Andrew Nicholson has taken control at the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event this morning after two brilliant clear cross country rounds putting him into first and second.

The world’s number one ranked eventer sits on his dressage scores of 38 penalty points aboard Quimbo (owned by Deborah Sellar) and 40.8 on Calico Joe. Team-mate Jonelle Richards and The Deputy (owned by Lucy Sangster and Mr and Mrs Tim Morice), in their first-ever Kentucky start, are seventh after an impressive clear cross country, with just 2.4 time penalties, to sit on 55.1.

Nicholson had plenty of praise for Quimbo, rating the cross country this morning in their first four star start together as probably his “most exciting ride ever”.

“He is unbelievable,” said an elated Nicholson. “For the first time at this level, he is just amazing.”

Calico Joe also made the cross country look easy, but Nicholson says he expected that from one of his more experienced mounts.

“It’s been a great day for the sport. The weather conditions were ideal for riding cross country, the grounds are superb and the horses just love to gallop on it.”

Nicholson had promised he he would be riding Quimbo like a “hardened four star performer with a chance of winning”, and he did just that.

But there were still challenges aplenty for others on the Derek di Grazia-designed cross country course. Of the 42 starters, seven were eliminated and five retired – including overnight leader William Fox-Pitt (Great Britain) aboard Chilli Morning.

The show jumping tomorrow morning (NZ time) will decide the winners, and Nicholson says he “expects” Quimbo to do his job, although it is a discipline that sometimes challenges Calico Joe.

Sitting in third spot behind Nicholson’s two horses is Buck Davidson Jnr (USA) with Ballynoe Castle RM who has 45.2, with Fox-Pitt and Sea Cookie TSF on 46.2 in fourth, giving the Kiwi a rail in hand.

Nicholson is chasing not just victory at Kentucky, but points in the HSBC FEI Classics series, which he is currently leading.

The Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event is the Western Hemisphere’s only four star three day event. It features the world’s best horses and riders vying for their share of $US250,000 in prize money as well as the chance of winning $US350,000 for anyone who can win Kentucky, Mitsubishi Motors Badminton and Land Rover Burghley Four Star Events in succession.

For more information on the event, head to www.rk3de.org.

The best young riders from around New Zealand will gather in Hastings to compete in the New Zealand Pony Club Horse Trials Teams Championships this weekend.

Competition in the annual event begins on Friday (26th April) at the Equestrian Park at Bridge Pa with teams of six riders from each of the 16 Pony Club areas invited to take part in the New Zealand Champs. The teams will compete over three days in the disciplines of dressage, cross country and showjumping.

Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule says “This event will bring 180 competitors along with team managers, coaches, parents and supporters into the Hastings district for a total of five days. Local businesses stand to benefit greatly from the influx of visitors and, once again, the equestrian fraternity will provide a boost to the regional economy.” 

“The Hawke’s Bay organisers of the champs have had the foresight to incorporate non-championship classes in the event for the first time. This will give more riders the opportunity to be involved in the Pony Club Champs and create an even bigger event. We hope that this will help grow the sport of horse trials in which our country has forged such a formidable international reputation,” Mr Yule says.

“The recent rain has been great for the Equestrian Park with the ground softening beautifully to provide excellent footing for the horses and the park now has excellent grass cover.”

Competitors in the NZ Pony Club Horse Trials Championships will be officially welcomed to the Equestrian Park on Thursday afternoon. The opening discipline of the champs - dressage will take place on Friday (26th); the cross country on Saturday (27th); and the champs will wrap up on Sunday morning (28th) with the showjumping phase.

More information is available at www.nzpca.org/new/horse_trials/2013/

New Zealand’s top riders will be hoping for a few early wishes from Santa in the final round for 2013 in the Bayer World Cup New Zealand League at the Taupo Christmas Classic.

Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) has won all three rounds so far, but will not be starting his top horse My Gollywog this weekend, opting instead to save the 18-year-old showjumper for the first show of the New Year at his home track.

Beatson has his home-bred youngster Schimmel Warrior entered for the Saturday event..

“He’s jumped some good rounds but this is his first season at world cup level,” says the Olympian and former World Cup finalist. “He has the ability to win, but consistency is the key with him and he’s still learning the trade.”

The nine-year-old has been placed in one of his three starts.

“I’m hoping for a few points on the board, but the experience for him is important.”

Three time series winner Kate McVean (Mystery Creek) is also without her top horse for the class. Dunstan Daffodil will be at the show – her first in months – but will be easing back into things in the 1.2m – 1.3m classes.

McVean has two entered in the world cup – eight-year-olds Dunstan Delilah and Dunstan Kiwi Iron Mark.
Iron Mark (owned by June Berrington) has only done one world cup but finished third after unluckily taking the last fence in the second round, while Delilah has done just two and also placed.

