Katie: the winner takes all at Waitemata

Katie Laurie and Dunstan Casebrook Lomond on their way to taking out The Country TV World Cup (NZ) series and final today (Image: Libby Law Photography)

Katie Laurie will be sorely missed in show jumping circles when she moves to Australia later this year. She totally dominated the weekend’s prestigious events at Waitemata Show Jumping’s Continental Cars Audi World Cup Festival, held at Woodhill Sands, winning every class she went in. The World Cup (NZ) series final was the climax of the weekend, which Katie won on the magnificent Dunstan Casebrook Lomond, aka ‘Sparky the Unicorn’.

The pair were the only combination clear in the first round of the testing Peter Gillespie-built track, with both Tash Brooks on Kapattack and Lucy Fells on Tinopai having just four faults. Samantha Morrison on Biarritz also had just one rail but added a time fault as well.

The pressure went on Katie when Tash jumped clear in the second shorter round, and when Katie dropped a rail early in the course, she put on the accelerator and flew home 0.74 seconds faster than Tash to take the title.

Katie and Dunstan Casebrook Lomond; the World Equestrian Games in 2018 is their goal (Image: Libby Law Photography)

It was a bit of a wait while the officials counted up the series points, but of course Katie’s father Jeff McVean had already sussed it all out. Once it was official that Katie and Sparky had won the series as well, he confirmed that the pair were not planning on going to the world final at the end of March in the USA, as it was “too early” for the handsome white stallion. “WEG 2018 has always been the goal for him,” he says.

Katie only decided this morning to start Sparky, and had no idea she was in for a chance with the series, as she was just fifth at that point. “I love him so much and I was worried I might push him too far but he is coming out every round and getting better and better. The first round he felt amazing. The second round, the fence he had down, it was a bit on the gate [to the ring] and he lost a bit of concentration. I then moved him up and he was like ‘It’s easy now’. He is such a show-off.”

Katie’s show did have one not-so-great moment and this came in the first round in the World Cup class with Dunstan Breeze; she took a tumble when things went wrong at one of the doubles. “I rode too hard in and made it impossible for her. Everyone was backing off; a lot of people were having to ride at that, so I thought, ‘I’m going to ride at it’, and then she just made too much ground.”

Tash, meanwhile, was thrilled with her former racehorse, the Kaapstad gelding Kapattack. “We’ve had three starts for a first and a second – I couldn’t ask for more. Finishing second [to Katie] is pretty much a win anyway!”

Course-builder Peter Gillespie thought the New Zealand riders had to get used to him and his courses. “My tracks are forward and thinking, and I think most of the riders actually improved. I saw better rounds later on the second day and the third day. There are some very talented horses here and some very knowledgeable riders. I was very pleased with this class because there were no disasters. Over a 1.50-1.60 track you are always going to have faults, but there were no absolute disasters. I didn’t expect more than one or two clear rounds at the most. I have built over in Australia on the western coast in a similar World Cup class, and I have gone through that with no clears.”

Peter, who hails from just out of London, has been in New Zealand for a week and is staying another month, building more courses including at Taranaki. It isn’t his first trip here, though. “I was here 14 years ago for a holiday, but this has been tremendous so far.”

One horse we were looking forward to seeing this weekend was Carnutelabryere, who was leading the series going into the final, but his rider Helen McNaught made the decision to withdraw him. “He just isn’t right, and as he jumps from his heart, it just isn’t fair to ask him to compete when he’s not feeling 100%,” she said. “I shouldn’t have taken him to Feilding; his body is sore from that. He didn’t lie down for four days after that event. While the arena itself is fine, the warm-up area is like concrete.” She is hoping that she can still get him to the Horse of the Year show to defend his Olympic Cup title. “We won’t do any more shows before the Horse of the Year, which isn’t ideal, as it is too long a break.”

Helen did still finish second in the series, which she was thrilled to learn. “I am delighted to get something for all my horse’s hard work this season.”

Samantha Morrison was fourth today, and third in the series, while Matthew Dickey was third in the class and sixth in the series.

Four seasons in one weekend

Auckland weather was up to its usual tricks this weekend, throwing rain and sun, and today it was wind playing havoc with the horse action. As the sand whirled around everywhere, the wind blew jump decorations over, and tradestands battled to stay in place, but the jumping went on. The nice Audis on display will certainly keep the car groomer busy next week! Those in the Virbac 1.35m Horse Grand Prix had probably the best conditions of the day and there was some superb jumping as a result.

