NZ EQUESTRIAN News


Second GP Win of Season for McNaught-McFarlane
Sunday, 12 October 2014


Helen McNaught-McFarlane is feeling right at home in New Zealand, particularly after notching her second horse grand prix win of the season.

The Brit, who moved Down Under via the United States with husband Duncan McFarlane in July, headed off an eight strong field to take the honours in the Country TV Horse Grand Prix at the Central Districts Show in Foxton today (Sunday).

Five went clear in the first round over the Heather McDonald (Dannevirke) designed course – McNaught-McFarlane and Carnutelabryere, Claire Wilson (Waipukurau) aboard Tipsey, Lucy Akers (Opiki) and Tinapai, Bernard Denton (Feilding) on Horsesports Suzuki and Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) on Conyers.

In the jump-off it became a three horse challenge – Wilson and her plucky little Tipsey did a great clear in 42.69 seconds, with Beatson and Conyers right on their tail, but McNaught-McFarlane and her giant grey Carnutelabryere – or Brian as he is generally known – were too slick in 37.82.

“He’s just a youngster and while he is a bit of nutter in the warm up arena, he gets in the ring and just does the business,” said his 48-year-old rider.

She is chuffed the eight-year-old 17.3hh import is feeling very comfortable at the bigger heights.

“I didn’t expect it to be so smooth,” said McNaught-McFarlane. “He’s such a willing horse and so kind, but I thought we would have a few problems in these early rounds. For a big horse he is so agile.”

She had plenty of praise for her competition too.

The McFarlanes moved to their 10-acre Taupo property in July, where they’ve quickly settled in, building a barn, stables and establishing their new base where they are now happily ensconced with the horses, goats, sheep and other animals.

“We are just loving it here – it reminds me of shows I used to do in England when I was growing up.”

Results -
Country TV Horse Grand Prix: Helen McNaught-McFarlane (Taupo) Carnutelabryere 1, Claire Wilson (Waipukurau) McMillans Tipsey 2, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) Conyers 3, Bernard Denton (Feilding) Horsesports Suzuki 4, Lucy Akers (Opiki) Tinapai 5, Melody Matheson (Hastings) Cheltenham 6.

Prebble Equestrian Pony Grand Prix: Mathew Irvine (Hawke’s Bay) Fun House 1, Zoe Strawbridge (Hawke’s Bay) Roo Baloo 2, Shanae McKay (Levin) Guthrie 3, Olivia Miller (Te Puke) Kaycee Mackay 4, Will Moffett (Hawke’s Bay) Utu 5, Shanae McKay (Levin) Kabo So Far 6.

Jump a Bull Young Rider: Melody Matheson (Hastings) Cheltenham 1, Jane Warren (Hawke’s Bay) Darkages 2, Claudia Porter (Hastings) Joia Hara 3, Emily Fraser (Feilding) Maximillion II 4, Caitlyn Horton (Taranaki) Circus 5, Kathryn Alabaster (Central Districts) Cricklewood Banjo 6.

Telford Junior Rider: Georgia Massie (Dannevirke) Kiwi Ironheart 1, Emily Fraser (Feilding) Striking Gladiator 2, Emily Fraser (Feilding) Kiwi Sunray 3, Deanika Vink (Central Districts) Lincoln Hall 4, Tayla Mason (Waikanae) Sonidor 5, Brooke Jenkins (Wellington) Kiwi Exalt 6.

Jen Hamilton Pro Amateur Rider: Brooke Zander (Waipukurau) Double J Rumours 1, Tim Pearce (Marton) De Becker 2, Katharine van Tuyl (Woodville) Double J Sunshine 3, Chloe Akers (Opiki) Kiwi Motto 4, Laura Knight (Palmerston North) Sir Arthur 5, Caitlin Pemberton (Palmerston North) Popoloca 6.

Caledonian Amateur Rider: Dana Sutton (Central Districts) Down Wind 1, Diana Cottle (Levin) Morpheus Rising 2, Natasha Mazey (Wellington) Kabo Lunar 3, Olivia Goodsir (Central Districts) My Secret 4, Tanya Dickey (New Plymouth) Kiwi Felix 5, Christina O'Donnell (Central Districts) My Tom Tom 6.

Goldengrove Stud Seven-Year- Old Series: Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) Wishing Crown 1, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) Mandalay Cove 2, Oliver Edgecombe (Waipukurau) Ultra Blue NZPH 3, Katharine van Tuyl (Woodville) Double J Sunshine 4, Mathew Dickey (Oakura) Quango 5, Robert Steele (Hawera) Tigger 6.

Mitavite Six-Year-Old: Jesse Linton (Hastings) Dangerzone, Time Pearce (Marton) Oracle WT, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) Radiant, Julie Davey (Hastings) CentaRoc, Kristina O'Donnel (Palmerston North) Fenton, Tayla Mason (Waikanae) Silverstar, Ash Hart (Hastings) Kiwi Lux =1.

East Coast Performance Horses: Kim Best (Hastings) Duke, Kim Best (Hastings) Popeye, Laura Knight (Palmerston North) Allouette, Ash Hart (Hastings) Kiwi Cheroline, Oliver Edgecombe (Waipukurau) Ngahiwi Onyx =1.