NZ EQUESTRIAN News


Equestrian - de Business from Pearce at Wairarapa
Sunday, 28 October 2012


Marton vet Tim Pearce knows all about success at top level... but it’s been a while since he has been in the spotlight.

But today, aboard his “quirky” 11-year-old brown gelding De Becker, he won the one star horse grand prix at the Wairarapa A and P Show.

“I’m really proud of this horse,” he said. “He’s jumped some great rounds, but we’ve never even been placed in a horse grand prix before.”

Pearce however, won his last grand prix in 1996, has ridden for New Zealand at Pan Pacific Games, and been vet, head selector and chef d’equipe for many of New Zealand’s top teams for World Championships and Olympics.

“Grand prix have been way way beyond my scope for a long time,” said the 57 year old. “Those jumps have looked pretty big too, but now that De Becker is starting to go well, they’re looking a little better!”

The Pearces have had De Becker – who is by Liocalyon, the same sire as New Zealand showjumping superstar Dunstan Delphi – since he was just a few weeks old.
“I’ve always believed in him, but he is a pretty timid horse so it has taken a long time to get that confidence.”

But Pearce ranks him as good as anything he’s ridden before.

“In 12 months time, if everything keeps going well, I believe he has enough talent to carry me around some pretty big courses. It’s very exciting.”

Today, the combination were one of just three from the 13 starters to go clear in the opening round of the grand prix.

First out was Anna Stephen (Martinborough) aboard the stunning Constantine who took a rail and came home in 36.74 seconds. Next came Amy Roydhouse (Hawke’s Bay) and Roxborough who were double clear in 43.09. It was Pearce’s to lose, but there was no way that was going to happen.

Pearce and De Becker flew round in 43.09, leaving everything in place.

The victory topped off a good show for the Pearce household, with Trish adding to the ribbons with a fifth in the amateur rider class.


Results -

Horse Grand Prix (one star): Tim Pearce (Marton) De Becker 1, Amy Roydhouse (Hawke’s Bay) Roxborough 2, Anna Stephen (Martinborough) Constantine 3, Lucy Akers (Opiki) Cortaflex Tinapai 4, Logan Massie (Dannevirke) Kiwi Ludo 5, Nicki Booth (Wairarapa) Edana van Overis 6.


Pony Grand Prix (one star): Jimmy James Duncan (Hunterville) Surprise Illusion 1, Shaun Fannin (Hawke’s Bay) Sir Samson 2, Georgia Massie (Dannevirke) Tazz 3, Emily Fraser (Takapau) Tony The Pony 4, Rebecca Porter (Hawke’s Bay) Chobidong 5, Polly Gibbs (Wellington) Traffic LS 6.


Young Rider Series: Melody Matheson (Hawke’s Bay) Scottish Lad 1, Nicki Booth (Wairarapa) Edana van Overis 2, Logan Massie (Dannevirke) Kiwi Ludo 3, Melody Matheson (Hawke’s Bay) Cheltenham 4, Nicki Booth (Wairarapa) Roulez Rouge 5, Claudia Porter (Hawke’s Bay) Mr Harrison 6.


Caledonia Amateur Rider Series: Tinesha Carey (Hawke’s Bay) Airhill Squaw Valley 1, Nonie Morgan (Hawke’s Bay) AP Ninja 2, Emma Hayworth (Wellington) Liquid Lunch 3, Diana Cottle (Palmerston North) Morpheus Rising 4, Trish Pearce (Marton) Joan Jet 5, Geneva Topp (Wairarapa) Guy Smiley 6.


KiwiSpan Junior Rider: Hayley Morris (Burnham) Live Wire II 1, Hayley Morris (Burnham) Ka Pai Kiwi 2, Rebecca Porter (Hawke’s Bay) Mr Harrison 3, Will Moffett (Hawke’s Bay) Dark Vader 4, Melody Matheson (Hawke’s Bay) Who Said 5, Robert Wellwood (Hastings) Insightful 6.


Fernhill Stud Five Year Old: Lydia Quay (New Plymouth) Our Finn, Oliver Edgecombe (Waipukurau) Ultra Blue NZPH, Brooke Zander (Waipukurau) Double J Sunshine =1.


Mitavite Six Year Old Series: Sally Clark (Dannevirke) Victoria’s Secret 1.


Seven Year Old Series: Logan Massie (Dannevirke) Double J Cloud Nine 1, Brooke Zander (Waipukurau) Double J Rumours 2, Claire Wilson (Waipukurau) Finnetto 3, Hayley Morris (Burnham) Ka Pai Kiwi 4, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) Lenarc 5, Oliver Edgecombe (Waipukurau) Brainy G 6.


STH Pro Amateur Rider: Pearl Delany-Girdlestone (Wellington) Windale Gracious 1, Douglas Thomson (Wellington) Marksman Arrow 2, Sarah Dalziell (Wairarapa) Benrose Super Star 3, Lydia Quay (New Plymouth) Kaipara Double Dee 4, Lisa Beck (Hawke’s Bay) Matilda 5, Laura Knight (Manawatu) Ricmeister 6.

- Diana Dobson, ESNZ Media Liaison