The first day of the 2017 Horse of the Year Show saw the first ribbons being presented and the first Horse of the Year titles given out, and many of the winners were first-timers!
Welsh Ponies
Over in the Welsh ring, ponies were of an exceptionally high standard, according to the judges – one of whom, Paul Quinn, is Welsh himself – though he now lives in Australia. He was very happy with the ponies he saw before him, and his fellow judge, Victorian Mark Brown, was also impressed. “The riders are beautifully presented and the standard of both ponies and riders is very good indeed. They would not look out of place anywhere around the world; it is a high class field,” he said. Both Mark and Paul were heading off to attend and compete at the National Welsh Show in Victoria and reckoned that the competitors there would struggle to beat the field out today.
Kendra Peart-Anderson on 12-year-old Willowmead Court Jester won the first class, the Waimai Welsh Pony Stud Ridden Open Partbred Welsh Exhibit of the Year. This is the third year in a row the pair from Eureka, Waikato, have won this class. Kendra loves ‘Chachi’ so much she is reluctant to let him go next year when she graduates to hacks. “Technically next year I am too old to do ponies but I can still ride in the Welsh classes so may be back!”
Ella Rankin riding Sherwood Mark II won the Waimai Welsh Pony Stud Ridden Open Purebred Welsh Pony or Cob Exhibit of the Year for the second time. Ella, from Paihiatua is only 12 so could be back to defend her title next year. ‘Mark’ has been with her for five years now and is 15. “His favourite treat is ice creams, cone and all” said Ella, and he could well be getting one tonight, for being such a good boy.
Mia Cadwallader, aged 8, and Nanteos Autumn Guardsman won the Bellamy Lodge Ridden Pure-bred Lead Rein Pony of the Year. Mum Nanette did the leading duties.
Not only was it seven-year-old Imogen Malcolm-Solly’s first win in the Bellamy Lodge Ridden Part-bred Welsh Lead Rein Pony of the Year, but it was her first time at the Horse of the Year Show! From Kerikeri, Imogen, with mother Natalie doing the leading and father Garth helping on the sidelines, went on to win the Overall Welsh Lead Rein Pony championship with the lovely little Coroview Kingston. The judges really rated this pony, and said it would be up there with the top Australian lead-rein competitors.
It wasn’t therefore surprising when they awarded the same pony, this time ridden by Imogen’s sister Amelia, the Bellamy Lodge Partbred Welsh First Ridden Pony of the Year. Taurimu Renaissance and Grace Purdie were second.
The Bellamy Lodge Purebred Welsh First Ridden Pony of the Year went to Ty Gwyn Glen Mhor ridden by Samantha Jones. Images can be found on Jane’s website.
Show Jumping
Another first-time competitor was the winner of the Wade Equine Amateur Rider Title, Abby Hore riding Beaumont Geldolf. Abby had undertaken the huge trip from Millers Flat in Central Otago, and says that just getting from her home to the top of the South Island took 14 hours! Her daughter Jessica is also competing with her show pony, Glenmore Lucky I Am and the times of the classes clashed, so husband Richard was over with the ponies.
Abby was delighted with her win. “I had a lot of faith in him. He went clear this morning and as he had already qualified, I elected not to jump off, to save him for this afternoon. I was really surprised I was the only clear, I thought he would be tired from the trip, but he loves getting in the ring, and seems to get more energy.” She was off to see how her daughter got on and hoped to be able to celebrate with a quiet drink with her husband this evening.
Beaumont Geldolf was bred by Abby on Beaumont Station, and is three-quarters thoroughbred, with some Clydesdale blood in there too. His results in the amateur classes in the South Island have been very consistent all season. Abby has had horses at HOY before, but they have competed with other riders
Nicola Smith was second in the class on Verdant Blue NZPH, Ann Fletcher and Coast to Coast were third and Noni Morgan and Secret Keeper fourth. Kirstin Beaven on La Riviere was fifth.
South Island form has been great on the first day, with Katie Meredith recording a good win in the Stirrups Horse 1.40m class on her lovely Westgrove GNZ, who took the National title recently in Christchurch. Katie Laurie and Dunstan Springfield were second, just 0.05 behind Katie Meredith, with Daniel Blundell and Lavello third and Clarke Johnstone fourth on Quainton Labyrinth, who was very impressive. Seven of the 11 who went clear in the first round were clear again in the jump-off, so an excellent standard at the higher level.
In the Horse 1.10m-1.20m A5 Art 238.2.2- Amateur Qualifier, it was a win for Daniel Blundell on Charlie NZPH in one section and Danielle Maurer on Cassanova AF in the second.
The Harrison Lane Horse 1.30m was won by Leeshelle Small on AMZ Ajaccio NZPH with Hannah Bodle on Whakanui De L Amore second and the Olympic pair, Balmoral Sensation and Clarke Johnstone third.
Claire Wilson and McMillans Fredrika RE won the AHD Ltd Horse Equitation 1.15m and the ESNZ Medal. Emily Hayward-Morgan was second on Wasabi with Chloe Hansen on Kiwi Motto third.