“The world cup series is an important one, but this year all my horses are so young, I’m not pushing them,” said McVean.

Bernard Denton (Feilding) and Horsesports Suzuki, who are sitting in second spot on the leaderboard, will be keen to continue their steady form of late.

There are a string of imported horses that look to be starting to find form. Included in that line-up is Matthew Gilmour (Matangi) and Belize Di Cantero and Olympian Samantha McIntosh (Cambridge) aboard Estina.

And there are young riders who have already shown they are stars of the future. Luke Dee (Ocean Beach) captained the young rider Kiwi team to victory in the Trans Tasman Shield at the weekend, is aboard his own Ombudsman, with team-mate Rosie Commons (Auckland) starting her Glenara Chandon in their first world cup. Timothy Myers (Taranaki) on Pick Me NZPH is another to keep an eye on.
With 16 entered, it could be anyone’s class, as all have plenty of talent and good horsepower.

The class is scheduled to go around 4.30pm on Saturday at the Fiber Fresh National Equestrian Centre, which is looking a picture for the three star three day show that started today (Thursday) and has attracted more than 720 entries.

The weekend will finish up with the two star Taupo Derby on Sunday.

Bayer World Cup New Zealand Series (after three rounds): Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) 39 points, Bernard Denton (Feilding) 24, Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) 17, Ross Smith (Canterbury) 13, Simon Wilson (Waipukurau) 12, Luke Dee (Ocean Beach) 11.

New Zealand has white-washed Queensland in the Trans Tasman Young Rider Shield, which finished today (Sunday) at the National Young Horse Jumping Championships in Dannevirke.

The four strong teams – all aboard borrowed horses – completed two rounds a day over the three days of the show, with the Kiwis getting progressively stronger, and finishing the final day with a clean slate.

The four – captain Luke Dee (Ocean Beach), Jake Lambert (Cambridge), Logan Massie (Dannevirke) and Rosie Commons (Auckland) – jumped two clear rounds today, a feat almost unheard of.

Unfortunately for the Australian visitors – captain Gemma Crighton, Hugh Buchanan, Jessie Carnes and Toby McIntosh – things didn’t go so well.

Day one belonged to New Zealand, and brought a bonus point thanks to three clear rounds. Day two saw another victory for New Zealand, bringing the points to 5-2. Day three, New Zealand picked up another four points – two for the win plus two bonus points – and Queensland another single point, with the competition finishing 9-3 in favour of the hosts.

Trainer, Olympian Samantha McIntosh (Cambridge) and chef d’equipe Kaye Williams (Gisborne) were ecstatic with their young charges – especially as it is two seasons since New Zealand won the shield. The next stouch will be in Australia, mid-year.

The victory topped off three excellent days of jumping at the National Young Horse Championships. Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) has had a brilliant run, winning two of the three style prizes, as well as the four and seven year old titles, and picking up several other places.

The inform Luke Dee – who captained the New Zealand young rider team to victory today – won the five-year-old crown aboard Urban Blue NZPH and won the style prize in the same class on Uno Me NZPH, with Jesse Linton (Napier) and AP Ninja winning the six-year-old title.

Combinations had to jump a round a day over the three days, with faults accumulating.

Results -
New Zealand v Queensland Trans Tasman Young Rider Shield: New Zealand (Luke Dee, Logan Massie, Jake Lambert, Rosie Commons) 9 points 1, Queensland (Gemma Crighton, Hugh Buchanan, Jessie Carnes and Toby McIntosh) 3 2.

New Zealand Four-Year-Old Sport Horse (sponsored by Melda Gibson): Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) Casebrooke Lomand (owned by McVean and Sheena Ross) 1, Nigel Horton (Palmerston North) Silverstar 2, Oliver Edgecombe (Waipukurau) Double J Bouncer and Rachel Moore (Waipukurau) Deja Blue =3, Claire Wilson (Waipukurau) Garden Party, Pearl Delaney-Girdlestone (Waikanae) Illustrious and Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Dorothy =5.

Four-year-old style prize: Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) Casebrooke Lomand (owned by McVean and Sheena Ross).

New Zealand Five-Year-Old Fernhill Stud Sport Horse (part of the national series): Luke Dee (Ocean Beach) Urban Blue NZPH 1, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) Mandalay Cove 2, Jesse Linton (Napier) Mustangs Mack 3, Vicki Wilson (Hikurangi) Cassaro Xtreme 4, Sarah Jocelyn (Wainuiomata) Little Curiso 5, Vicki Wilson (Hikurangi) Lanstar Xtreme 6.

Five-year-old style prize: Luke Dee (Ocean Beach) Uno Me NZPH (owned by NZPH).

