Pieter Spencer and Redwood, winners of the Rhonda Goddard Memorial Derby, with Louise Blair, Tony Bult, Emma Goddard and Medow Stanford Soons (representing Ray Burmester Jewelry, presenting the winner with a snaffle bit bracelet) Photo by Lindy W Photography
Harley Ferguson and Golden Girl MVNZ winners of the Ray Burmester Memorial Derby. Photo by Lindy W Photography
Woodhill hosted their Waitemata Derby Grand Prix show this weekend, and it was an all round success. With 260 horses competing over the two days, the weather was on fine form when the morning fog burned off, resulting into hot and sunny days. Emma Buckingham was thrilled with how the show ran, stating that the ground conditions were perfect, which led to some great jumping. She was particularly happy with the growing numbers in the derby classes that made for some very exciting competition. You can read more about the Derby classes on their social media page, but for now, we will focus on the series classes as the last few trickle through before the season wraps up.
Emma Gillies and Benrose Black Jack Photo Supplied
Emma Gillies was a girl on fire, and certainly made her long trip to the north island worthwhile when she rode away with the winning of two series classes on Benrose Black Jack.
This stunning combination started off the show in great form by jumping the only double clear in the FMG Young Rider – locally supported by Archibald & Shorter North Shore, they went on to conclude their show with a fantastic win in the Property Brokers Grand Prix, also locally supported by Archibald & Shorter North Shore. Two made it through to the jump off where first to go, Tara Gower & Riverhills Legend set the standard with a solid clear in 48.32. Emma & Benrose Black Jack not only jumped another clear, but they also shaved over four seconds off Tara’s time to take out the class. Needless to say, Emma was thrilled with how her weekend went:
“This was our first time at Waitemata and we will definitely be back. I’m so proud of how PJ (as Benrose Black Jack if fondly known as at home) performed, he always tries his best for me and I’m so grateful to have such a special partnership with him. We were very lucky to have such great courses to jump, and competitive competition that made for great classes. After eight weeks on the road, we are heading to the last show at Series Finals in Taupo, after that we will head home to give the horses a well-deserved break. I wouldn’t be able to do this without my family who keep everything running both at home and at shows”.
Lottie Bull was another young lady to have a show to remember, she took out the quinella in the AMS Saddlery Pony Grand Prix – locally supported by Rhodes Family – with the only two double clears in a three pony jump off. TCG Centadel was the fastest of the two in 48.56, with Rascal Flats OS finishing just behind in 50.80.
The Brave Pants Company Pro Am – locally supported by Co Pilot – saw a small field come forward with two competitors managing a double clear. Paula Mussen & Deja Vu NZPH just edged out Catherine Burden & Breakthrough to take the win, with less than a second between them.
The Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider – locally supported by Groom & Gallop was a thrilling watch, with eleven combinations heading into the battlefield where a further eight went on to jump another flawless round. Zara Main & Frankton ZQN were the fastest in 36.51 which would also secure them some valuable points to hold them in a great spot on the series leaderboard as we head to the finale. Bailey Benshaw & Amorcito finished second in a time of 37.15, and Emma Gillies kept up her good form with a tidy third place on Grandeur ECPH in 38.26.
Susan Le Mesurier & My Talisman gave the Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider -locally supported by Kristin Manson – their best shot, with the winning time of 41.49, but with one rail falling, they had to settle for second with the win going to Tara Sullivan & Goshka Enchante who jumped a double clear in 42.12.
Wairarapa Showjumping hosted the Glistening Waters Trust House Show at the beautiful Solway Oval in Masterton. Sophie Scott carried on her winning form that she’s shown all season, this time with the younger member of her team -and her Lady Rider of the Year mount, Normandy GHP taking the win in the Property Brokers Grand Prix with the only clear. She also took the quinella with Benrose Stellar picking up just four faults for second place.
Emily Oliver was victorious on Doctor Jones in the AMS Saddlery Pony Grand Prix, they jumped the only double clear in a two way jump off. Molly Presling & Cee Cee picked up second place.
Whilst Chloe Armstrong & Lakota were the only ones to jump a clear for the win in the FMG Young Rider, double clears came in hot in the following classes.
Laura Knight & Sentosa were the comfortable winners of the Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider, they stopped the clock in 39.86, a few seconds ahead of Mandy Illston & her 6 Year Old Horse of the Year winning mount, Glenara C-Star in 43.02.
The Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider saw seven competitors go head to head in the jump off, where four went on to jump a double clear. Henry Martin & Kiwi Strike flew through the flags in 40.96 to take the win, ahead of Sofia Williams & Off The Cuff in 42.97 for second, and Chloe Armstrong & Pythis completing the podium in 45.35.
In the young horse classes, Tylah Amrein & Oliver Edgecombe shared the prize pool in the East Coast Performance Horses 5 Year Olds. Tylah aboard Double J Phyliss (Double J Typhoon x Irish Mac/ Omnicorp), and Oliver in the saddle of the Tom McDermott bred Carlo1 (Clarimo x Laguna Beach/ Lord Pezi).
The NZ Warmblood Association 6 Year Olds just saw the one double clear with Johanna Wylaars & Demietta (Daminos x Octavia Queen/ Don Quattro – bred by Lily Sutherland).
The NZPH & A1 Equine Reproduction 7 Year Olds just saw a couple of starters, of which Johanna Wylaars continued her winning streak with four faults being good enough to finish at the top of the podium. This time she was aboard the Amberley House bred AH California Dreaming (Euro Sports Centavos x Lilliana/ Littorio).
For full results, go to www.evoevents.co.nz
24 March 2025