Emma Gaze continued her winning way, taking first place in the Harney & Sons Horse 1.20m A2 on Fire Bug, and third on Woodland Bug, with Keean Cooper on Double J Angelic second.
The Donut Express Horse 1.10m A5 class was won by Jessica Collinson on Bunny Hop, from Ratamill Eve, ridden by Anneke Van Rooyen. Maia Coster and Clearwater were third.
Show Hunter
It was a hot competition but Georgia Alexander got the quinella in the Handy Hunter 80-90cm pony class, winning on Gold Class and second on Meersbrooke Special FX. Annalise Graham was third on Puzzle.
Abby Robinson took the win in the horse handy hunter (1m-1.05), on Lost in Translation, with Kirsten Hence on Miss Maude second, and Sophie Fisher third on Caballo Marino.
(Image: Jane Thompson)
Dressage
Mandy Littlejohn had a great start to her Horse of the Year, winning the Donut Express Level 5 5C on a score of 68.577. Julie Flintoff and Belladonna MH were second on 68.211, with Vanessa Way and NRM KH Arion third on 67.439.
Pinto
Showing
Judges in the showing rings included David Bartram and Chris Lawton from the United Kingdom and Harry & Di Tunnicliffe from Australia.
The Gee Whizz Memorial Equestrian Turnout went to X Factor and Sue Reynolds for the second year in a row. First Edition and Jade Farrant were second, with Philippa Whitaker and Booming third.
Ryan Teece did a great job of showing KS Bee Keeper to win the Led Youngstock Show Horse of the Year (3 years and under, to mature over 148 cms) for Lily Moss. Rosehill Park Sapphire was reserve and also the best presented.
Highcroft Heavenly and Andrea Shore won the Led Adult Pony of the Year (dry mare or gelding 4 years & over). Runners-up were Noah Murphy and Linden Angels Song, with third-placed KS Honey Boo Boo (TC Equestrian) judged the best presented.
Other results from the show ring included
Pony Breeders Society NZ Bred Pony over 138cm
1 – UPTOWN CHARLIE BROWN & Natasha Waddell
2 – BROOKFIELDS DREAMS ARE FREE & Adrienne van den Berk
3 – WOODLANDS PARK LIGHT O DAY & Rebecca Aplin
Pony Breeders Society NZ Bred Pony not exceeding 138cm.
1 – EASTDALE DIVA & Trey Cadwallader
2 – BROOKFIELDS CHINA DOLL & Frankie Lawn
3 – BEECHCROFT GLAMOUR & Julieanne Baynes
PBSNZ Led Show Pony of the Year
1 – FALCONHURST FIRST CYTE & Nicky Vujcich
2 – KS MISTER POSTMAN & KS Show Horses G Williams
3 – SUMMERLEA REMBRANDTS MILAN & KS Show Horses G Williams
Led Adult Show Horse of the Year (4yrs and over) over 148cm
1 – XANT’E & Richard Otto
2 – MY KINGDOM & Harriet Redmond
3 – ZANZIPOUR & Selwyn Norling
Led Young Stock Show Horse of the Year (3yrs and under) to mature over 148cm
1 – KS BEE KEEPER & Lily Moss
2 – ROSEHILL PARK SAPPHIRE & Regent Park
3 – CARDONALD DELIVER & Kerry Shearer
Led Adult Pony of the Year (Dry Mare or Gelding 4yrs & over)
1 – HIGHCROFT HEAVENLY & Andrea Shore
2 – LINDEN ANGELS SONG & Noah Murphy
3 – KS HONEY BOO BOO & TC Equestrian
Led Youngstock Pony of the Year (Open to yearlings, 2yo’s & 3yo’s)
1 – BRAEBURN PARK SPRING DANCE & Andrea Shore
2 – KS MISTER POSTMAN & KS Show Horses G Williams
3 – SUMMERLEA REMBRANDTS MILAN & KS Show Horses G Williams
Led Broodmare or Stallion of the Year
1 – FALCONHURST FIRST CYTE & Nicky Vujcich
2 – KS ROYAL ROSE & KS Show Horses
3 – PHOENICIAN RICHIE RICH & Viv Staples
The Wonder Memorial Junior Equestrian Turnout
1 – MANSFIELD PARK MAGNOLIA & Meg Fleming
2 – UPTOWN CHARLIE BROWN & Natasha Waddell
3 – TIROHANGA TOUCH WOOD & Brooke Bennett
Senior Rider of the Year, 21yrs & over
1 – AVANTE GARDE & Corey Miln
2 – PLAYBOY & Fiona Honeyman
3 – GLAMORGAN BY DESIGN & Amanda Berridge
Youth or Girl Rider of the Year 17yrs & under 21yrs
1 – ABALONE PEARL & Lauren Dolan
2 – RESCUE MISSION & Kate Fleming
3 – BROOKFIELDS VON STRAUSS & Chloe Roach
Other results can be viewed on Equestrian Entries and photographs for sae will (soon) be available on these websites:
