The showing action at the Land Rover Horse of the Year Show stepped up a notch on Wednesday with the coveted turnout classes kicking off a full programme of classes.
Auckland-based interior designer Philippa Whittaker took out this year’s prestigious Gee Whizz Memorial Equestrian Turnout aboard Julie Wylie-Parkinson’s stunning 14-year-old black warmblood cross gelding, Sparkling Galaxy, with local Hawke’s Bay rider Sue Reynolds and her exciting seven-year-old thoroughbred gelding Seattle, reserve.
It was the promise of more to come for Sue and Seattle, however, who returned later in the afternoon to win the hotly-contested RAS Livamol Thoroughbred Show Horse of the Year title for the second year running over a strong field of 17 quality thoroughbreds.
Vanessa Everton and RP Lady’s Honour finished runner-up and with it secured the RAS Livamol Thoroughbred Series which has been running nationwide across 44 A&P shows over the 2018/2019 season culminating at this event.
In the Wonder Memorial Equestrian Turnout for the pony combinations, the title went the way of Ashburton’s Natasha Waddell and the 10-year-old, Uptown Charlie Brown.
The South Island’s strong start to the show continued in the Youth or Girl Rider of the Year 17 years and under 21 years with Christchurch’s Kate Fleming securing the title riding Stephanie Wendelken’s Bewitched of Flaxmill, ahead of Natasha’s sister, Charlotte, on Torboy.
The Senior Rider of the Year meanwhile, was won by Auckland’s Jayna Dinneen riding her level 5 dressage horse Sansibar, with Natalie Short and Atmospheric runner-up.
Wednesday also featured the in-hand classes, with the Led Youngstock Show Horse of the Year, three years and under, won by Leesa Anderson and RP Providence.
There was a tight battle in the Led Adult Show Horse of the Year with the judges finding it hard to split Natacha Otto with Xant’e, and Fiona Honeyman’s Rosehill Park Hill Sapphire. In the end, the title was awarded to Natacha with Fiona having to settle for reserve.
In the Led Youngstock Pony of the Year, under three years, the title went to Cheyne Stanaway and KL High Fashion, with the Led Adult Pony of the Year going to Nicolette Butcher and Linden Realms of Glory just ahead of Temuka’s Sarah Cronin’s Chelton Fairy Lights, reserve.
