It couldn’t have been closer in the FEI World Cup (NZ League) Series final but finally – after a heart-stopping countback – Julie Davey can claim the nation’s top international crown.

The Hastings showjumper led coming into the Archibald & Shorter North Shore World Cup Final at the Show Jumping Waitemata hosted show, but it was tight and turned into a three horse race between Julie, Luke Dee (Havelock North) and Sophie Scott (Palmerston North).

Five came back for the second round where only Sophie aboard Benrose Stellar were clear. Behind her Julie, Luke with Gangster WW and Sophie with her second mount Waitangi Skynet all carried four faults.

In the second, a double clear from Sophie and Stellar claimed the final for the second time, while Julie cemented the series going clear aboard LT Holst Freda to finish on four faults from the two rounds. Luke and his German import also went clear for a final tally of four faults and second place in both the series and the final.

With both Julie and Luke tied on 63 points for the series, it came down to wins, with Julie securing two and Luke just one. Sophie was a single point back for third.

Julie, who had her first World Cup start in the 1990s, was rapt with the win by her 10-year-old mare. It is her first series victory.

“It is pretty hard to win this series,” she said, “so it means a lot.”

It was also very special that Freda was following in the footsteps of her mother LT Holst Andrea who won the series in 2023-2024. “That’s really cool,” she said.

“I didn’t look at the points coming into the final but with so few qualifiers it makes it harder and the points tighter. I feel very lucky. She is a lovely horse. We have looked after her all the way through.”

Julie was a little disappointed with their cheap rail in the first round but says she didn’t panic and knew they had to be clear in the second.

“I have always wanted to win this series. It is hard and very competitive, so special to win.”

The combination also won a qualifier in Australia last year. Julie’s husband Andrew Ormond was the chief strapper but otherwise they had no groom. “I like doing my own horse . . . I wouldn’t trust anyone else with her.”

In winning the series, Julie now has the opportunity to represent New Zealand at the world final in Switzerland in April but she says they have not yet decided whether they would go.

Sophie Scott was over the moon with the efforts of both her horses. Having two in the class meant she always had to nominate her preferred mount for points, and it was something she struggled with through the series.

“It is tough when you have two horses who are jumping so well. Finally today I got it right,” said Sophie. “Benrose Stellar was amazing today. She couldn’t have been better! Waitangi Skynet was incredible too. He’s 16 but still jumps like a spring chicken.”

Luke Dee was pleased with his nine-year-old German import Gangster WW who while still a bit green had certainly proven himself in his first World Cup season.

“We’ve taken our time with him and he has grown up a lot this season. He will just continue to get better,” says Luke. “He has a very exciting future ahead.”

Luke and Gangster will head to Europe after the New Zealand season finishes.

The World Cup Final brought the curtain down on three fabulous days of jumping at Woodhill Sands where $13,000 was raised for Breast Cancer Foundation New Zealand.

International course designer, Canadian Peter Holmes, entranced riders and spectators alike with his open yet challenging courses.

“This is a fabulous event,” he said. “We’ve seen some serious jumping here.”

He had high praise for the organisers for the footing and way the main arena had been presented.

 
Results –
Archibald & Shorter North Shore FEI World Cup Final: Sophie Scott (Palmerston North) Benrose Stellar 1, Luke Dee (Havelock North) Gangster WW 2, Julie Davey (Hastings)
LT Holst Freda 3, Sophie Scott (Palmerston North) Waitangi Skynet 4, Francesca Corich van der Bas (Auckland) Bannockburn ECPH 5, Jake Lambert (Cambridge) Takapoto Alaid de Chez Nous 6.
 
FEI World Cup (NZ League) Series: Julie Davey (Hastings) 63 points 1 (on countback), Luke Dee (Havelock North) 63 2, Sophie Scott (Palmerston North) 62 3.
 
For full results, www.evoevents.co.nz

Sophie Scott has stamped her name on the FEI World Cup (NZ League) Series, taking out the Dunstan Horsefeeds supported opener aboard Waitangi Skynet at Takapoto Estate last night.

Coming in for second in the premier class of the Waikato World Cup Show was Julie Davey (Hawke’s Bay) on her lovely mare LT Holst Freda with Sophie third aboard Benrose Stellar, and Luke Dee (Hawke’s Bay) on Gangster WW in fourth.

