With a massive line-up of 41, and 11 of them going through to the jump-off, it was a super win for Rachel Malcolm and her beautifully-bred Monte Carlo MVNZ in the AHD Ltd 6YO Horse of the Year.
Rachel says the Indoctro/Auburn Princess MVNZ gelding is a fun horse, and naturally quick, so she wasn’t daunted going into the Premier Arena for the second round against the clock. “I just tried to focus on myself, and tried to give him a forward but sensible ride, nothing too drastic,” she says.
But nevertheless, she shaved an impressive four seconds off the time of second-placed Samantha Peters on Cadillac NZPH (Jokus Latour).
“It’s been a great series this season, and a good stepping stone,” says Rachel, who is looking forward to moving up to the 7YO classes. Among the combination’s successes this season are the 6YO Breeder’s Final at Takapoto Estate, and the 6YO class at Equidays.
The Cambridge rider made a point of thanking the team around her, including her husband, family, great friend Tash Brooks, and Sean and Lisa Cubitt for their support and help.
Robert Steele was third on Two Eye See (One Eye/Mrs Grey), and Maurice Beatson fourth on Central Park (Euro Sport Centavos/Silk and Spice), who was bred by Imogen Neale.
Lucy Fell was fifth on the impressive Cardento gelding, Big & Rich, bred by her mother Jayne, and Jesse Linton sixth on another successful youngster by Euro Sport Centavos, Vitess (out of Diversity).