New Zealand Six-Year-Old Sport Horse (sponsored by Ngahiwi Station and part of the Mitavite national series): Jesse Linton (Napier) AP Ninja 1, Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Lucca 2, Samantha McIntosh (Cambridge) NZ Pow, Samantha McIntosh (Cambridge) NZ Powerful, Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Chilly GR =3, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) Victoria’s Secret 6.

Six-year-old style prize: Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Chilly GR.

New Zealand Seven-Year-old Xtreme Sport Horse Champion (part of the national series): Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Breeze 1, Samantha McIntosh (Cambridge) Supernova NZPH, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) Lenarc, Brooke Zander (Waipukurau) Double J Rumours =2, Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Banderas C 5, Claire Wilson (Waipukurau) Finnetto, Savanah Larsen-Church (Turangi) Midway Smooth Dude, Vicki Wilson (Hikurangi) Henton Evita, Vicki Wilson (Hikurangi) Showtym Levado GNZ, Vicki Wilson (Hikurangi) Showtym Cadet MVNZ =6.
Seven-year-old style prize: Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Banderas C.

Caledonian Amateur Rider: Charlotte McGregor (Putaruru) Stargazer 1, Barry Beatson (Dannevirke) Sloane Square 2, Geneva Topp (Martinborough) Guy Smiley 3, Merran Hain (Gisborne) Untouchable 4, Kelly Smith (Foxton) Summer Solei 5, Hayley-Ann Oakley (Otaki) Knight’s Tale 6.

KiwiSpan Junior Rider: Lily Tootill (Karaka) Phobe Nimmerdor 1, Melody Matheson (Hawke’s Bay) Getmshorty 2, Freya Gordon (Havelock North) The Big Apple 3, Amelia Gunson (Hawke’s Bay) Jumping Jack Splash 4, Isabella Harley (Wellington) Gold Dust 5, Freya Gordon (Havelock North) Kaipara Beedle 6.

Young Rider: Amanda Wilson (Hikurangi) Showtym Viking 1, Melody Matheson (Hawke’s Bay) Cheltenham 2, Jesse Linton (Napier) Bessette 3, Logan Massie (Dannevirke) Kiwi Ludo 4, Claudia Porter (Hastings) Mr Harrison 5, Rosie Commons (Auckland) Glenara Chandon 6.

STH Hay Supplies Pro Amateur Rider: Trudi Mitchell (Wairoa) Strike Three 1, Pearl Delaney-Girdlestone (Waikanae) Windale Gracious 2, Nigel Horton (Palmerston North) Ngahiwi Summer 3, Sheena Ross (Hamilton) Ngahiwi Bay Indoctro 4, Douglas Thomson (Hawke’s Bay) Marksman Arrow 5, Trudi Mitchell (Wairoa) Sentawish 6.

Jake Lambert has plenty to smile about today (Sunday) at Taranaki Showjumping Group’s two star show after winning his first ever horse grand prix.

Aboard his nine-year-old gelding Quality NZPH he was one of just three from 11 starters to go through to the jump-off. From there, the 19-year-old full time rider from Cambridge led from the front.

They were first to go and threw down an almighty gauntlet for the two to follow – good mate Logan Massie (Danevirke) on Kiwi Ludo and the experienced Catherine Cameron (Cambridge) on Lights Out.

Lambert flew home, clean and clear in 39.16 seconds.. Massie did his best but came up tantalisingly short with 39.28 seconds. Cameron took a rail and finished in third spot.

“I just wanted to have a solid round and be consistent,” said Lambert, who in 2011 spent four months training with four-time Olympic gold medallist Ludger Beerbaum in Germany.

Quality has had a couple of patchy seasons, dogged by injury last season, but is back better than ever, according to her rider.. The combination have only started in three grand prix, making victory today all the sweeter.

In the young rider class, locals ruled. Today Jamie Thurlow (Waverley) took the honours aboard Clifton Ali, with Tim Myers (Hawera) Pick Me NZPH in second place. Myers won the class at the Egmont A and P Show on Friday.

And it was a Wilson (Hikurangi) sisters trifecta in the horse grand prix at the Egmont A and P, with Amanda and Showtym Viking winning, ahead of older sister Vicki who was second with Ngahiwi Showtym Premier and third with Wurlitzer.

The two shows are held back to back over three days at the Egmont A and P Showgrounds in Hawera. Competitors have had blustery and showery conditions, but perfect footing.

Results - Taranaki Showjumping Group 2*

1* Horse Grand Prix: Jake Lambert (Cambridge) Quality NZPH 1, Logan Massie (Dannevirke) Kiwi Ludo 2, Catherine Cameron (Cambridge) Lights Out 3, Vicki Wilson (Hikurangi) Wurlitzer 4, Robert Steel (Hawera) Gospel 5, Catherine Cameron (Cambridge) Campione GNZ 6.