The Heather McDonald-designed course proved quite the challenge for many combinations.

The time proved almost impossible to get in the opening round with only Luke and Gangster WW flying round inside the time, but took two rails so finished on eight faults.

Sophie was the best of the 13-strong field, going clear but picking up a single time fault with each horse. Julie and the in-form LT Holst Freda had a single rail and two time for a total of six in the opening round.

Eight combinations came back for the second where four managed to go clear but only Julie with Freda and Sophie aboard Skynet were clear and inside time.

Sophie was her usual understated self about the class. “That’s the best way to start,” said the 22-year-old. “I never mind who wins – either way I am happy.”

She praised Heather’s course saying it was technical and certainly up to spec. “I liked the technicality of it and there were some big verticals in there. I had a plan and I stuck to it all the way round.”

She was stoked with both horses and says she would dearly love to win the series but there’s a fair bit of jumping to be done before that happens. “We’ll just see how it all plays out. The World Cup is the main goal this year and if one happens to win the series we would seriously look at going.”

World Cup debutants Makenzie Causer (Christchurch) and Dolce Del Colle had a day to remember winning the turnout prize from the horse inspection and placing sixth. Also having their first World Cup starts were Alex Loiselle (Norsewood) aboard Haupouri Ferrari NZPH and Colleen Crous (Auckland) with Castiel Xtreme.

Next up is the Taupo qualifier (November 30) followed by Dannevirke (January 11), with the final at Waitemata (January 19). The series winner has the opportunity to represent New Zealand at the Longines FEI World Cup Final in Basel, Switzerland in April 2025.
 
Results –
FEI World Cup Qualifier (NZ League) – supported by Dunstan Horsefeeds: Sophie Scott (Palmerston North) Waitangi Skynet 1, Julie Davey (Hawke’s Bay) LT Holst Freda 2, Sophie Scott (Palmerston North) Benrose Stellar 3, Luke Dee (Havelock North) Gangster WW 4, Vicki Wilson (Hawke’s Bay) Millionaire VWNZ 5, Makenzie Causer (Christchurch) Dolce Del Colle 6, Logan Massie (Dannevirke) Bravado Ego Z 7, Daniel Webb (Hunterville) WSJ Centaur 8.
 
For full results, head to www.evoevents.co.nz

Logan Massie finally has an FEI World Cup qualifier win to his credit.

The farmer and rider from Dannevirke headed home a competitive 15-strong field at the Alabaster Contracting Central and Southern Hawke’s Bay Jumping Show in his hometown this afternoon.

Riding the showy chestnut stallion Bravado Ego Z Logan was double clear over the Heather McDonald course, crossing the flags in 55.4 seconds, comfortably clear of runner up Sophie Scott (Palmerston North) on World Cup debutant Benrose Stellar who was also all clean in 57.51, and third placed Sophie with her other mount Waitangi Skynet who was clear in 59.12. Julie Davey (Hastings) was fourth and sixth with LT Holst Freda and Just D respectively with Brooke Edgecombe (Waipukurau) and Freda’s mother LT Holst Andrea, in fifth.

There were seven clears in the opening round, with 14 combinations on eight faults or less coming back for the second. There were another seven clears in the second, but with any faults being carried forward it became a battle between those who left all the rails up in the opener.

Logan competed in his first-ever World Cup back in 2013 and has only once been on the podium, in 2018 when he placed third aboard Intellect. He took over the ride aboard Bravado Ego Z in 2020 and has competed the 15-year-old in Europe and New Zealand.

Seven times they have been in the top six, making the win today all the more special. The horse is owned by Logan and Sue Holden, who was ring side to watch today’s class.

“It was so nice to have Sue there with her family to watch,” says Logan. “She was very excited.”

He was surprised to be as quick as he was in the second round, adding speed wasn’t usually Bravado’s forte but no one told the horse that today and he was clean, fast and stylish.

“Everything just worked for me today. Bravado is fit, sound and ready to go as we head into the big part of the season. He’s been very consistent this season, placing in the top four of almost every class he has jumped in.”

Being his home track, Logan had plenty of support on the side lines. He is vice president of the show committee and fiancé Alexa Dodson is also very involved in the organisation of the show. “It is a huge effort from our show committee,” he says. “It is great to get the win like this but really rewarding too, to have such a good World Cup class.”

