In true Dannevirke fashion, the Alabaster Contracting World Cup Show brought soaring temperatures accompanied with gusty winds, but that didn’t stop the three days providing some top quality jumping.
The Mana Stables FEI CSI1* was a fantastic class with an exciting second round. Logan Massie jumped a slick clear on Bravado Ego Z, stopping the clock in 53.72. A smart time that looked hard to beat – that was until Sophie Scott entered the arena. Last to go and in the saddle of her faithful mate, Waitangi Skynet, she left nothing out there! She was quick across the ground and kept every turn tight and as she flew through the finish flags, the clock stopped in 49.60, shaving over four seconds off Logan’s time! Sophie also finished in third place on Equine America LT Holst Eloquent, also jumping a double clear in 55.23.
The win of the NZPH Seven Year Old Breeding Series went the way of the Dannevirke local, and all time New Zealand great, Maurice Beatson. Riding LV Ellie (Elkintot x Black Grace/Postponed, bred by Little Valley Farm), he completed his round with just one rail down. Hannah Roil also suffered the same fate in the saddle of Grassendale Xtreme (Corofino II x Casa Rosa MVNZ/ Pico Bello, bred by Sharleen Workman), but adding a further time fault to their total prevented a jump off and saw them finish in second place.
Maurice Beatson rides LV Ellie to win the NZPH Seven Year Old Breeding Series. Copyright Photo: KAMPIC / Kerry Marshall
Sofia Williams and Grassendale Enzo added another win to their tally, this time in the FMG Young Rider, locally supported by East Coast Performance Horses. Four contested the jump off, with three putting down a double clear of which Sofia and Enzo were the fastest. Emily Oliver rode Henton Serenade into second place, and Chloe Armstrong rounded out the podium with Benrose Casino ECPH.
Three combinations battled it out for the win in The Brave Pants Company Pro Am, locally supported by East Coast Performance Horses, jump off, and in the end it was slow and steady that won the race. Anna Stephen collected just the one time fault on Can’t Tell GC, that saw her take out the class. Lucy Fell and Faratona STS were their usually speedy selves, but a couple of rails falling saw them finish in second place. Vania Mason and Lamondo GNZ rounded out the podium in third place.
The Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider, locally supported by Stitch Me, saw a flurry of clears with all three combinations in the jump off going double clear. The times were tight which made it all the more exciting, and it was Paris Karl-Fields riding Wicked Mr Fox who came out on top, stopping the clock in 43.07. Josh Adamson wasn’t far behind in 43.26, to pick up second place on Her Silver Lining, and John Maclennan rode Tolley to third place with their time of 45.23.
Matisse Masterson won the Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider on Jay-Z GNZ when they jumped the only double clear. Hannah McConnell had to settle for second place on ME KD’s Affair after they picked up four faults in the jump off.
Regan Calder had a great win in the AMS Saddlery Pony Grand Prix. She jumped the only double clear on TRS Sniper to finish ahead of Daniella Jelliman riding Tallyho Scoundrel who just had the one rail down in the jump off. Lottie Bull aboard TCG Centadel were the fastest four faulter in the first round to finish in third place.
The future stars of the sport really shone through in the East Coast Performance Horses Five Year Old Breeding Series, with five combinations jumping a double clear for equal first place.
- Vicki Prendergast on both her rides, her homebred Salvador C (Carrera VDL x Sofee/Powerfee) and Cardinal ECPH (Carrera VDL x Zapata ECPH/ Zirocco Blue VDL) whom she owns in partnership with the breeders, East Coast Performance Horses.
- Luce Williams on Jingo ECPH,( Jardonnay VDL x Cincinnati ECPH/Cassiano, bred by East Coast Performance Horses).
- Hollie Falloon on GC Richie (Euro Sport Darco Oblensky x Carrie SP/ Corofino II, bred by Heather Richie and Anna Stevens) .
- Tara Gower on Riverhills Double Diamond (Double Whoopy x Destiny/ Ranfurly, bred by Sue Gower).
Two combinations shared the victory in the New Zealand Warmblood Association Six Year Old Breeding Series, locally supported by Kent Myers Progressive Livestock. Ally Carson riding The Garrison (Ngahiwi One Eye x Jessie/Gin, bred by Warwick Tombleson), and Logan Massie riding Cumulus ECPH (Carrera VDL x Delage ECPH/ Dallas VDL, bred by East Coast Performance Horses).
Georgia McAree rides Little Explorer in the Answer Back Cup. Copyright Photo: KAMPIC / Kerry Marshall
Little riders on their superstar ponies stole the show on Saturday afternoon in the crowd favourite Answer Back Cup. The Answer Back Cup is the brainchild of Claire Wilson, appropriately named after her former World Cup horse, Answer Back, and is open to riders aged ten and under, who are each mentored by an older rider as they tackle a 40cm course that is judged on style. Georgia McAree riding Little Explorer were crowned this year’s champions, mentored by Adison Hall. Darcy Robertson riding Ashton Fairytale were second, mentored by Sofia Williams, and Ginny Rayner riding Montello Xmas Comet were third, mentored by Mia Gilbert.
Georgia McAree and Little Explorer win the 2026 Answer Back Cup, mentored by Adison Hall. Copyright Photo: KAMPIC / Kerry Marshall
Here’s what Claire Wilson had to say about the class:
“The 12th annual Answer Back Cup was held in the main ring and profiled the next generation of Jumping riders. Each competitor was paired with a top level mentor who helped them with the course walk, warm up and handling the atmosphere. We were delighted to have special guest Molly Presling judging, along with Sonia McKay from the sponsors, McMillans Equine. Taranaki rider, Georgia McAree and Little Explorer were crowned the 2026 ABC Champions, mentored by Adi Hall”.
For full results, go to:
14 January 2026
The Jumping Team