Party time at Taupo Christmas Classic

The Fiber Fresh Taupo Christmas Classic is the biggest show jumping event in the country – Horse of the Year aside – with around 800 horses taking part over the four days. It’s a show with a carnival atmosphere and loads of entertainment packaged around some fierce competition, with massive class numbers right up the height divisions including an impressive 22 in the feature Country TV World Cup (NZ) qualifier.

Meanwhile, rings two and three saw upwards of 140 combinations in the 1m to 1.20m classes, which made for some extraordinary organisational skills (and patience) from the tireless ring stewards.

Riders were thrilled with the wonderfully prepared and presented rings, which were decorated with a Christmas theme that a number of competitors enhanced by adorning themselves and/or their mounts with tinsel, Santa hats and fairy wings. Victory laps, meanwhile, were accompanied by Christmas music.

It was also a generous and much-appreciated gesture for naming rights sponsors Fiber Fresh to give every rider in the show a free feed bucket, complete with 2kg of Fiber Protect chaff.

The sand rings were regularly harrowed and watered, which was much needed after Thursday’s rather damp and drizzly day turned into howling gales on Friday, then blazing sun for the weekend. Rings one and two were on the grass, and there were no complaints about the footing here either.

Tash Brooks’ popular victory in the World Cup class with Kapattack (Kaapstad/Fanny Black) was a huge one for fans of off-the-track thoroughbreds – and proof, if more was needed, of the value of these gutsy equine athletes as sporthorses. But horses from many of the well-known breeding studs in New Zealand were to the fore over the weekend, with good wins and placings going to a number of NZ Performance Horses, Double J Stud, Mount View Sport Horses and Goldengrove Stud-bred mounts.

RESULTS:

Horse Championship 1.25m – AM5 Sponsored By: Wairakei Resort

1.  Silver Lady – Greta van den Brink
2.  McMillans Fredrika RE – Claire Wilson
3.  SK Halo – Alyvia James
4.  Waitangi Surf – Oliver Croucher
5.  Obeone Kanobe – Nicholas O’Leary

Horse Championship 1.05cm – AM5 Sponsored By: The Cable Guy

1.  The Normanator – Emma Bettridge
2.  Valentina M – Mackenzie Parker
3.  Bunny Hop – Jessica Collinson
4.  Ngahiwi Indigo – Bryony Smith
5.  Oomoo – Zhana Gage

Premium Thoroughbreds Taupo Classic 1.40m

1.  Caretino Jewel – Vicki Wilson
2.  Carlo – Nicola Hammond
3.  Lt Holst Andrea – Brooke Edgecombe
4.  Dunstan Lucca – Katie Laurie
5.  Dollar Roll – William Willis

Horse Championship 95cm – AM5 Sponsored By: Huka Honda

1. Byways Starfire – Abby Miller
2. Bizzie Beware – Jessica Vokes
3. Smitten – Nicholas Beal
4. BMW Fjola – Benjamin Beal
5. Off The Hook – Georgina Nicholson

Horse Championship 1.15m – AM5 Sponsored By: Ravensdown

1. Tennessee Waltz – Carol Stewart
2. Showtym Stardust – Ellie Bestwick
3. Automatic – Billie Scotson
4. LC Talent – Karen Riddle
5. Double J Promise – Karen Bruce

Equissage NZ Pony Grand Prix 1.30m

1. Tiger Tale LS – Ally Carson
2. Simply Samantha HH – Olivia Dalton
3. Aorangi Ragtime – Olivia Ahlborn
4. Spot You Later – Parys Marshall

Pony Jigsaw 1.10m

1. = Captain Oates – Ginny Gibbs and Ballerina – Tess Gordon
2. = Burma Milly – Nash Jordan and Tuis Tinkerbelle – Samantha Megchelse

3= Lynx – Georgia Young and Showtym Fantasy – Isabel Devcich

Great Lake Taupo Challenge – Final Round – 1.15m

1. Tres Bonne – Madison Smith
2. Fiber Fresh Cormina Obolensky – Briar Burnett-Grant
3. Lowenbehold – Georgia Percy
4. Links Hot Gossip – Nicola Hammond

Pony Jigsaw 1.00m

1. = Lord Jimmy – Sophie Forster and Pendarras Maxamillion – Lily Cawood
2. = Alonzo Kola – Jessica Parr and Showtym Falcon – Aimee Collinson
3. = Galaxy Disco Fever – Mackenzie Parker and The Smartest Cookie – Ginnie Parker

Pony Jigsaw 90cm

1. = The Cookie Monster – Grace Parker & Showtym Falcon – Aimee Collinson
2. =Dakota Spice – Zara Cross and Alonzo Kola – Jessica Parr

