Cambridge horsewoman Rachel Malcolm was just aiming for “nice” clear rounds with her horses in the big class of the day at the Alltech Grand Prix Showjumping and Show Hunter Show at Woodhill Sands in Auckland today . . . instead she took the quinella.
Malcolm was had two starts in the 12-strong Equissage Horse Grand Prix.
Just three made it through to the jump-off over the Phillipa Howells-designed course. The second of the double proved problematic for many with half the field taking a rail at the fence.
In the jump-off, Malcolm had both Equador MVNZ and Henton Excalibur, with Nakeysha Lammers (Northland) and All Expenses of Renton the only other one through.
Each of the three took a rail, so it came down to time, with Equador stopping the clock at 53.43 seconds, Excalibur in 53.43 and All Expenses at 55.18.
Malcolm was thrilled. She had been aiming eight-year-old Equador for a clear round but he excelled.
“He’s been feeling really good lately and had some good placings at 1.4m, so this was a nice result for him.”
The results were especially pleasing as it was Excalibur first Grand Prix start. She has had the eight-year-old since he was two and a few injuries along the way saw him miss a couple of seasons.
“He was left behind a bit because of that but lately has been stepping up nicely,” says Malcolm. “He is a bit of a hooligan in the warm-up but I have always felt he is a bit special, so hopefully there are plenty of good things to come.”
Malcolm is building her team up for the fast-approaching Farmlands Horse of the Year Show in Hawke’s Bay in March where she hopes she will secure her first Lady Rider of the Year title. She will start both Excalibur and Equador in the class. Equador will also do the Premier Stakes, while Excalibur will be in the 1.35m championship.
A full time horsewoman, she works with her husband breaking, pre-training and training race horses and also all the youngsters and showjumpers at Mount View Sport Horses.
The Country TV Pony Grand Prix attracted 15 combinations and again, just three went through. Winner Briar Burnett-Grant (Taupo) and Fiber Fresh Kabo Silver added just four faults to their tally, coming home in 36.75 seconds, with Olivia Miler (Te Puke) and Kaycee Mackay second with eight faults in 35.78 and Ella Poole-Crowe (Whangarei) on Gizbo also bagging eight faults in 53.28.
The show attracted more than 370 horses over the two days.
Results -
Equissage Horse Grand Prix: Rachel Malcolm (Cambridge) Equador MVNZ 1, Rachel Malcolm (Cambridge) Henton Excalibur 2, Nakeysha Lammers
(Northland) All Expenses of Renton 3, Emily Hayward-Morgan (Te Awamutu) AP Ninja 4, Amanda Wilson (Hikurangi) Showtym Cassanova 5, Carissa McCall (Auckland) Esteban MVNZ 6.
Country TV Pony Grand Prix: Briar Burnett-Grant (Taupo) Fiber Fresh Kabo Silver 1, Olivia Miller (Te Puke) Kaycee Mackay 2, Ella Poole-Crowe
(Whangarei) Gizbo 3, Emma Watson (Morrinsville) Fun House 4, Maddison Bult (Kumeu) Mr Black Magic 5, Billie Mae Mentzer (Mangawhai) Taylor Made Gift 6.
Let’s Bale Pro Amateur Rider Series: Donna Atkinson (Te Puke) Brixie 1, Amy Gravatt (Whangarei) Ake Ake 2, Joanna Bullock (Auckland) Weiti Justice 3, Nick Brooks (Cambridge) Versace C 4, Virginia Thompson
(Henderson) Star Nouveau 5, James Jackson (Cambridge) Carol 6.
ESNZ Seven Year Old Series: Caroline Kennedy (Cambridge) Smoken Up 1, Nakeysha Lammers (Northland) Resolution 2, Briar Burnett-Grant (Taupo) Fiber Fresh Veroana 3, Mark Weedon (Auckland) Candenza 4, Rosie Commons
(Auckland) Athena GNZ 5, Carol Stewart (Tokoroa) Hit Parade 6.
Caledonian Amateur Rider Series: Melanie Dudding (Tuakau) Country Zena 1, Melanie Dudding (Tuakau) Country Dream 2, Laura McGregor (Cambridge) Mister Macloud 3, Megan Finlayson (Kerikeri) Greensleeves 4, Nicola Shore (Auckland) Chanel GNZ 5, Rebecca Roigard (Auckland) Gazelle II 6.
East Coast Performance Horses Five Year Old Series: Vicki Prendergast
(Matamata) Sangster 1.
Mitavite Six Year Old Series: Hannah Bodle (Morrinsville) Whakanui De L’amore and Amanda Wilson (Hikurangi) Woodbine Legacy =1.
Telford Junior Rider: Olivia Dalton (Kumeu) Bling Ru Rouet 1, Laura Lush
(Auckland) Tres Bonne 2, Imogen Wright (Auckland) Delaware 3, Keean Cooper (Waikato) Double J Angelic 4, Brayden Aarts (Auckland) Puma des Hayettes 5, Briar Burnett-Grant (Taupo) Miss Cassinei MS 6.