2* Young Rider: Jamie Thurlow (Waverley) Clifton Ali 1, Tim Myers (Hawera) Pick Me NZPH 2, Natasha Brookes (Cambridge) Casali 3, Amanda Wilson (Hikurangi) Showtym Viking 4, Nicki Booth (Masterton) Ronlez-Rouge 5, Gemma Creighton (Australia/Waverley) Mister Pirate 6.

2* Pony Grand Prix: Laura Hutterd (Stratford) Spot U Later 1, Briar Burnett-Grant (Taupo) Kabo Silver 2, Shenae McKay (Palmerston North) Kabo So Far 3, Melanie Weal (Te Awamutu) Hopeful Illusion 4, Megan O’Grady (Tauranga) The Dreamer 5, Jimmie James Duncan (Hunterville) Surprise Illusion 6.

Seven Year Old Series: Vicki Wilson (Hikurangi) Showtym Levado 1, Jake Lambert (Cambridge) Eros K 2, Vicki Wilson (Hikurangi) Showtym Cadet MVNZ 3, Natasha Brookes (Cambridge) Kapattack 4, Catherine Cameron (Cambridge) Kinsale II 5, Vicki Wilson (Hikurangi) Ngahiwi Chrome 6.

Mitavite Six Year Old Series: Vicki Wilson (Hikurangi) Showtym Stardust and Katharine Gillaly (Palmerston North) High Five =1.

Caledonian Amateur Rider: Laura Knight (Palmerston North) Down Wind 1, Amy Collinson (Cambridge) Capilla G 2, Pearl Delany-Girdlestone (Waikanae) Styletto 3, Kelly Wilson (Hikurangi) Showtym Cover Girl 4, Laura Knight (Palmerston North) Riomeister 5, Trish Pearce (Marton) Joan Jet 6.

Egmont A&P 1* Show

1* Horse Grand Prix: Amanda Wilson (Hikurangi) Showtym Viking 1, Vicki Wilson (Hikurangi) Ngahiwi Showtym Premier 2, Vicki Wilson (Hikurangi) Wurlitzer 3, Jake Lambert (Cambridge) Quality NZPH 4, Catherine Cameron (Cambridge) Campione GNZ 5, Robert Steele (Hawera) Gospel 6.

1* Young Rider: Tim Myers (Hawera) Pick Me NZPH 1, Amanda Wilson (Hikurangi) Showtym Viking 2, Danielle Maurer (Auckland) Double Dutch 3, Josh Barker (Morrinsville) Karla K 4, Hannah Burnett-Grant (Taupo) Ngahiwi Telephonic 5, Jake Lambert (Cambridge) Quality NZPH 6.

1* Pony Grand Prix: Melanie Weal (Te Awamutu) Hopeful Illusion 1, Laura Hutterd (Stratford) Spot U Later 2, Briar Burnett-Grant (Taupo) Kabo Silver 3, Shenae McKay (Palmerston North) Guthrie 4, Ashleigh McIntyre (Northland) Phonecian Prada 5, Megan O’Grady (Tauranga) The Dreamer 6.

Fernhill Stud Five Year Old Series: Katharine Gillaly (Palmerston North) Double J Sunshine & Vicki Wilson (Hikurangi) Cassaro Extreme =1.

The elder statesman of New Zealand showjumping has notched back to back victories in the Bayer World Cup New Zealand series with a win today at the APL Showjumping Waikato Show.

Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) and his 18-year-old home-bred horse My Gollywog headed off 13 other rather classy combinations to take the round and more importantly edge further up the leaderboard with valuable points.

Five went clear in the first round of the prestigious class – Beatson, Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) on Dunstan Kiwi Iron Mark, Luke Dee (Ocean Beach) ON Ombudsman, Bernard Denton (Feilding) on Horsesports Suzuki and Ross Smith (Canterbury) on Quite Cassini II.

Joining them for the second round over the Gerrit Beker-designed course were McVean with Dunstan Zimorena G on four faults, Susie Hayward (Canterbury) on Andretti on eight, as well as e12 faulters Samantha McIntosh (Cambridge) on Estina and Carissa McGregor (Auckland) on Chatterton.

Beatson, a former Olympian who has also represented New Zealand at World Champs and a World Cup final, was first out and went clear and fast.

Denton tried to match it on his lovely little chestnut mare Suzuki, and while he was clear, he was also a second slower. McVean aboard eight-year-old Iron Mark,in their first ever world cup start, took the last fence to pick up four faults, as did Dee in his first ever world cup start.

Last night the action from the three day show shifted to indoors at Mystery Creek for the $15,000 APL Equidays Classic which was won by Ross Smith (Canterbury) and Quite Cassini II. There were 25 starters in the class, with 10 coming back for the second round.