Cheleken Open Pony 6 Bar – winner takes all – Phantom Warrior – Emma Watson

Canter For Cancer Open Pony Mini Prix – 2 Rounds 1.15m

1. Burma Milly – Nash Jordan
2. Captain Oates – Ginny Gibbs
3. Tallyho Mystic – Lilly Carpenter
4. Easy As – Brooke Hawthorne

Country TV World Cup Grand Prix 1.40 – 1.60m

1. Kapattack – Natasha Brooks
2. Esteban MVNZ – Carissa Mccall
3. Dunstan On The Point Eve – Katie Laurie
4. Sinatra II – Tess Clark
5. Ulysses NZPH – Lily Tootill

Horse 1.10m Sponsored By: Equestrian Concepts

Div 1

1. Fareal – Graeme Isaacson
2. Kiwi Buzz – Nash Jordan
3. Lady Bug – Emma Gaze
4. Bebop Aluba – Marcus Rose

Div 2

1. Bear Essentials – Amanda Steele
2. Bunny Hop – Jessica Collinson
3. Valentina M – Mackenzie Parker
4. The Normanator – Emma Bettridge

Horse 1.00m Sponsored By: Reyna Equestrian

Div 1

1. Belmont Bolero – Rowan Dixon
2. Charlton Xtreme – Philippa Fourie
3. Silver Illusion – Laura Bon
4. Valentina M – Mackenzie Parker

Div 2

1. The Normanator – Emma Bettridge
2. Banbury Biscotti – India Causebrook
3. Ghostly Image – Sarah West
4. Cliebrig Cleopatra – Alice Barrow

Div 3

1. Relish – Lauren Garland
2. Midway Paris (C3) – Aimee Janssen
3. Ruby Rose – Rhiarna Russell
4. Baloo (C2) – Mikaela Van Den Heuvel

Zilco Open Pony Championship 1.05m

1. Crown Hill Star – Anna Craig
2. Wilful – Madison Jackson
3. Spirit Of Liberty – Isabella Narracci
4. Cha Ching – Sasha Kyd

Zilco Open Pony Championship 95cm

1. Brenwood Sampson – Madison Jackson
2. Showtym Mamma Mia – Zack Robertson
3. Shes Something Else – Lilly Carpenter
4. Midnight (C3) – Aleisha Bradly

Zilco Open Pony Championship 85cm

1. Mount Tullock Encore – Bayley Weal
2. Order Of The Phoenix – Zoe Booth
3. Motu Magic – Anna Craig
4. Kingslea Dundeal (C2) – Megan Bradley

Mitavite 6 Yr Old Series 1.20m

Joint winners

• Lady Gaga G – Oliver Edgecombe
• Le Bam – Danielle Maurer
• Letano – Ally Carson
• Double J Breeze On – Karen Bruce
• Be Mine NZPH – Duncan McFarlane
• Kingslea Couture – Catherine Cameron
• Lillyberg Sl – Catherine Cameron
• Roman Warrior – Maurice Beatson
• Yalambis Gucci Girl – Danielle Maurer

Twin Peaks Open Pony 1.25m

1. Jakaranda – Amanda Steele
2. Taylor Made Gift – Billie Mentzer
3. Redcliffs Bill – Georgia Bouzaid
4. Showtym Endeavour – Deanna Horsburgh

FMG Young Rider 1.35m – AM5

1. Grand Caballo – Mikayla Herbert
2. Romeo NZPH – Sharnaye Lammers
3. Oporaes Jackamoe  – Laura Inkster
4. All Expenses Of Renton – Nakeysha Lammers

East Coast Performance Horses 5 Yr Old Series 1.

Joint Winners:

• Cartoon NZPH – Sally Steiner
• Delicious Hm – Emily Hayward-Morgan
• Double J Beyonce – Georgia Massie
• Whimsical WDS – Katie Hercock
• Double J Promise – Karen Bruce
• Indeed – Matt Irvine
• Commander NZPH – Helen Kippen
• Lara CSNZ – Victoria Rattray

Pony 1.05m – TYOL Sponsored By: Huka Honda

Division 1

1. Apache One In A Million – Olivia Newsom
2. Just Nuts – Olivia Newsom
 Ballerina – Tess Gordon
3. The Dreamer – Tyla Hackett

Division 2

1. Apache – Chelsea Burdan
2. Pioneer Jade – Isabella Hibell
3. Spirit Of Liberty – Isabella Narracci
4. Ellangowan Spy – Liv Teixeira

Pony 1.15m – TYOL Sponsored By: Huka Honda

1. Just Nuts – Olivia Newsom
2. Nitro Circus – Tyla Hackett
3. Spirit Of Liberty – Isabella Narracci
4. Brandii Snap II – Tara Gower

