Vicki Wilson & Millionaire VWNZ – Photo by Julia Murch Photography
Julie Davey and her lovely Just D were the standout winners of the Property Brokers Grand Prix at the 148th Poverty Bay A&P Show this weekend after jumping the only clear round. Five other combinations finished in equal second place after picking up 4 faults. Julie said that the track was a bit tougher than she thought it would be and although there were no bad rounds, it did take some riding. She was full of praise about the courses from the visiting Australian FEI level 3 course designer – Graeme Watts – saying that all of his courses were good and he set down the challenges of using a few different variations in lines that NZ riders may not be used to. The entries in the big classes were strong with many top combinations making the trip before the opening World Cup at Hawke’s Bay next week, where Graeme is also building.
While Gisborne had a lot of rain prior to the show, Julie said that the ground was perfect on the last day thanks to the hard working committee. The hospitality of the Gisborne Area Group was also commended. Thanks to Leaderbrand and Zeafruit, every competitor received a gift bag full of local produce. As Julie said, “It’s a nice touch, they don’t have to do it – it would have taken a lot of time and cost, and all of the riders were very appreciative”.
Another plus from making the big trip over to Gisborne was the prize money. Gisborne is renowned for its good prize money, and the riders are very grateful.
Julie has both her 9 year old grey mares; Just D & LT Holst Freda entered in the Hawke’s Bay World Cup, and all going well she will aim them both for the FEI World Cup Series this season.
Tara Gower picked up a win in two classes, the FMG Young Rider with Double J Image and the Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider with Aikaterine. Bernard Denton with Electra NZPH won the Harrison Lane Pro-Am and Daniel Webb took first place in the NZPH & A1 Equine Reproduction 7 Year Old Breeding Series with his homebred WSJ Cartalusa. Annie Moffett scored another AMS Saddlery Pony Grand Prix win aboard the consistent Korokipo Kid.
Across the North Island at Equifest, Vicki Wilson made a strong comeback from injury at her first show since dislocating her knee three weeks ago. Whilst they had an extremely busy show with four clinics each day, plus night shows, they also had success in the show jumping arena. Her lovely homebred Millionaire VWNZ jumped the only clear in the Property Brokers Horse Grand Prix, picking up just 1 time fault. Vicki couldn’t speak more highly about her horse, saying that he didn’t start competing until he was 8 years old and while he has had some good wins at 1.30m+ over the last 3 years, he has only jumped at 3-5 shows a season. “We are so thrilled with the win today, he’s a very sensitive horse, but has a huge heart. He was very deserving of the win; it was a wonderful show with great rounds that had good technical lines and questions”.
Empress VWNZ – who is out of the same dam (Showtym Girl) as Millionaire VWNZ – had a good win in the Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider, expertly piloted by Jaimee Whittaker, finishing some five seconds ahead of second place.
Helen McNaught on Double Whoopy won the Harrison Lane Pro-Am with the only double clear, Sophia Blackbourn on LT Holst Zalato Blue won the FMG Young Rider. Kiani Taylor and Cash Money rose to the top of a five way jump off in the Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider and Samantha Wakeling on BMW Sharpshooter won the AMS Saddlery Pony Grand Prix.
Chelsey Hawthorn and Destiny’s Resolution winning the Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider Series at the Shots Photography Grand Prix at Woodhill Sands – Photo by Shots Photography
Woodhill Sands hosted the Shots Photography Grand Prix Show which was a great success. Olivia Glen and Coconella won the Harrison Lane Pro-Am after a hotly contested jump off. Chelsey Hawthorn and Destiny’s Resolution were the winners of the Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider and Anna Wade with Carolina took out the Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider.
Ashleigh Smail and PL Diamond in the Rough – Winner of the Harrison Lane Pro Am at Otago Spring Show – Photo by Captured by Bella
Down south, despite having all four seasons in one day, the Otago Spring Show was a great success for the Petticoat Lane Performance Horses (National Sponsors of the Show Hunter Adult Equitation Series) bred horses. PL Diamond in the Rough (Ashleigh Smail) jumped the only clear for the win in the Harrison Lane Pro-Am, and PL Fox d’Amour (Maygen Gubb) also jumped the only clear for the win in the Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider. Jessica Hore and Beaumont Birdie won the FMG Young Rider and Kate Beattie won the Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider.
For full results Poverty Bay A&P, Equifest and Otago Spring Show head to
https://www.main-events.com/events
For full results Shots Photography GP Shows Woodhill Sands head to
The Jumping Team – 16 October 2023