First GP for Harry and he wins!

Young rider Harry Feast had his first start in a Grand Prix today at McLeans Island as part of the Showjumping Canterbury Labour Weekend Showjumping Carnival. He rode Double J Bouncer, who was also making his Grand Prix debut, and managed to clean up the class, producing the only clear round to take out the win.

Riding over fences 1.40 – 1.50m, 20-year-old Harry made an excellent job of the course and described the win as “a great start!”  Double J Bouncer is only eight years old and Harry is in no hurry to push him to the top. “We will be taking him slowly. He hasn’t done a lot of bigger classes.” The plan is to focus on Young Rider competitions, with Ashburton in their sights, followed by the Christchurch Show.

Harry, from West Melton, Canterbury is a member of the ESNZ Talent ID Squad for 2016. He ended last season very well, winning the Seven-Year-Old Series on Double J Bouncer, and finishing fourth in the Young Rider Series. If this form continues, we expect him to be a real contender for the Young Rider title this year.

Tegan Fitzsimon was second on Double J Monarch with just one rail in the first round, making it a Double J quinella, a testament to the work and breeding done by Wendy and Robyn Jacobs from Double J Sporthorses.

 

Chris Harris was third on Glenbrooke Archie Bunker, having a very unlucky rail at the second to last, a liverpool.

In the Horse Championship 1.30, it was a good win to the lovely coloured horse Lakota, ridden by Katie Meredith. Sally Spicer had set the standard with the first clear round in the jump-off on Bella Vi, but had to settle for second when Katie took more than two seconds off her time. Courtney Townsend and Suzy Fog were clear but with a slower time, so slotted into third place. Katie was also fourth with Mr Tambourine Man, and Gail Richardson fifth on Eireann Bandoola.

Katie described her show as “very good.” She has had Lakota for a few years. “He has just stepped up to this level, so I am really pleased with him.” She now plans on tackling the World FEI Challenge at Ashburton.

In the last class of the day in Ring One, Kirsty Sharapoff won the 1.20m TAM5 on Shoot the Breeze with Lydia Truesdale second on Allander Rocket.

Photos for purchase can be found on this link.

Results to Hand