clears, with six heading into the jump off. Three went on to jump another clear round to complete the podium where the times were tight. Charlotte Armstrong & Pythia were the quickest in 48.43, with Leah Harrie & Kaipara Hold Up and Viggo Pedersen & Tribesmen’s Warrior battling it out for second and third place. They finished the shortened course in 49.08 and 49.90 respectively.
Three four falters faced the jump off of the NZPH & A1 Equine Reproduction 7 Year Olds where all three left every rail standing. Brooke Edgecombe was the fastest to finish at the top of the table with Inca NZPH (Up To You x Cinnamon NZPH/ Pesetas du Rouet).
The East Coast Performance Horses 5 Year Old’s saw two lovely young horses complete two clear rounds. Maurice Beatson & his homebred Centron (Centarion x Ironmain/Wishing Well) and Ally Carson & The Garrison (One Eye x Jessie/Gin – bred by Warwick Tombleson).
Across the Cook Strait, Marlborough Area Jumping hosted their Waitangi Weekend Show, and it was Emma Gillies that was victorious in the FMG Young Rider – locally supported by Ashwood Lifecare 2013 Ltd. In the saddle of Benrose Black Jack, she flew through the flags in 36.18, just ahead of North Islander Charlotte Conder & Kiwi Bonus in 38.17, with both jumping double clear.
Double J Sunshine must be loving life in the South Island, as he picked up another win in The Brave Pants Company Pro Am for his long-term owner, Katharine Coleman. They stopped the timers in 37.22 with the only other double clear coming from Angela Frewer & Lansina who were slightly slower in 43.84.
The Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider – locally supported by TC Nicholls Ltd was won on a sole double clear from Mitchell Cowan & My Centastage, as was the Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider, that saw Jeremy Clark & Dynavyte Cancion HSH finish in the top spot, making their long trip from the North Island well worth it.
The AMS Pony Grand Prix saw Buzzie Bees Max ridden by Sofia Williams securing the win with a double clear, while Mitchell Cowan and Springvale Tama settled for second place after incurring 4 faults in the first round of the two-round competition.
The NZ Warmblood Association Six-Year-Old Breeding Series saw Georgina Dormer deliver win with a double clear on Volante MVNZ (Diarado x Contessa LVP/Contender). In the East Coast Performance Horses Five-Year-Old Breeding Series both Cassafino Xtreme & Harry Feast, and Larnaca & Gayle Baker had 4 faults a piece and shared first prize.
17 February 2025
For full results go to www.evoevents.co.nz