Results -
Bayer World Cup New Zealand series (round two): Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) My Gollywog 1, Bernard Denton (Feilding) Horsesports Suzuki 2, Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Kiwi Iron Mark (owned by June Berrington and McVean) 3, Ross Smith (Canterbury) Quite Cassini II 4, Luke Dee (Ocean Beach) Ombudsman 5, Kate McVean (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Zimorena G 6.

APL Equidays Classic: Ross Smith (Canterbury) Quite Cassini II 1, Daniel Meech (Taupo) Argento WHS 2, Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Zimorena G 3, Logan Massie (Dannevirke) Kiwi Ludo 4, Sam McIntosh (Cambridge) Claire 5, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) My Gollywog 6.

KiwiSpan Junior Rider: Melanie Weal (Te Awamutu) Cross Your Heart 1, Sarah Young (Tokoroa) Oakley Vision 2, Caroline Kennedy (Cambridge) Classic Arrow 3, Robert Wellwood (Hawke’s Bay) Insightful 4, Kate Allen (Morrinsville) Delta Pierre 5, Te Atatu Mihaka (Northland) Commodore 6.

Pony Grand Prix: Emily Fraser (Takapau) Tony the Pony 1, Melanie Weal (Te Awamutu) Hopeful Illusion 2, Tegan Newman (Northland) Watch Me Move 3, Caitlyn Horton (New Plymouth) Limmerick’s Black Samba 4, Briar Burnett-Grant (Taupo) Kabo Silver 5, Maddison Bult (Kumeu) Mr Black Magic 6.

Young Rider Series: Logan Massie (Dannevirke) Kiwi Ludo 1, Natasha Brooks (Cambridge) Hairy McClairy 2, Jake Lambert (Cambridge) Quality NZPH 3, Rosie Commons (Auckland) Glenara Chandon 4, Rebekah van Tiel (Karaka) Adeaze 5, Amanda Wilson (Hikurangi) Showtym Viking 6.

Horse Grand Prix (one star): Daniel Meech (Taupo) Argento WHS 1, Samantha McIntosh (Cambridge) Estina 2, Catherine Cameron (Cambridge) Campione GNZ 3, Lisa Coupe (Kumeu) Bates Amaretto MVNZ 4, Mathew Gilmour (Matangi) Cuba D Esquelmes Z 5, Bernard Denton (Feilding) Horsesports Suzuki 6.

Caledonia Amateur Rider Series: Courtney Fox (Auckland) Bush Magic 1, Sacha Harwood (Papamoa) Beautiful Day 2, Sophie Anderson (New Plymouth) Clifton Polarize 3, David Collett (Auckland) Sunshine Voltamae 4, Donna Aitkinson (Hawke’s Bay) Blue Label 5, David Collett (Auckland) SSS Old Prinz 6.

Mitavite Six Year Old Series: Jamie Campbell (Coatesville) Dolche MVNZ, Jake Lambert (Cambridge) Varekai SL, Samantha McIntosh (Cambridge) NZ Powerful, Sally Clark (Dannevirke) Victoria’s Secret, Samantha McIntosh (Cambridge) NZ Pow, Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Lucca and Luis Pedro De Chaby (Te Puke) HH Beetle =1.

Seven Year Old Series: Jake Lambert (Cambridge) Kiwi Express 1, Logan Massie (Dannevirke) Double J Cloud Nine 2, Savannah Larsen-Church (Turangi) Midway Smooth Dude 3, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) Lenarc 4, Travis Morgan (Tauranga) Cervelt MVNZ 5, Jake Lambert (Cambridge) Eros K 6.

It’s round two of the Bayer New Zealand World Cup League on Sunday and with another quality field lined up for the class, it’s anyone’s guess who will snaffle those all-important points.

The premier showjumping class runs on Sunday – the last day of the three day APL Showjumping Waikato World Cup Show.

Locals will be keen to think they have a little hometown advantage. Katie McVean (Mystery Creek), who has won the last three New Zealand series and finished sixth equal at the world final in 2011, has two entered.

Dunstan Zimorena G has only just debuted in the league, with her first start in Hawke’s Bay in late October, with the other being Dunstan Delilah, younger sister to superstar Delphi.

Also entered is McVean’s World Champs team-mate Samantha McIntosh (Cambridge) who has both Claire and Estina on the card. Another claiming local status is Mathew Gilmour (Matangi) and his lovely European import Belize Di Cantero.

Catherine Cameron (Cambridge) is one never to be discounted and has two rather solid entries with her Lights Out and Campione GNZ.

But there are a slew of top-class combinations heading to Kihikihi with winning in mind.

Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke), another former Olympian, World Champs representative and World Cup finalist, won the opening round and has two entered this weekend.

Making the long trek north are Cantabrians Ross Smith and Susie Hayward who both have stunning stallions on the card in Quite Cassini II and Andretti.

