Lucy Akers nabbed her second grand prix win in as many weeks today at the Manawatu A and P Show in Feilding.
Aboard Letitbe GNZ, Akers took a sneaky inside turn during the Equissage Horse Grand Prix jump-off to beat Simon Wilson (Waipukurau) and McMillans Midway Smooth Dude home by .23 of a second.
Six started the class with five coming back over the Gary Sinclair-designed course.
Wilson laid the challenge going double clear and Akers (Opiki) knew she couldn’t waste any time with the likes of Oliver Edgecombe (Waipukurau), Brooke Zander (Waipukurau) and Robert Steele (Dannevirke) following her.
Edgecombe was also double clear but couldn’t match Akers time.
Akers inherited the 11-year-old horse, who was bred by Goldengrove Stud in Christchurch, from her sister Chloe.
“Mum bought him as a three-year-old unbroken colt . . . so we have had him a long time but it has taken him a long time to understand the sport of showjumping.”
Much of the ground work had been done by Chloe, who brought him through the 1.2m and 1.3m classes before Akers took over the ride 18 months ago.
“I am lucky to have benefited from all that work by Chloe.”
Last weekend Akers won the World Cup round aboard Tinapai.
In the Country TV Pony Grand Prix Georgina Duncan (Hunterville) and Hometown Hero headed home eight other combinations to take the honours in a very fast class.
It was the first grand prix outing for the combination who came home double clear in 32.04 seconds. Seasoned campaigner Shanae McKay (Levin) and Guthrie were second, double clear in 32.79.
The two day show was held at Manfeild.
Results -
Equissage Horse Grand Prix: Lucy Akers (Opiki) Letitbe GNZ 1, Simon Wilson (Waipukurau) McMillans Midway Smooth Dude 2, Oliver Edgecombe
(Waipukurau) Ultra Blue NZPH 3, Robert Steele (Dannevirke) Grand Coeur 4, Brooke Zander (Waipukurau) LT Holst Aunty Annette 5, Simon Wilson
(Waipukurau) McMillans Clearmont MVNZ 6.
Country TV Pony Grand Prix: Georgina Duncan (Hunterville) Homeland Hero 1, Shanae McKay (Levin) Guthrie 2, Blake Davis (Palmerston North) Busta Rhymes 3, Parys Marshall (New Plymouth) Limericks Black Samba 4, Amanda Steele (Dannevirke) Ronnie 5, Sophie Scott (Wellington) Waitohi Belle 6.
Canterbury Equestrian Young Rider Series: Larina Dolman (Gisborne) Kiwi Lansing 1, Hannah Fraser (Feilding) Verdase 2, Georgia Massie
(Dannevirke) Larinum LS 3, Isabella Harley (Wellington) Brainy G 4, Billie Scotson (Porirua) Automatic 5, Emma Thurlow (Waverley) Alls Fair 6.
Telford Junior Rider Series: Stefanie Nicholas (Kaiapoi) Black River 1, Victoria Haig (Levin) Zactac Tiramisu 2, Georgia Massie (Dannevirke) Kiwi Iron Heart and Zoe Strawbridge (Waipukurau) Ngahiwi Mary Holden =3, Georgina Duncan (Hunterville) Chrialka Dettori 5, Sophie Collins
(Wanganui) Ngahiwi Potion 6.
Caledonian Amateur Rider Series: Diana Cottle (Wellington) Morpheus Rising 1, Glen Hicks (Hastings) Kiwi Hope 2, Ellie Muller (Hawera) Starlight Divine 3, Glen Hicks (Hastings) Weiti Aubergine 4, Bruce Herd
(Whakarongo) Ice Challenge 5, Ellie Muller (Hawera) Validate 6.