Pony 95cm- TYOL Sponsored By: Huka Honda

Division 1

1. Lord Jimmy – Sophie Forster
2. Little Clown – Luke Myers
3. Forgetmeknot – Parys Marshall
4. El Hidalgo – Kendall Turner

Division 2

1. BMW Sweet Chilli – Charlotte Wear
2. Renington Desert Princess – Isabelle Saxton
3. Showtym Falcon – Aimee Collinson
4. Nickelodeon – Jordan Smythe
5. Rookie Rider 1.15m – AM5

Rookie Rider 1.15m Sponsored By: Rose & Thorne

Division 1

1. Showtym Levado GNZ – Kirsty Wagstaff
2. Bellagio GNZ – Maggie Guy
3. Classic Arrow – Michaela Kennedy
4. Quiz GNZ (C) – Sophie Littlewood

Division 2

1. Cosmic Cowboy – Laoise McCarthy
2. Meersbrooke Je Suis – Mikayla Johnson
3. Bjorking – Emma-Kate Wilson
4. Cleo Parfaite – Ella Poole-Crowe

Horse 1.20 – 2ph Sponsored by Grill @ 42

Division 1.

1. Striking Gladiator – Elise Stables
2. Jack The Lad – William Lyles
3. Kiwi Rocket – Oliver Croucher
4. Spring Fling – Andrea Kewish

Division 2

1. Mr Harrison – Rebecca Porter
2. = Brenwood Pure Blonde – Briar Woolley and Roxy NZPH – Tom Tarver-Priebe
3. Jitterbug II – Emma Gaze
4. Kl Trot On – Paula Mussen

Peppers On The Point Horse Power – Speed 1.40m

1. Solano – Glen Beal
2. Eve Saint Laurent – Lucy Olphert
3. McMillans Tipsey – Claire Wilson
4. Dunstan On The Point Sandy – Katie Laurie
5. Forest Hill – Geordie Bull

Horse 1.05m- 2ph Sponsored By: Taupo Native Nurseries

Division 1

1. Bunny Hop – Jessica Collinson
2. Little Cree – Rosie Bates
3. Bebop Aluba – Marcus Rose
4. Silver Illusion – Laura Bon
5. Mangatu Bandito – Phoebe Smith

Division 2

1. Velocity II – Lauren Garland
2. Kingslea Kiwi – Francesca Florence
3. The Gambler – Lucy Collin
4. Oomoo – Zhana Gage
5. Redcliffs B&W Pure Heart – Kate Hewlett

Division 3

1. Dardanelle Ms – Keean Cooper
2. Double J Beyonce – Georgia Massie
3. Cross My Heart HSH – Kenji Nisizuma
4. Ngatamahine JJ Airtime – Jenny Bevege
5. Jailhouse Rockin – Aimee Janssen

Lets Bale Pro Am Rider 1.25m – Am5

1. Treasure Blue NZPH – Lucia Voss
2. Woodland Bug – Emma Gaze
3. Capatino GNZ – Kate Hewlett
4. Athena GNZ – Rosie Commons
5. Letty – Caroline Sutherland

Dudley Mechanical Pony Power – Speed 1.25m

1. Mr Acho – Ruby Mason
2. Hopeful Illusion – Olivia Dalton
3. Simply Samantha HH – Olivia Dalton
4. Soleado – Emelia Forsyth
5. Showtym Endeavour – Deanna Horsburgh

Pony 85cm – Take your Own Line: Sponsored By: Huka Honda

1. Dakota – Woody Hosking
2. Jiggysaw – Isabella Hibell
3. Midnight – Aleisha Bradly…
4. Kingslea Dundeal – Megan Bradley
5. Miss Bubbles – Amelia Lockhart

Caledonian Holdings Amateur Rider 1.15m

1. Avichii AF – Emma Deadman
2. Gazelle – Rebecca Roigard
3. WP Stella – Tracy Mason
4. Barcelona – Tanya Dickey
5. TLB The Waipoao Edition – Torey Bartlett

Cortaflex 7 Yr Old Series Am5 1.30m

1. Graffiti MH – Melody Matheson
2. Popeye – Jesse Linton
3. Athena NZPH – Daniel Blundell
4. Absolute NZPH – Natasha Imeson
5. Capatino GNZ – Kate Hewlett

Main-Events University Series Horse 1.30m – Am 5

1. Conyers – Melody Matheson
2. Kiwi Jet – Rebecca Porter
3. Ngahiwi Warrior – Bryony Smith
4. Larinium LS – Georgia Massie…
5. Frangipanne De Toxandria – Samantha Morrison

Horse 1.30m – Am 5 Sponsored By: Longspring Sport Horses

1. McMillans Clearmont MVNZ – Simon Wilson
2. Dunstan Eye Catcher – Katie Laurie
3. Conyers – Melody Matheson
4. Fiber Fresh Ngahiwi Telephonic – Briar Burnett-Grant
5. Kiwi Jet – Rebecca Porter