Katie Laurie on Dunstan Springfield in action in the Virbac 1.35 GP. (Image: Jane Thompson)

Katie won this class with Dunstan Springfield. At the presentation, she demonstrated what a dab hand she is at putting prize covers on, as ‘Bart’ wasn’t having a bar of those on the ground trying to do so! The big chestnut wowed the crowd in the jump-off, making a turn that looked difficult enough for a little pony. Katie was delighted with him. “It was a great turn for a big horse but he’s good like that, you only have to lean and he turns.”

Katie Laurie and Dunstan Springfield

Michelle Wakeling on the roan BMW Littorroan nipped around following in Katie’s tracks, but was behind her time, for second. Third went to Nakeysha Lammers who opted for a steady clear in the jump-off and accomplished her mission.

Michelle Wakeling on BMW Littorroan was second in the GP 1.35m (Image: Jane Thompson)

Another who has had a good show with plenty of wins on various horses is Briar Burnett-Grant. Today she won not only the Equissage Pony 1.10m championship on Fiber Fresh Kabo Pongo, but also followed that up with a win in the next class, the Aniwell Pony Grand Prix 1.15-1.20m, this time on Fiber Fresh BG Lennox.  Briar said the highlight of her show this weekend has been winning both the Young Rider and the Junior Rider classes. “It’s a really well organised show, the ground is great, and my horses are jumping really well.” This is her last season on ponies, and she heads to HOY with a truck of both ponies and horses.

Briar Burnett-Grant has had a very successful show this weekend (Image: Jane Thompson)

Third in the Aniwell Pony Grand Prix (1.15-1.20) were Miss Mae West and Sarah West. This new combination were at their first show together but hadn’t had the most successful outing yesterday in the main pony Grand Prix. “I fell off,” said Sarah. “I entered this class to build confidence and this time it was really good. I am still learning how to ride her. I love her, she has a big jump, and I just need to get used to it.”  Sarah plans on doing a few more shows before heading to the Horse of the Year in March.

Miss Mae West did a lovely clear round with Sarah West (Image: Jane Thompson)

The weekend seemed to really suit some riders. Another who took home plenty of ribbons was Kate Hewlett. She won the Pryde’s EasiFeed 1.25m Horse Championship today, on her beautiful stallion, Capatino GNZ, adding the title to the Pro-Am win of yesterday, as well as a string of placings in the 1.10-1.20m classes. When asked what contributed to her successful weekend, Kate thought her training method of horsemanship and classical dressage was the winning recipe for her team.

Kate Hewlett and Capitano GNZ were the fastest clear in the jump off of the Pryde’s EasiFeed 1.25 horse championship (Image: Jane Thompson)

The laid-back and very handsome Capatino was bred by Golden Grove Stud, and Kate has had him since he was three – he is now seven. “We are aiming to do Grand Prix classes in two years, and next year the super series.” He already has a number of offspring on the ground; Kate has 15 of his progeny, and there are about 20 foals that other people have bred using him.

Country TV World Cup Final sponsored by Continental Cars Audi
1 – DUNSTAN CASEBROOKE LOMOND & Katie Laurie
2 – KAPATTACK & Natasha Brooks
3 – QUANGO & Mathew Dickey
4 – BIARRITZ & Samantha Morrison
5 – DOLLAR ROLL MS & William Willis
6 – TINAPAI & Lucy Fell

Reyna 1.15m Horse (Part of Continental Cars Audi New Zealand Championship Series) AM5
1 – DOSTI SHAYARI & Oliver Croucher
2 – BRENWOOD PURE BLONDE & Briar Woolley
3 – MISS MANDY & Victoria Goodwin
4 – NGAHIWI BEST WISHES & Charlotte Cotter
5 – OSCAR STAR & Emma Watson
6 – TENNESSEE WALTZ & Carol Stewart
7 – THEIA & Marie Pandosy
8 – JUST MICKEY & Laetitia Giovannelli
9 – BUNNY HOP & Jessica Collinson
10 – TRIPLE STAR HE’S SWEET AS (CR3) & Joshua Bremner

Pryde’s EasiFeed 1.25m Horse Championship (Part of Continental Cars Audi NZ Championship Series) AM5
1 – CAPATINO GNZ & Kate Hewlett
2 – GLENARA VINTAGE ROSE & Annabel Francis
3 – AIRTHREY RESOLUTION & Bob Bleakley
4 – FIRE BUG & Emma Gaze
5 – AIRBORNE MVNZ & Tristan Thomas
6 – LC SHOWTYM CASSINII & Vicki Wilson

CLASS 48 – Magnum Pony 95cm AM5 2 phase
1 – BMW SWEET CHILLI & Charlotte Wear
2 – GRIFFIN VALLEY & Lily Cawood
3 – FAR NORTH KAIMANAWA RUBY & Elsie Quarrie
4 – ARAZONA SHOW TIME & Colleen Crous
5 – CHANCE & Libby Berrington-Hume
6 – MY BAYBEE DOLL & Brooke Aldridge

