NZ EQUESTRIAN News


Sam leads the way for NZ Team
Saturday, 14 September 2013


It’s been a great start for the Kiwis across the Tasman today. Both the senior and young rider teams competed at the Sydney’s Spring Showcase of Showjumping, with Samantha McIntosh (Cambridge) and Estina (owned by Lakeridge Equestrian) notching a win in the gold class of the day.

They headed off 21 other combinations and were one of just three to go through to the jump-off. As the last to go, McIntosh and Estina came home in 49.23 seconds – 2.03 seconds clear of second-placed Sharon Slater and CP Ulixes. Paula Hamood and Nero GHP were the fastest of the jump-off but paid for their 46.99 seconds with a rail.

McIntosh was rapt with the win, and more particularly with her mare.
“She sure jumped great today,” said the former Olympian and World Champs representative. “This is an amazing show put on by the Winning family. We’ve got a big day on Sunday.”

The senior team have the lead in the informal teams class, with 12 faults to the invitational’s 24.

Ross Smith (Canterbury) and Quite Cassini were unlucky to bag four faults when the second to last fence fell, with Lisa Coupe (Kumeu) and Bates Amaretto MVNZ picking up eight faults and Luke Dee (Ocean Beach) aboard Ombudsman the drop score with their 16 fault effort.

The young riders are equal with their counterparts, with each team having two clears and two four fault rounds.

For New Zealand, Bridget Hansen (Ocean Beach) on NZPH Turn it Blue and Rosie Commons (Auckland) on Glenara Chandon were both clear, with Rebekah van Tiel (Karaka) and Adeaze and Olivia Robertson (Queenstown) on Ngahiwi Cisco picking up four faults apiece.

Chef d’equipe John Cottle is very pleased with his charges.

“Overall it was a good first day. That senior round was quite a tough track and the last oxer to the combination caught out a lot of horses,” he said.

He’s pleased with his young riders, saying an individual win was not the aim.
“We wanted a team score, and we’re sitting equal, so that’s a good start. Everyone is pretty positive going into the weekend, so it’s all go for Sunday. Events like this are good mileage for our riders.”

While this weekend may be an informal clash, the Oceania Championship test series next week is serious business.

Below: Samantha McIntosh and Estina - Photo courtesy Kelly Wilson no reuse permitted

The official tests are at the Australian Showjumping Championships in Werribee from September 19-22. When they last did battle, in New Zealand in 2012, it was a draw, so both teams will be keen to stake a claim on one of the most sought-after trans Tasman trophies. The teams will also compete at the Royal Melbourne Show from September 26-29 in an unofficial test.

Senior team: Lisa Coupe (Kumeu) Bates Amaretto MVNZ, Ross Smith (Canterbury) Quite Cassini, Samantha McIntosh (Cambridge) Estina, Luke Dee (Ocean Beach) Ombudsman.

Young Rider team: Rebekah van Tiel (Karaka) Adeaze, Rosie Commons (Auckland) Glenara Chandon, Olivia Robertson (Queenstown) Ngahiwi Cisco, Bridget Hansen (Ocean Beach) Shakespear NZPH.

Chef d’equipe: John Cottle (Auckland).

Story By: Diana Dobson