The sun shone today for the opening of the 2020 Land Rover Horse of the Year Show, with picture-perfect conditions at the Hawke’s Bay Showgrounds.
The biggest class in the Premier Arena was the IRT1.40m, which served as a qualifier for the Lady Rider and the Young Rider of the Year as well as being a great warm-up for the other leading combinations, and had a large starting line-up of 52.
There were 19 clears, but a number of those riders chose to withdraw at that point, saving their horses for the big week of jumping ahead.
Thirteen elected to jump off though, and the win went to Samantha Morrison and Frangipanne de Toxandria, a 15-year-old Belgium warmblood mare. Lisa Coupe was second on Lotte, a mare by Corofino II out of a Voltaire II mare, and Rachel Malcolm was third on Monte Carlo MVNZ.
The Amateur Rider qualifier was held in the morning, and was won by Anna Kincheff and Red Socks, a good three seconds quicker in the jump-off than second-placed Tanya Hansen and Euro Champagne, with Lidy Loffler third on Parafino.
In other show jumping action today, Mathew Dickey won the large 1.30m class on Absolute NZPH, with Emma Gaze second on Kowhai Bug, and Clarke Johnstone third on Balmoral Sensation.
Ally Carson had an impressive win in the Aspiring Rider aged 17-21 at 1.25m level on Letano, with the only double clear.
Briar Burnett-Grant and Fiber Fresh Casallita won the horse 1.20m class, Sophie Littlewood and Peak Wood Quiz GNZ the horse 1.10-1.20m, and Emma Singleton and Cola Pop the horse 1.10m. Caitlin Moran and Its a Gamble won the pony 1.10m.
Waikato won the Saba Sam Shield; congratulations to Georgia Bouzaid, Rylee Sheehan, Keira Page and Tara Gower on a brilliant performance, managed and coached by Jaime Tiller.
The equitation classes were also held today, with Jaime taking out the horse 1.15m section on Casanova Xtreme, Leeshelle Small and A Little Bit of Spice the pony 90cm class for riders under 17, and Liam Rutland on Just Nuts the 90cm class for riders under 13.
In dressage, Rotorua’s Kellie Hamlett scored a great win in the Advanced Medium 5B class on her seven-year-old Astek Geronimo, on 69.73%, with second-placed Tessa van Bruggen on Fiorenza and third-placed Vanessa Way on NRM Timbermill Prequel also breaking the 69% barrier.
In the afternoon, the oval hosted the Medium 4B test, and this was won by Nicky Daulton and HPH Phelix Phelcious, on a score of 67.667%. Amanda Berridge and GS O Jay were second on 67.389%, and Debbie Barke third on RM Suzie Q.
There were only very small entries in the Young Horse classes; just four lined up in the 4YO class this evening, and it was won by Cooper Oborn and the beautiful stallion CDS Donstar Donnerubin) on a whopping score of 81%.
Three combinations contested the 5YO, and the win went to Bridgitt Barclay on Kameroan De Jeu (De Niro), on 72.2%.
The 6- and 7-year-old classes are scheduled for tomorrow.
Showing section
Tuesday is the day for the working hunter and hunter classes over fences in the showing section of HOY.
Local rider Luke Dee won the Working Hunter of the Year aboard Merran Hain’s indomitable 19-year-old thoroughbred Untouchable for the third year in succession. The pair also won the Hunter Horse of the Year over fences title.
Whangarei teen Charlotte van der Zwan (13) continued her successful run with her eight-year-old brown mare, Astek Gymsee, finishing runner-up in both the Working Hunter and Hunter Horse of the Year classes, having earlier taken out the Rising Star Horse Working Hunter of the Year title.
In the ponies, Canterbury’s Harriet Laing (15) and the ever-consistent Triple Star Picture Puzzle made the journey north worthwhile taking out the Working Hunter Pony of the Year, with Wairarapa’s Max Falloon (14) and Farleigh Catterick runner-up. Freya Digggle and Komets Victory won the Hunter Pony of the Year over fences, with reserve to Brooke Bennett and Tirohanga Touch Wood.
Peter Hill and Clunbury Cash won the Open Hunter Horse over fences and the horse wire jump, with the pony wire jump going to Tinesha Benson and Mr Fancy Phoenix.
RESULTS:
Working Hunter Horse of the Year: Luke Dee, Untouchable, 1; Charlotte van der Zwan, Astek Gymsee, 2; Rebecca Conole, Private Benjamin III, 3; Peter Hill, Clunbury Cash, 4.
Rising Star Horse Working Hunter of the Year: Charlotte van der Zwan, Astek Gymsee, 1; Natasha Forsythe, Sentorian, 2; Justine Kyrke- Smith, Ruler of the Army, 3; Anna Wood, Diplomat MVNZ, 4.
Wire Jump Horses: Peter Hill, Clunbury Cash, 1; Anna Wood, Diplomat MVNZ, 2; Charlotte Mogg, Tom Hanks, 3; Luke Dee, Untouchable, 4.
Hunter Horse of the Year: Luke Dee, Untouchable, 1; Charlotte van der Zwan, Astek Gymsee, 2; Peter Hill, Clunbury Cash, 3; Sharon Goodwin, Showtym Duchess, 4.
Working Hunter Pony of the Year: Harriet Laing, Triple Star Picture Puzzle, 1; Max Falloon, Farleigh Catterick, 2; Vienna Wilson, Ashbury Robin Hood, 3; Brooke Bennett, Tirohanga Touch Wood, 4.
Hunter Pony of the Year: Freya Diggle, Komets Victory, 1; Brooke Bennett, Tirohanga Touch Wood, 2; Alice Crofskey, Gangster Squirrel, 3, Georgia Weaver, Dipped in Silver, 4.
Wire Jump Ponies: Tinesha Benson, Mr Fancy Phoenix, 1; Georgie Weaver, Dipped In Silver, 2; Chole Schischka, Ridewood Mama Mia, 3; Hollie Falloon, Farleigh Catterick, 4.