The early season in-form Lisa Coupe (Kumeu) has her two entered in Ocean Wave and Bates Amaretto MVNZ, while former series winner Simon Wilson (Waipukurau) has Swinger. Feilding farrier Bernard Denton is bringing Horsesports Suzuki.

The World Cup series runs through until late January, with the victor having the chance to represent New Zealand at the world final next year.

Show president Kerry Willetts says the beautifully prepared Kihikihi Domain Polo Grounds make for near perfect footing and are a big attraction for the nation’s top riders.

It is free for people to head to the Kihikihi Domain to watch the excitement, and Willetts encourages people to pack a picnic and make a day of it for the premier classes on Sunday.

But the world cup isn’t the only big draw card on the schedule at Kihikihi Domain. Friday’s one star grand prix is a qualifier for the $15,000 1.45m jump being held indoors on Saturday night at the nearby Equidays, with the top 25 going through.

The Equidays APL grand prix, a great opportunity for New Zealand riders to compete indoors, is part of an evening extravaganza that includes all sorts of equestrian talent.

Bayer World Cup NZ League 2012-2013 Points (after one round): Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) 13 points, Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) 10, Simon Wilson (Waipukurau) 8, Lisa Coupe (Kumeu) 6, Susie Hayward (Canterbury) 5, Bernard Denton (Feilding) 4, Ross Smith (Canterbury) 3.

It’s the grand finale of the international eventing season this weekend, but also the start of the new HSBC FEI Classics series, and the Kiwi riders plan to make a big impact on both.

The in-form Andrew Nicholson spearheads a strong New Zealand contingent in the last CCI4* event of the northern hemisphere season at Les Etoiles des Pau in France this weekend.

It’s one of just six four-star events in the world and has attracted the big guns, including world champion and Olympic gold medallist Michael Jung (GER) and this year’s HSBC FEI Classics winner William Fox-Pitt (GBR), to whom Nicholson was second by just a smidgen.

But Nicholson, who was also second at Pau last year, has been in superb form recently, winning four big events in the past four months – the four star Burghley International Horse Trials, and the three star Boekelo, Blenheim and Barbary Castle events.

He’s also on the cusp of finishing the season at the top of the HSBC World Rankings which would bring a $US50,000 bonus for him.

Nicholson has both Mr Cruise Control and Nereo entered at Pau, and he’s picking his bronze medal-winning World Champs and Olympic mount Nereo to finish at the front of the field – just ahead of Mr Cruise Control.

“Nereo is my best bet,” said Nicholson, who was a key part of New Zealand’s Olympic bronze medal-winning team.

However, it is Nereo’s first start at Pau, and Mr Cruise Control was second in the event last year.
The world number one ranked rider also gets the nod from Kiwi high performance coach Erik Duvander.
“He’s world class and could easily win on either horse,” he says.

Also competing at Pau will be Jonathan Paget on Clifton Promise, Caroline Powell aboard Onwards and Upwards and Mark Todd on Major Milestone.

“Promise has come back after the Olympics looking a million dollars and is keen to run again,” says Duvander.

He says Powell’s Onwards and Upwards is a young horse being tested at four star level for the first time.

“Major Milestone is so strong in the cross country and showjumping phases, but the dressage just makes it difficult for him.”

Equestrian Sports New Zealand high performance director Sarah Harris is also looking for the season to end on a high.

“What a great year it has been for the high performance programme, with numerous combinations stepping up to four star and regaining a sense of Kiwi dominance at this level,” she said. “We have also seen exciting younger horses at the last few events, in particular at Blenheim and Boekelo, showing that we are in for some great competition leading in to the World Championships in France in 2014.”

It’s a star-studded start list in the four star event at Pau, with the organisers describing it as “a dream”, including members of the gold, silver and bronze medal-winning teams from the London Olympics.

The event has attracted more than 60 entries from 17 nations – many of whom are chasing those all important early points in the Classics series, which is considered the grand slam of eventing.

The Classics other five events are the Australian International Three Day Event in Adelaide in November, the Rolex Kentucky Three Day event in April, the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials in May, Luhmuhlen in Germany in June and finally the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials in September. The series offers $US150,000 to the winner.

Pau starts this evening (Thursday NZ time) with the horse inspection, which will be followed by the dressage on Friday, cross country Saturday and showjumping overnight Sunday.

Kiwi horses take on the European imports in the opening round of the Bayer World Cup New Zealand League at the Hawke’s Bay A and P Show on Friday.

Of the 14-strong field, six are imported, and bring an exciting new facet to the premier series on the national calendar.

Katie McVean (Mystery Creek), who has won the last three series, is currently without Dunstan Daffodil, but looking forward to bringing her back into the arena by Christmas.

Instead she’s got the pick of a rather ‘green’ bunch – by her own admission. While she has both Dunstan Kiwi Iron Mark and the imported Dunstan Zimorena entered in Friday’s class, she is unsure whether she will start both.

