Claudia Hay may not have been at the Bayleys National Young Horse Championship Show but she still rode off with one of the most coveted prizes . . . the Massie Stables sponsored leading stallion crown for Euro Sport Centavos.
The 18-year-old Hanoverian (by Escudo 19, out of Anabell, who is by Argentinus) was a top showjumper for Claudia, winning both the Silver Fern Stakes and Olympic Cup – as Showjumper of the Year – in 2015, and competing in World Cup qualifiers, before heading Stateside where they represented New Zealand at Nations Cup level.
“Even in the States where there would be different fences and atmosphere, I knew he would just rise to it. I could always rely on him and you see that coming through in his progeny.”
The horse has never had a refusal. “I feel very proud of him and it feels great to be associated with a horse like Centi. He is typey and the stronger the dam line the better as well. He has such a strong stamp and been across a really wide variety of mares, consistently leaving good reliable horses who are scopey and have a good mentality.”
Centi and Claudia had been in the United States for just five weeks when they were called up for the New Zealand Nations Cup team, as well as competing in the 4* Alan Wade Grand Prix where they had “a green rider rail in each and a foot in the water”.
Their campaign was cut short by an injury and a lack of funds meant they had to come home but it wasn’t before they caught the eye of many. “While in the US he was inspected and licensed by the prestigious Hanoverian, Oldenburg and SBS studbooks and his semen sold out quickly there.”
Claudia was absolutely thrilled to have Centi awarded the top gong. She and mum Vicki love nothing more than to see his progeny out and about competing with happy owners.
Centi was three when he moved to New Zealand and was produced by Claudia, who was a young rider, with Vicki as her coach. “We didn’t have flash facilities and there were no tricks or traps in his training,” says Claudia. “He just shows his true self, talent and heart, and I think that is why he is such an amazing sire. What you see is what you get.”
Interest has continued to be high in semen from the stallion. “He is great – he is still really fertile and very popular at stud. He’s in work at home and loves getting out for a hack or on the arena . . . anyone can ride him.”
Across the grades at the Young Horse Champs, Centi had connections with the winner of the UltraMox Six-Year-Old Championship Kingslea Centrose (by Euro Sport Centavos, out of Littrose, who is by Littorio), Riverhills Legend (by Euro Sport Centavos, out of Destiny, who is by Ranfurly), Matai Zarite (by Euro Sport Centavos, out of Matai Pedogree Moon, who is by Corofino II) who were fourth equal in the same class; Karlos QSH (by Euro Sport Centavos) who was fourth in the East Coast Performance Horses Five-Year-Old Championship; and Double J Typhoon (by Euro Sport Centavos, out of Double J Breeze, who is by Voltaire 2) who was sixth equal in the Matthews Hanoverians Seven-Year-Old Championship.
The Jumping Team – 16 December 2022