The Wairarapa Jumping Group held their annual Glistening Waters Championships which paid in dividends for Sofia Williams, who picked up yet another red ribbon in the Property Brokers Grand Prix, to slide her nicely back on top of the series leaderboard as we approach the pointy end of the season. Both Sofia, riding Grassendale Enzo, and Robert Steele aboard Rosehill Park Hermes picked up one time fault around the Warren Ives designed track, but sadly one rail also fell for Bob and Hermes, giving the win to Sofia and Enzo who left all the jumps standing.

 

Sofia Williams rides Grassendale Enzo. Photo Credit to Michelle Clarke Photography.

 

The tussle for the top spot of the AMS Saddlery Pony Grand Prix has been a continuing theme between Daniella Jelliman and Lottie Bull this season, with the tension increasing as we get closer to Series Finals. Daniella is currently sitting at the top of the Series leaderboard, but Lottie is hot on her heals. This weekend, both girls added more points to their total with Daniella picking up the win on Tallyho Scoundrel, and Lottie coming in second and third place aboard TCG Centadel and Rascal Flatts OS respectively.  

 

Two young ladies faced off in the FMG Young Rider jump off, where they both dropped one rail. Riding Henton Serenade,  Emily Oliver was the fastest of the two and took the win in 47.21, Chloe Armstrong rode Benrose Casino ECPH through the flags in 49.87 for second place.

 

New mum Nakeysha Lammers is straight back to her winning ways, riding Flamenco she finished on top in The Brave Pants Pro Am. All three that contended the jump off produced a double clear, Nakeysha stopped the clock in 40.69, ahead of Katharine Coleman and Double J Sunshine, whose time of 41.19 was good enough for second place. Simone McConnell came in third on Chicago LS.

 

John MacLennan headed a four way jump off in the Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider, riding his good mate Tolley for a quick double clear. She’s a champion jockey on the racetrack, and it’s great to see her return to jumping some coloured sticks – Katie Hercock rode EB Contigo to second place and Kristin Robinson came in third on Belle Amour.

 

Henry Martin smoked around the Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider to top a speedy jump off that six combinations tackled. Riding Kiwi Strike, Henry went through the flags in 35.05, exactly a second quicker than Hannah Roil who came in second on Grassendale Xtreme. Hannah McConnell rounded out the podium riding ME KD’s Affair.

It was her show to be a bridesmaid, as Hannah Roil also finished up in second place in the NZPH Seven Year Old Breeding Series, again riding her lovely Grassendale Xtreme (Corofino II x Casa Rosa MVNZ/ Pico Bello, bred by Sharleen Workman). Maurice Beatson took out the class, riding LV Ellie (Elkintot x Black Grace/ Postponed, bred by Little Valley Farm) for the only clear.

 

Three young stars shared the prize pool in the East Coast Performance Five Year Old Breeding Series:

  • Karen Patrick riding the Double J Stud bred Double J Williamsburg (Double J Typhoon x Double J Winnie/ Bismark)
  • Ike Baker riding his homebred Talulah (Cicave du Talus x Rahphaella/ Rhodinger)
  • Lucy Fell riding her homebred Away Laughing (Eden du Rouet x Enja MVNZ/ Cassini II)

 

Jessica Jumps for Joy

It was quite the weekend for Jessica Hore down in Southland when she not only won the FMG Young Rider, but also the Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider. She may have only had the course to beat in both classes, but beat them she did with a stunning clear round on Beaumont Cassanova in the Young Rider, and Diva Contina PJ in the Junior Rider.

 

Jessica Hore and Beaumont Cassanova. Photo Credit to Michelle Clarke Photography.

 

The Brave Pants Pro Am saw three qualify for the jump off, with the top two putting down a second clear. Ashleigh Smail topped the leaderboard on PL Diamond in the Rough with a time of 43.23, Cherie Cournane wasn’t too far behind on MF Lexicon with their time of 45.25 for second place. Lauren Buckley and Valrhona GNZ were first out in the jump off and gave it their all, they snagged the fastest time of the class, but a couple of rails on the floor relegated them to third place.

 

Jackie Wear rode Zola CSNZ to victory in the Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider with the only double clear, Jacquita Warren also made it through to the jump off aboard Macaroon, finishing with a total of eight faults for second place.

 

3 March 2026

The Jumping Team