Dawn of a new star in show hunter

Dawn and her rider Jo Craddock certainly showed they are the new stars and even history-makers in the show hunter arena when they cleaned up both the Amateur and Open Show Hunter Land Rover Horse of the Year titles on Friday afternoon. We believe this is the first time anyone has won both titles in the same year on the same horse.

The Amateur title was the first of the day and the first-ever for Jo, from Waimauku, Auckland, and as well as the title, she won the Denise Crispe Memorial Trophy. It has been 10 years since Denise, a keen and successful show hunter, died unexpectedly, and Jo is the ninth person to win the lovely trophy donated in her memory.

Jo’s daughter Jaimie Botha was in the call-back for the AHD Ltd Category A Pony Show Hunter of the Year at the same time as Jo was in her own call-back in the Amateur, so Jo was delighted to discover that Jaimie finished fourth.

Dawn is a Hanoverian warmblood mare by Dream Boy out of Antipodes, by Allermund, and was bred by Louise Blair. Jo enjoys being coached by Tors Rattray.

She didn’t start competing in equestrian until she was 24; she was too busy training and competing as a swimmer before then, representing New Zealand at World Swimming Games and winning national titles. She doesn’t swim now – “too busy with horses!”

When Jo then went on to win the Open Show Hunter of the Year, she was quite overwhelmed. “I am pretty stoked to beat anyone, so to win today…”  She started the call-back second-to-last, meaning that she was second after the first round. Last year’s winners, Hillman Hunter and Abbey Robinson, were first at that stage, but Abbey admitted she “got a bit too close to a few” in the deciding round. Canterbury’s Kate Cavanagh was third on Vibrance, capping off a good show after winning the six-year-old show jumping title with Wallflower.

A special mention must be made of Merran Hain who turned 74 yesterday and competed on Untouchable, finishing eighth.

Junior Show Hunter of the Year 1m max was won by 18-year-old Sally Ward from Waipukurau with her gorgeous gelding Paradox. Paradox is a St James station horse who Sally purchased from Melanie Morris four years ago.  Sally was still processing the win at the presentation. “I didn’t think this would happen,” she says. She has competed before at HOY, and been placed but never won a title.

Also of note in the Junior title was Claudia Thomas, who finished second and third with her two horses. Claudia, from Rerewhakaaitu (near Rotorua) won the title here last year on Kinnordy Go Girl who was in third place today, with Time’ll Tell in second.

Molly Smith, with the ever-reliable (and decidedly gorgeous) Little Mindy Lou won the AHD Ltd Category A Pony Show Hunter of the Year. This is the first time nine-year-old Molly, who comes from Cave, South Canterbury, has been to HOY so is very excited with the title win. The pony has been sold; in fact, she was bought back to the event by the new owner, eight-year old Holly Robertson, especially for Molly to compete on her. The Robertsons have had the pony for two months and have been loving doing everything from beach rides to pony club with her; they even won Reserve Champion at the New Plymouth show recently. Holly ended up grooming for Molly and looking after Little Mindy Lou throughout the weekend, a great learning opportunity for her.

Molly, as cool as a cucumber, says that her plan for the call back was to “just jump around the fences and do my best.”  Molly will miss her little pony, but is excited about the future; the family recently purchased Sushi from Caitlin Adams with plans to compete at Grand Prix level.

Penny Borthwick, from Masterton, rode Ashbury Robin Hood to win the Category B Pony Show Hunter of the Year (80cm). This is Penny’s first title, although she has competed at the show before. She also won the show jumping equitation prize on Tuesday.

The pony is a Welsh-cross, bred by Sue Burton, and is 14 years old.  Penny says she does “everything” on him and has had him for three years, but it is now time for him to go to a new owner.

Triple Star Picture Puzzle was the winner of the Category C Pony Show Hunter of the Year (90cm) for Harriet Laing from Leeston, Canterbury. “I’ve won some South Island titles, but have never won a Horse of the Year title, despite having been a few times,” says Harriet.  She has been runner-up with ‘Dixie’ twice before, so the whole family was “absolutely rapt” when the title was awarded. Mum (Anna), Dad (Andrew), sister (Georgie) and grandmother (Diana) were all there to enjoy the moment, and were glad they had made the big trip up. They are heading home after Harriet has competed in the working hunter classes on Sunday.

Also on hand was Dixie’s previous owner, Frankee Middleton, who is delighted that her pony “who had won everything else” has finally nailed the title.

Well done to all the Show Hunters, a friendly and relaxed crew overseeing some top rate competitions.

Photos will be available from Pegasus Communication‘s website in due course.