Starlight Django, ridden by Isabelle Whatley, Hawkes Bay A&P Show, October 25, 2024 Copyright Photo: KAMPIC / Kerry Marshall
Feilding hosted their annual February show where Maurice Beatson came in hot. Whilst it was definitely not his first Property Brokers Grand Prix win, having won well over two hundred, it was the first win at this level for his mount, Starlight Django. This twelve-year-old gelding has been owned and produced by Issie Wyse since 2021 who has only recently passed the reins over to Maurice.
“We purchased Django in 2021 as my second-string horse to my GP mare, Villarrica. We carefully produced him over the years to 130/135cm. Our plan was to step him up this season and aim for Lady Rider at Hoy. Django is an exceptionally talented horse who needed the time at the lower levels before he was stepped up, as he is quite careful. He has been an absolute treasure as he tries his hardest and is genuinely very sweet all round.
Due to my health, I had to stop riding at the start of November 2024, and all of the team was turned out until just after Christmas.
Maurice took over the ride at the end of January, and their first show together was Dannevirke A&P. At Taihape last weekend, he jumped a tidy double clear in the Mini Prix but finished just outside of the placings in an incredibly competitive class.
Feilding was their third show together, and he has come on in leaps and bounds under Maurice’s expertise. They had their first Grand Prix start together and secured the win and Django’s first ribbon at this level!
Django is heading off to Takapoto this week for some more mileage ahead of Horse of the Year.”
Sofia Williams & Buzzie Bees Max looked to be adding another AMS Saddlery Pony Grand Prix title to their accolades when they zoomed around for the fastest time, but when one rail fell to the ground, the door was left wide open for Daniella Jelliman & Korokipo Kid whose steady double clear nailed the win.
The Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider also saw some speedy rounds with Henry Martin & Kiwi Strike and Ella Easton & A+P Firenze completing the shortened course in 43.27 and 48.74 respectively. But alas, with one rail dropping to the dirt for both, it was Chloe Armstrong and Pythia’s stunning double clear that saw them finish in the top spot.
Sole clears were the theme for the rest of the series classes, Nicholas O’Leary & Two Eye See took out The Brave Pants Company Pro Am, Hayley Fraser & Silverstar won the Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider, and Hollie Falloon & Just Jessie led the victory lap in the FMG Young Rider.
Auckland Showjumping hosted their February show at the Pukekohe A&P Show where Zaria Johnston & HD Obsession took out the AMS Saddlery Pony Grand Prix, just picking up a rail in each round. Olivia Smellie & KFL Zanzibar joined them in the jump off but the eight faults they picked up along the way saw them finishing in second place.
Catherine Burden & Breakthrough jumped the only clear in The Brave Pants Company Pro Am – loyally supported by Co Pilot Equine – and Mia Gilbert & Schnapps MH jumped the only double clear in the FMG Young Rider, with Emily Ramsden & Euro Champagne stopping the clock in a quicker time, but four faults relegated them to second spot.
The Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider – locally supported by Fence Works – saw four combinations come into the jump off, two of which went on to jump another clear round, the fastest of those was Zara Main & Frankton ZQN.
As they often do, the Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider’s put on a show. Seven combinations entered the battlefield that is the jump off, where just three put down another clear. Kate Ormond & Ngahiwi Gruffalo were the quickest of the lot to take out the class.
Many South Islanders flocked to the Southland Circuit Show, and it was a good trip for Tyler McKee & Corrida who rode away with the Property Brokers Grand Prix winner’s ribbon. Just picking up four faults in the first round was good enough to award them the maximum series points.
The Brave Pants Company Pro Am went the way of Kimberleigh McCabe & Prince of Brooks who jumped the only double clear, as did the South Island Junior Amateur Rider Series for Amy Brenssell & Kiwi Tune who were the only ones to leave all the rails standing.
Two battled it out in the Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider Jump Off, and boy oh boy were those times tight! Margaret Ridley & Rockfort stopped the clock in 42.80, with Lana Stevens & Silk Road just behind in 43 seconds dead.
Time played a huge part in the Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider, where clears were scarce. Kendra van Leeuwen & Cuba Cuba’s four fault round was good enough for the win. Jessica Hore & Global PH Mylorde also picked up just the four faults, but adding a single time fault to their total left them in second place.
For full results, go to www.evoevents.co.nz and www.main-events.com.
18 February 2025