Molly Moffatt rides Lazarus GNZ. Photo by Michelle Clarke.
PROPERTY BROKERS HORSE GRAND PRIX SERIES
Winners: Molly Moffatt (Christchurch) and Lazarus GNZ
Molly Moffatt figures Lazarus GNZ – Larry to his mates – completely deserves his double Grand Prix victory.
The horse, who is owned by the Ferguson family, won both the Property Brokers Horse Grand Prix Series on top of having already secured the National Grand Prix crown.
“I really didn’t have high expectations given it was our first season at Grand Prix level, to win this is a nice way to finish it off,” says 19-year-old Molly who is her second year studying commerce at Lincoln. “I am super excited to have won this season. We have built a strong partnership over the past two seasons and have had a stellar one this year.”
Larry was started by Emma Ferguson before she headed offshore to pursue a running career.
“He’s pretty opinionated and likes things to be his way,” says Molly. “Emma did a great job bringing him through to premier young rider level. I feel very lucky to have the ride. He is a very brave horse in the ring and smart too which gives me a lot of confidence jumping those bigger heights. He always tries so hard. When we stepped up to the bigger heights earlier this season I thought they would be too big but the more he did the better he got. It is so nice to have a horse like that. I love competing him.”
The series win was as exciting for Molly as it was for Larry’s owners.
Molly is trained by her mum Amanda Brown, a former eventer, with input too from Tegan Fitzsimon, Michelle Strapp and Becky Harkerss. “Helen Ensor has been just awesome too. She helps me at shows and walks courses with me. I really appreciate her support.”
Property Brokers’ Teresa Moore says the Waikato branch is proud to be supporting the equestrian community. This is their third year sponsoring the Grand Prix.
“In the Waikato, equestrian pursuits are a mainstay and a real part of the community,” says Teresa who oversees the Cambridge branch’s lifestyle and rural departments. “When it comes to horses you need land – and that’s where we fit in. By supporting the Grand Prix series we are giving back to our community that supports us.”
She and husband Chris, who is the Waikato regional manager for Property Brokers, have a more personal connection with showjumping. Their nephew Oliver Croucher is very successful in the sport and the family have fond memories of the cousins mucking around on the farm with their ponies.
“Property Brokers is a family owned business who have always had a real philanthropic focus,” says Teresa. “They are always out there doing it with the community and being involved so each branch also takes that same stance. When you have equestrian pursuits as a hobby it is your lifestyle . . . you can never have enough horses or land can you?”
Results – Molly Moffatt (Christchurch) Lazarus GNZ 68 1, Tyler McKee (Gore ) Corrida 65 2=, Sophie Scott (Palmerston North) Normandy GHP 65 2=, Sophie Scott (Palmerston North) Benrose Stellar 50 4.
Diana Dobson
May 2025