“I’m really missing Daffodil,” said McVean. “Zimorena has been thrown a bit into the deep end but we’ll see how she goes.”

Fellow former Olympian Samantha McIntosh (Cambridge) also has two horses entered in her imported mares Claire and Estina. While it is still early in the season, both have been jumping superbly, and McIntosh’s experience says she’s a hot contender to challenge for the title this season.

Ross Smith (Christchurch) and his stallion Quite Cassini II headed to Australia for the winter months, where they impressively won a world cup round at the Gatton Showjumping Championships, and in doing so became the only Kiwi combination to do so.

Smith plans to clock some serious miles chasing those valuable world cup series points this season.
Lisa Coupe (Kumeu) has already found golden form this season, with three grand prix victories to her credit. She has both Bates Amaretto MVNZ and My Ocean Wave entered for Friday.

Former series winner Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke), who was runner up last season, also has two with both My Gollywog and Schimmel Warrior on the card. A former Olympian and World Championships representative, Beatson is a fierce competitor and a danger in any class.

Mathew Gilmour (Matangi) has entered the lovely imported mare Belize Di Cantero. This combination are the quiet lot, who just get on and do what they do best. He and mentor, former two time world champ, Vaughn Jefferis have been carefully bringing an exciting team through the ranks in the past few seasons, and are now really starting to attract some interest.

Susie Hayward (Canterbury) is bringing her stunning imported Holsteiner stallion Andretti north for the class. Last season they had just one start in the series, but they are clearly looking to make more of an impact this time round.

Rounding out the start list is former winner Simon Wilson (Waipukurau) on Swinger, who last year finished third in the series, and Bernard Denton (Feilding) on Horsesports Suzuki.

Upper Hutt’s Gary Sinclair is tasked with designing the course. It’s a quality field no doubt, and anyone who accurately picks a winner before it, is a brave man..

The New Zealand series runs over eight rounds, with the final in Tauranga in late January. The winner has the opportunity to travel to Sweden for the world final in April.

World number one Andrew Nicholson has scored another top win, this time at the Boekelo Military International Horse Trials in The Netherlands this morning (Monday).

The event also saw New Zealand finish second to Germany in the Nations Cup.

Nicholson and Quimbo (owned by Deborah Sellar) trailed Olympic gold medallist Michael Jung through the dressage and cross country phases, but he knew he had a pretty good chance of overtaking the German in the showjumping.

“Quimbo is an amazing showjumper for an eventer,” said a very happy Nicholson just after the victory. “He is good at everything, but particularly this, so I thought we had a good chance.”

Jung dropped two rails in the final phase, giving Nicholson the win.

Wet weather had made ground conditions tricky throughout the event, and Nicholson and nine-year-old Quimbo were 108th of the 112 strong field to go in the cross country.

“It looked worse than it rode, but the same narrow track ridden by so many gets quite deep. It becomes a lot harder work for him but he coped very well.”

It is the second time Nicholson has won Boekelo.

Quimbo has been with Nicholson since he was three, and has consistently featured on the podium.

Just two weeks ago Nicholson and Quimbo won the eight and nine-year-old championship at the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials, and inlate August, Nicholson and Avebury won the Burghley International Horse Trials.

“Now we just need to do the same at Pau,” he said, of the four star event in two weeks time.

Other Kiwis to feature in the top 20 were Mark Todd and Leonidas II who were 17th, Megan Heath aboard St Daniel in 18th spot and rising young star Jesse Campbell on Kool Kaapachino who were 20th.

In the Nations Cup event at Boekelo, New Zealand couldn’t do enough to slide past eventual winners Germany.

Results -
CCIO3*: Andrew Nicholson (NZL) Quimbo (owned by Deborah Sellar) 38.8 penalty points 1, Michael Jung (GER) Halunke FBW 40 2, Nicholas Touzaint (FRA) Princesse Pilot 43.4 3, Ingrid Klimke (GER) Tabasco 70 4, Kenki Sato (JAP) Toy Boy 50 5, Piggy French (GBR) West Side 50.6 6, Sarah Bullimore (GBR) Lilly Corinne 50.6 7, Benjamin Winter (GER) Ispo 51.4 8, Elaine Pen (NETH) Vira 51.6 9, Felix Vogg (SWI) Onfire 51.8 10, Mark Todd (NZL) Leonidas II (owned by Diane Brunsden, Peter Cattell and Todd) 58.2 17, Megan Heath (NZL) St Daniel (owned by Heath) 58.6 18, Jesse Campbell (NZL) Kool Kaapachino (owned by ME Kent and Campbell) 59.4 20.

Nations Cup: Germany 149 penalty points 1, New Zealand 155.6 2, France 175.2 3, Netherlands 180.6 4, Great Britain 210 5.