Horse 1.00m – 2ph Sponsored By: Lake Furnishings

Division 1

1. Ghostly Image – Sarah West
2. Hollywood Gem – Chloe Janssen
3. Oomoo – Zhana Gage
4. Quiz GNZ (C) – Sophie Littlewood
5. Belmont Bolero – Rowan Dixon

Division 2

1. Banbury Biscotti – India Causebrook
2. Relish – Lauren Garland
3. Midway Paris (C3) – Aimee Janssen
4. Foxglove – Grace McColgan
5. Limitless Time – Aliesha Malcolm

Lincoln University Junior Rider 1.2 Am5

1. Fiber Fresh Cormina Obolensky – Briar Burnett-Grant
2. Waitangi Surf – Oliver Croucher
3. Puma Des Hayettes – Brayden Aarts
4. Stone River Goodness Gracious – Olivia Forster
5. Silver Lady – Greta Van Den Brink

Pony 1.15m – 2ph

1. Mr McCloud – Katie Bridgeman
2. Redcliffs Bill – Georgia Bouzaid
3. Easy As – Brooke Hawthorne
4. Mangakaraa Byron – Natasha Forsythe
5. Captain Nemo – Charlotte Amos

Pony 1.05m – 2ph

1. Ballerina – Tess Gordon
2. Redcliffs Bill – Georgia Bouzaid
3. Apache One In A Million – Olivia Newsom
4. Dare To Dream – Natasha Forsythe
5. Spotified – Maddison Greatorex

Horse 1.10m – 2ph Sponsored By: Stone Country Dairies

1. = Limousine – Tim Bruce and Rewetu Lad – Paige Mackay
2. = Tres Bonne – Madison Smith and Rags To Riches – Rewa Schofer
3. = Old King Cole – Anneke Van Rooyen, 3= Kabo Marmite – Charlotte Amos
4. = TM. Marjay – Blake Davis, 4= Red Socks – Sally Kincheff

Fiber Fresh Welcome Stakes – Horse 1.40m – Am5 Sponsored By: Fiber Fresh

1. Dunstan On The Point Eve – Katie Laurie
2. Ngahiwi Showtym Premier – Amanda Wilson
3. Esteban MVNZ – Carissa McCall
4. Dollar Roll – William Willis
5. KK Tane Mahuta – Paula Mussen

Pony 95cm – 2ph

1. Lord Jimmy – Sophie Forster
2. Nickelodeon – Jordan Smythe
3. Golly – Woody Hosking
4. Greedy Mcgready – Isabella Narracci
5. Kala Bella – Michaela Kennedy

Pony 85cm – 2ph

1. Silver Rhinestone – Georgia Cutler
2. My Secret Sam – Kate Hardy
3. Dakota – Woody Hosking
4. Mount Tullock Encore – Bayley Weal
5. Golly – Woody Hosking

Horse 90cm – 2ph Sponsored By: Matthews Hanoverians

1. = Hollywood Gem – Chloe Janssen and The Wolfwhistler – Tayla Wilson
2. = Midway Paris – Aimee Janssen and Charlie Cash – Nadine Mcfadzien
3. = The Gambler – Lucy Collis and  Take It To The Max – Jaime Triggs
4. = Foxglove – Grace McColgan and  Laramie Shaphire – Kim Wallace

Horse 1.30m – 2ph Sponsored By: APL

1. Caretino Jewel – Vicki Wilson
2. Dunstan Eye Catcher – Katie Laurie
3. Lavello – Daniel Blundell
4. Dunstan On The Point Eve – Katie Laurie
5. Ulysses NZPH – Lily Tootill

Horse 1.20m – 2ph   Sponsored By: Rabobank

Division 1

1. Wentworth Corolena St – Vicki Wilson
2. Caretino Jewel – Amanda Wilson
3. La Perla – Matt Irvine
4. Hawkesdale Remy – Sophie Littlewood
5. Snow Storm – Mikayla Herbert

Division 2

• Ngahiwi Blue Moon – Lucy Bull
• Athena Gnz – Rosie Commons
• Delta Fasteuex – Oliver Croucher
• Billy Sparky – Greta van den Brink
• Gold Locks – Maurice Beatson

Rose & Thorne Leading Lady Rider

• 1st Katie Laurie
• 2nd Melody Matheson

Rose & Thorne Leading Girl Rider

• 1st Olivia Newsom
• 2nd Sophie Forster

Kiwiwool Terrier Racing: Winner Bexley, the three-year-old Border Terrier X Jack Russell Owned By Senga Hickson (Defending Champions!).