Woodhill Sands hosted their second show of the season with the Fiber Fresh Grand Prix Show. Whilst it proved to be a typical spring weekend, with all possible weather thrown at them, many competitors, officials, and volunteers braved the elements and saw some fierce competition coming out of the series classes.
Matt Taylor & Starlight Dalaman on track to winning the FMG Young Rider – Photo credit to Lindy Waijenberg.
Matt Taylor jumped the only double clear in the FMG Young Rider – locally supported by Fiber Fresh – on Starlight Dalaman, to give them their first maximum series points on the board. A young lady in flying form is Maddison Greatorex who backed up the previous shows win by yet again taking out The Brave Pants Company Pro Am – locally supported by GJ Gardner Homes. Just like the last show, Laura McGregor & Pure Expression had to settle for second place as Maddison & Ronaldo GS stopped the timers nearly six seconds quicker to take out the class.
Maddison Greatorex & Ronaldo GS winning The Brave Pants Company Pro-Am. Photo credit to Lindy Waijenberg.
It’s probably not a great surprise that young Cruze Du Plessis has perfected the art of winning, being the son of the champion jockey, Mark Du Plessis and competitive showjumper, Vicki Ridley. Cruze is also the current Pony Scurry champion and this weekend, he tucked another win under his belt in the Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider – locally supported by Veterinary Associates Equine. Taking over the reins of his mum’s usual ride, Mosaic II, this delightful combination jumped the only double clear. Fun fact, Cruze was the youngest rider in the class, and Mosaic II was the oldest horse! Isabelle Hawkins & Haupouri Da Vinci NZPH certainly gave it a crack in the jump off and sped around the course in a blistering time that would have been good enough for the win, but sadly one rail fell to the floor, leaving them in second place.
Cruze Du Plessis & Mosaic II flying high for the win in the Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider. Photo credit to Lindy Waijenberg.
Pats all round for Mosaic II, after the winning round from Cruze Du Plessis in the Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider. Photo credit to Lindy Waijenberg.
At the last show, Ashley Johnston & BMW Chaccodaizie had the fastest time in the Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider, locally supported by Shelley Bridgeman, but four faults relegated them to fifth place. This week they came back with vengeance, and their double clear in a smart time of 35.91 saw them top the table. Belinda George (Too Tango) and Sandra Stanford (El Vira) also jumped a double clear, with Belinda’s time of 37.87 just edging out Sandra (38.12) for second place.
Ashley Johnston & BMW Chaccodaizie were clear and fast for the win in the Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider. Photo credit to Lindy Waijenberg.
For full results, go to www.evoevents.co.nz
8th September 2025
The Jumping Team