Lisa Coupe is more than happy with the efforts of her nine-year-old gelding Bates Amaretto MVNZ who just notched his second grand prix win of the season at the Dunstan Rotorua Spring Show today.

The Kumeu combination were one of 10 through to the jump-off of the premier class at the two-day show being held at the Fibre Fresh National Equestrian Centre in Taupo.

Twenty-two had started the class, and the jump-off saw former Olympian Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) come through with four, World Champs representative Samantha McIntosh (Cambridge) through with two, rising star Mathew Gilmour (Matangi) with two, and Catherine Cameron (Cambridge) and Coupe a mount apiece.

Coupe was seventh to go, and ahead of her McVean and McIntosh had really thrown down the challenge. But she met it head on, despite a few hiccups.

Coupe lost one stirrup as she went into the second fence in the jump-off, and on the turn coming out of the jump lost the other one.

“So I rode the rest of the jump-off with no stirrups – and that certainly was not the plan,” she said.

However, she and Beetle – as he is known affectionately at home – left everything up and set a time that no-one could beat. In the end it came down to hundredths of a second, but that was the closest Gilmour and the imported Belize Di Cantero could manage, giving them second place, McIntosh and her imported mare Estina third, Cameron and Campione GNZ fourth and McVean fifth and sixth aboard Dunstan Zehrenland and Dunstan Zimorena G.

Coupe and Beetle also picked up a second in the 1.3m class.

The pony grand prix attracted 18 starters, with the honours going to Jimmy-James Duncan (Central Districts) aboard Surprise Illusion.

The show attracted more than 380 combinations from all over the North Island, who enjoyed perfect weather.

Results -
Horse Grand Prix (one star): Lisa Coupe (Kumeu) Bates Amaretto MVNZ 1, Mathew Gilmour (Matangi) Belize Di Cantero 2, Samantha McIntosh (Cambridge) Estina 3, Catherine Cameron (Cambridge) Campione GNZ 4, Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Zehrenland 5, Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Zimorena G 6,

Pony Grand Prix (one star): Jimmy-James Duncan (Central Districts) Surprise Illusion 1, Briar Burnett-Grant (Taupo) Kabo Silver 2, Anna Cooper (Northland) Howzat Cracka Jack 3, Megan O’Grady (Bay of Plenty) The Dreamer 4, Elmo Jackson (Auckland) Mahoe Moon Frost 5, Jimmy-James Duncan (Central Districts ) Nectar 6.

KiwiSpan Junior Rider Series: Melanie Weal (Te Awamutu) Cross Your Heart 1, Lily Tootill (Auckland) Yum Yum 2, Will Moffett (Northern Hawke’s Bay) Dark Vader 3, Lucy Allen (Waikato) Delta Pierre 4, Rebekah Van Tiel (Auckland) Leeston Eagle 5, Robert Wellwood (Northern Hawke’s Bay) Insightful 6.

Caledonian Amateur Rider Series: Courtney Fox (Auckland) Bush Magic 1, Kirsty Gradwell (Waitemata) Kapka 2, Sophie Anderson (Taranaki) Clifton Polarize 3, Philippa Howells (Waikato) Mr Versatile 4, Rebecca Presow (Wairarapa) La Bella Vida 5, Christine Cornege (Waikato) Vespera SL 6.

Young Rider Series: Rebekah Van Tiel (Auckland) Adeaze 1, Jake Lambert (Cambridge) Quality NZPH 2, Megan Lindermann-Cohen (Clevedon) Lesbos D’Quilly 3, Rosie Commons (Auckland) Glenara Chandon 4, Ryan Lim (Auckland) Pasir Ris 88 5, Joshua Barker (Morrinsville) Highlander II 6.

Fernhill Five-Year-Old Series: David Collett (Waitemata) Ngahiwi Big Red and Savanah Larsen-Church (Turangi) Sole Low =1.

Mitavite Six-Year-Old: Samantha McIntosh (Cambridge) NZ Powerful; Karen Riddle (Waikato) Wickliffe Vinnington =1.

Seven-Year-Old Series: Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Banderas C 1, Geordie Bull (Bay of Plenty) Bridget Bardot 2, Savanah Larsen-Church (Turangi) Midway Smooth Dude 3, Jake Lambert (Cambridge) Eros K 4, Natasha Brooks (Waikato) Kapattack 5, Tom Tarver-Priebe (Kawerau) Campbell MVNZ 6.

STH Pro Amateur Series: Gary Werth (Auckland) Ricarlos 1, Jasmine Sketchley (Northland) Mr McGregor 2, Tess Williams (Gisborne) Astek Ooh La La 3, Jamie Howie (Taihape) Obeone Kanobe 4, Jackie Jermyn (Waikato) Landenfeld 5, Jordyn Becconsall (Bay of Plenty) El Billionaire 6.