There was some great jumping and close competition on the first day of the Tavendale & Partners New Zealand National Show jumping and show hunter Championship at the National Equestrian Centre at McLeans Island, Christchurch.
The first rounds of the five-round championship classes were against the clock, where clear and fast rounds were vital. The champions are not decided until the finals day on Sunday, but getting a good result in each round is vital.
Getting the best of starts in the top pony class was West Coast’s Ella Rae-Wood on her trusty grey, Tallyho Primrose. “She jumped great,” said Ella after the speedy round in a time of 67.41. “This is about my fourth season on her, and now we are at Grand Prix level, she is jumping well. It is only the first day though, and hopefully she brings out her best in the next rounds. She lost a shoe in one of the doubles, but she is such a trier, she still jumped great.” Finishing second in the class, also jumping clear but with a time of 68.75 was Emma Gillies on Benrose Playtime and her sister Samantha was third on Junior Disco with a time of 71.82.
The main event for the horses was the Wilcox Perlas Potatoes NZ National Grand Prix Championship which is part of the Equissage Horse Grand Prix Series. This class has been combined with the Premier horse class due to last minute withdrawals in the Premier class. Wellington’s Sophie Scott riding Lakota was the winner of the first round with a very fast clear round, followed closely the two competitors who originally planned on competing in the Premier Championship; Tegan Fitzsimon (Windermere Cappuccino) and Lucinda Askin (Portofino), both producing classy rounds.
“He jumped amazing,” said Sophie. “At the start, I was just going nice and slow and then ended up getting quicker and quicker. He loves the speed rounds.” Sophie travelled down from Wellington for this show, and is competing on four different horses at various levels.
In the show hunter ring, the introductory classes were held today, with Fran Gunn on Billy and Brigette Barnes on Healtherfield winning the two 85cm classes. The championship classes start tomorrow in both the pony and horse show hunter rings.
Show jumping action starts again tomorrow morning at 8.30am in the main arena, with the first class being the Hilton Press National 1.20m class, which is currently being led by Emma Power on Mojito GNZ. Entry for spectators is free.
Results
NRM NZ National 1.10m Horse Championship First Competition
1. Kirk Magner, Summer Haze
2. Augusta Thompson, Ngahiwi Bahama Mama
3. Tamara Silcock, TMS Vincenzo
4. Emma Power, Gosh Yam It GNZ
5. Anna Robertson, Valyrie II
6. Lucinda Askin, I.Q.
Hilton Press NZ National 1.20m Horse Championship First Competition
1. Emma Power, Mojito GNZ
2. Georgina Dormer, Casanova NZPH
3. Olivia Brown, Darryl RH
4. Larina Dolman, Kiwi Lansing
5. Emma Power, Tuxedo
6. Katie Hercock, Whimsical WDS
Rangiora Vet Centre NZ National Open Pony Championship First Competition
1. Ella Rae-Wood, Tallyho Primrose
2. Emma Gillies, Benrose Playtime
3. Samantha Gillies, Junior Disco
4. Johanna Wylaars, Wembleybrook Tiffany
5. Cara Quinn, Ellen Vanin Untouchable
6. Madeline Wood, Galaxy Masterpiece
June Cresswell NZ National 1.30m Horse Championship in conjunction with Mainland Coachwork Limited First Competition
1. Tegan Fitzsimon, Alacazam MH
2. Katie Meredith, Westgrove GNZ
3. Kate Cavanagh, Wallflower
4. Amy McMullan, Silversmith
5. Katie Meredith, Ngahiwi Double Cross
6. Olivia Harkerss, Lacona Ammoe
Wilcox Perlas Potatoes NZ National Grand Prix Horse Championship First competition
1. Sophie Scott, Lakota
2. Tegan Fitzsimon, Windermere Cappuccino
3. Lucinda Askin, Portofino
4. Olivia Robertson, Grandaire
5. Rose Alfeld, My Super Nova
6. Molly Buist-Brown, Vali
