The sun was shining, and it was a perfect start to the 2019 Land Rover Horse of the Year Show in Hastings.
The first titles were awarded in the showing sections, where Luke Dee won Working Hunter of the Year on Merran Hain’s evergreen Untouchable. Taylor Burnett and WPS Vavoom were runners-up, and won the first $500 cash prize in the New Zealand Warmblood Association bonanza, a great result for the rider and the horse’s owner/breeder, Duncan Norrie. WPS Vavoom is by Voltaire II out of Eminem xx by Craftsman xx.
In the pony ring, the consistent combination of Michaelee Head and Chantilly Lace II came up trumps to win the Working Hunter Pony of the Year.
The purebred Welsh in-hand exhibit of the year went to Fenncourage Chirons Touch, for Amy Vujcich. Ty Gwyn Royal Monarch, with Tracee Powell, was the part-bred Welsh In hand exhibit of the year.
The show jumping highlight was the prestigious Saba Sam Shield, which is a two-round area competition for ponies. It was won by the classy team from Tasman-West Coast (Kirk Magner and Awatuna Louis Vivant), Ella Rae-Wood (Tallyho Primrose), Madeline Woods (Galaxy Masterpiece), and Meg Bissett (Freestyle Twist & Shout).
Second went to Auckland (Tyla Hacket/The Dreamer, Katie Bridgeman/Tallyho Scoundrel, Emma Noble-Campbell/Whakapirau Cherry Ripe and Aimee Collinson/Moonlight Glow).
Canterbury was third, and Taranaki fourth.
The biggest jumping class was an open 1.40m, used by many of the big guns as a warm-up. It was won by Alex Loiselle and Bandito NZPH, after a six-way jump-off. Julie Davey was second on Joligne De Carmel, and Laura Inkster third on Oporaes Jackamoe.
Clarke Johnstone won the 1.30 class on Watermill Gleneagle.
In the dressage, Gaylene Lennard won 5C with her gorgeous Jax Johnston, on 70.569%, from Wendi Williamson and Bon Jovi MH. However, Wendi won class 4C on Don Vito MH, scoring 74.189%, with Haydee Wells-Parmenter second on Royal Dream.
