Another weekend that brought us some great competition, mixed with some rain, hail and a little sunshine.
Woodhill hosted their Fiber Fresh Spring Grand Prix Show that saw “some inclement weather on Saturday, while Sunday’s promise of showers faded for a good day of jumping in the sun.”
Edward Bullock rides Kiwi Sundance to victory in the Property Brokers Horse Grand Prix. Photo Credit to Lindy W Photography.
Course builder Edward Bullock had a dream start to his season with a win in the Property Brokers Grand Prix, locally supported by Fiber Fresh. It was a small field with only the two starters, but a solid clear from Edward, in the saddle of Kiwi Sundance guaranteed him the win with Tyla Hackett and Global PH Cocofino just dropping the one rail.
Harley Ferguson and Golden Girl MVNZ on their way to winning the FMG Young Rider. Photo Credit to Lindy W Photography.
The FMG Young Rider, locally sponsored by GJ Gardner Homes, saw a string of clears with five combinations going in to the jump off, four of which jumped another clear. The fastest of these was Golden Girl MVNZ in the capable hands of Harley Ferguson, who went through the finish flags in 34.55. Stopping the timers in 36.81 for second place was Sophia Maud riding Oaks Centurian, and completing the podium in a time of 37.31 was Cavalli Vista Coachella ridden by Pipi Cornish.
Michelle Wakeling and BMW Chaccolilli win The Brave Pants Company Pro Am. Photo Credit to Lindy W Photography.
Another class that brought a flurry of clears was The Brave Pants Company Pro Am, locally supported by Fiber Fresh. With four combinations going double clear, it was a race to claim those precious series points. Michelle Wakeling is no stranger to speed, she guided BMW Chaccolilli around the shortened course in a time of 35.83 to take a convincing win, finishing with nearly two seconds to spare. Kristi Salonius and MF Starbound picked up second place with their time of 37.77, and Maddison Greatorex filled the next two spots on her two mounts. She was third on her nominated ride, Ronaldo GS in 40.70, and fourth on Connoray in 44.22.
Belinda George and Too Tango were victorious in the Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider. Photo Credit to Lindy W Photography.
The Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider, locally supported by GJ Gardner Homes brought yet another thrilling jump-off to the spectators with nearly half the field heading into the second round, and four of those producing a double clear. It was Belinda George’s day, as she galloped through the flags on Too Tango in 33.68, a time that could not be bettered. Tessa Ranger riding Dakarra WHS came in second place in 36.11, and Jacob Thompson filled third and fourth place riding Kanyon T and Waitangi Vista respectively.
Nicole Collier wins the Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider on Cassidina. Photo Credit to Lindy W Photography.
The Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider, locally supported by Veterinary Associates Equine closed out the series classes with a bang. Once again, five headed into the jump-off, with double clears coming from two. Fresh from her win at last week’s Rotorua Show, Nicole Collier kept up her flying form as she flew through the timers on Cassidina in a speedy time of 33.72 to take home maximum points. Second place went to Olivia Tongue riding BMW Icebreaker who stopped the clock in 37.39.
Sarah West and Six Sixty SP win the Shelley Bridgeman Horse Super Series. Photo Credit to Lindy W Photography.
Stella O’Byrne and Sparkling Secrets Untold won the Fiber Fresh Pony Super Series and Sarah West won the Shelley Bridgeman Horse Super Series riding Six Sixty SP.
Stella O’Bryne & Sparkling Secrets Untold in the Fiber Fresh Pony Super Series. Credit to Lindy W Photography
The Woodhill team say a “big thanks to the riders for lots of great comments about the courses, designed by Danielle Watts, Edward Bullock and Wayne Bragg, who always do such good work for the venue. A massive thank you to all our great judges, officials, volunteers and workers for their tireless work at these shows. See you all in two weeks for the Woodhill Group Grand Prix Show.”
SCNO Battles the Elements.
Down in the South Island, SCNO’s Spring has Sprung show was hit with some pretty harsh weather, but a little bit – or a lot- of rain and wind didn’t stop the party.
Whilst only two riders stepped up to face the elements and contest the FMG Young Rider, locally supported by River Gorge Cottages, they put on a display with both jumping a double clear. Quinn Coutts was the clear winner, in the saddle of LT Holst Harley, they stopped the clock in 42.12, nearly four seconds ahead of second placed Summer Borrie riding Pure Cascade.
Sonia McKercher guided Riverhills Bayliner around the Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider, locally supported by PL Performance Horses, in the driving rain, to jump the only clear for the win.
Sonia McKercher battles the elements on Riverhills Bayliner to win the Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider. Photo Credit to Michelle Clarke Photography.
The Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider and The Brave Pants Company Pro Am, locally sponsored by FIL, also saw just the one clear round. Jessica Hore won the Junior Rider on Beaumont Cassanova, and Hayley Curd rode My Miranda to victory in the Pro Am.
Well done to the SCNO committee and all the riders, officials and volunteers for hosting a successful show despite the weather Gods throwing everything at you!
8 October 2025
The Jumping Team.