CLASS 47 – Dr Feelgood Intro Pony 80cm AM5 2 phase
1 – TY GWYN CATALINA & Ella Bradley
2 – APATCHY OF KITFORD & Francesca Bishell
3 – CHANCE & Libby Berrington-Hume
4 – PICO BOO (CR3) & Izzy Jameson
5 – MASERATI II & Caira Manson

CLASS 35 – Virbac 1.35m Horse Grand Prix Super Series AM5
1 – DUNSTAN SPRINGFIELD & Katie Laurie
2 – BMW LITTORROAN & Michelle Wakeling
3 – ALL EXPENSES OF RENTON & Nakeysha Lammers
4 – GRAND COEUR 36 & Tom Tarver-Priebe
5 – KIWI MOTTO & Chloe Hansen

Maddren Homes Intro Pony 80cm AM5 2 phase
1 – TY GWYN CATALINA & Ella Bradley
2 – KAYCEE MANHATTEN & Isabel Devcich
3 – BETTY’S BOY (INTRO) & Charlotte Treneary
4 – HI HO TONTO & Madison Jackson
5 – THE SMARTEST COOKIE & Ginny Parker

Sponsors Charity Challenge Invitation Only

1 – CONTINENTAL CARS AUDI – HOLLYWOOD WANNABE & Megan Schischka
2 – THOROUGHBRED FLOATS – BINVERTER & Brayden Aarts
3 – THE HITS – LUEGO GNZ & Katie Laurie

FASTEST CLOCK TIME
1 – PUREPINE SHAVINGS – FRANGIPANNE DE TOXANDRIA & Samantha Morrison

Maddren Homes Intro Pony 75cm TA1 One Round
1 – APATCHY OF KITFORD & Francesca Bishell
2 – CUDGLEBAR RAZALA & Stacey Thompson
3 – MASERATI II & Caira Manson
4 – MONTE CARLO (CR2) & Abigyle Martin
5 – TRISTAR EPOCH & Olivia Hanrahan

PGG Wrightson Kumeu 1.05m Horse (Part of Continental Cars Audi NZ Championship Series) AM5
1 – STARLIGHT DAYTONA & Samantha Maguire
2 – GHOSTLY IMAGE & Sarah West
3 – DELTA FLEURDELISE & Kate Hewlett
4 – NGAHIWI INDIGO & Bryony Smith
5 – VALENTINA M & Mackenzie Parker
6 – DELTA FRONTIER & Alana Gilmore
7 – QUITE CONTRARY & Alexia Searchfield
8 – DELTA RICCARDO & Mackenzie Parker
9 – HR MOONBEAM & Sophie Fisher
10 – SPRINGWOOD MISS LILLY & Ben Weir
11 – DANCE ELITE & Sarah Revis

Maddren Homes Horse 1.00m AM5 2 phase
1 – SMITTEN & Nicholas Beal
2 – WAITANGI HOTSPOT & Georgia Sheard
3 – BMW FJOLA & Benjamin Beal
4 – DELTA LITTLE LION MAN & Isabelle Thorogood
5 – REDCLIFFS BLACK BIRD & Alana Gilmore

Aniwell Pony Grand Prix Super Series 1.15-1.20m AM5
1 – FIBER FRESH BG LENNOX & Briar Burnett-Grant
2 – GALAXY SAMURAI & Rylee Sheehan
3 – MISS MAE WEST & Sarah West
4 – ENVIOUS EDITION & Emma-Kate Wilson
5 – PINTARA PARK JACK FROST & Jessica Swailes
6 – LYNX & Georgia Young

Equine Performance Therapy Horse 90cm AM5
1 – CHARLIE CASH & Nadine McFadzien
2 – REDCLIFFS CHOCOLATE BOX (CR3) & Cerene Marsh
3 – DAUPHINE MS & Sascha Crossman
4 – BRAVEHEART & Eleisha Walls
5 – TRUE MONTE CARLO & Natalia Hall

Equissage Pony 1.10m Championship (Part of Continental Cars Audi NZ Championship Series) AM5
1 – FIBER FRESH KABO PONGO & Briar Burnett-Grant
2 – WINDVALE FARAZ & Natalia Lammers
3 – MF SPOT ON & Kirsty Browne
4 – KABO SILVER & Isabella Du Plessis
5 – GET THE BEAT & Senga Hickson
6 – REDCLIFFS KODAK MOMENT & Keira Page

 

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