He praised Heather McDonald’s track saying she always had a knack of building a track that was both jumpable and competitive.

Now Logan needs to decide whether he would travel to Auckland this coming week for the World Cup Final, as well as where he may take the stallion over the winter. “We’ll probably take him across the Tasman and maybe further if he holds this sort of form.”

The winner of the World Cup (NZ League) series has the opportunity to represent New Zealand at the world final in Riyadh in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in late April.

The New Zealand League is run over four qualifiers and the final, with the best four results from each rider to count to their series tally. The final, which has points and a half on offer for successful competitors, will be hosted by Waitemata Showjumping at Woodhill Sands on Sunday and is stacking up to be an exciting finish to New Zealand’s highest ranked competition.
 
Results
FEI World Cup (NZ League) qualifier: Logan Massie (Dannevirke) Bravado Ego Z 1, Sophie Scott (Palmerston North) Benrose Stellar 2, Sophie Scott (Palmerston North) Waitangi Skynet 3, Julie Davey (Hastings) LT Holst Freda 4, Brooke Edgecombe (Waipukurau) LT Holst Andrea 5, Julie Davey (Hastings) Just D 6.

Brooke Edgecombe and Emily Twort were the shining stars in their respective disciplines at the Trust House Glistening Waters ESNZ Series Final Show in Masterton at the weekend.

Brooke and her stellar showjumping mare LT Holst Andrea won the POLi Payments Premier League Series and the EquiBreed and VDL Top Ranking Mare crown. They were also second in the EvoEvents Horse Grand Prix Series. She teamed up with her youngster Inca NZPH to win the East Coast Performance Horses Five-Year-Old Series, and fifth aboard Indiana Xtreme in the UltraMox Six-Year-Old Series.

Brooke, who is the current Olympic Cup holder as showjumper of the year, has won plenty of titles and series but it was the first time she has secured the premier.

“It’s been a very competitive series all season, so it is really nice to top the series,” says the mum of one from Waipukurau. “There are some classy combos at top level which is great to see.”

Brooke isn’t one to chase any series but is always aiming for consistency. “If you are consistent then hopefully that results in a good series result at the end,” she says.

Brooke says the mare is the best horse she has ever had. “I definitely appreciate her. Every time she goes into the ring she tries so hard. This is a great series to win – especially given it is New Zealand’s top national series behind the (international) World Cup one.”

Emily and her sister mares Cameo KSNZ and Camaro KSNZ ruled supreme in the show hunter arena, winning a trifecta of series crowns in the NRM Open High Points Series, Petticoat Lane Performance Horses Adult Equitation and Carousel Equestrian Amateur High Points Series.

Emily, an engineering geologist from Kumeu, was ecstatic with the efforts of her show hunter mares. It’s not the first series they’ve won, but to nab three is certainly something very special.

While the series were a goal for Emily, it started to get “more real” as the season progressed. “She is just so consistent,” says Emily of 12-year-old Cameo who has been with her for eight years. “She is such an awesome competitor I just wouldn’t want to be on any other horse. She is a real show off and just loves everyone watching her. It really does give her an extra spark and it shows in her results. I am incredibly proud of her.”

She adores riding into the ring to compete on both of her mares, so much so that she feels she could almost compete with her eyes shut. “Cameo is such an awesome horse, she would do it, and we are just so in synch.”

Their best win of the season came at Rotorua in the open high points when they scored 90% - a feat they repeated numerous times.

Penny Borthwick (Masterton) heads out of ponies on a high having taken the quinella in the Country TV Pony Grand Prix Series with her superstar team Rednalhgih Cowan and Foxden’s Merlot.

It is the second time on the trot the teen has finished first and second in the prestigious pony series but last year it was Foxden’s Merlot in front with Rednalhgih Cowan in second. Penny also won the Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider aboard Double J Breeze On.

The EvoEvents Horse Grand Prix Series went the way of Sophie Scott (Palmerston North) aboard Waitangi Skynet, with Ben Weir (Auckland) riding off with the FMG Young Rider Series. Lucy Fell (Palmerston North) and Faratona STS won the Harrison Lane Pro-Am Rider Series, with the Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider going to Ashley Johnston (Whangarei) with Miss Vee NZPH.

Makenzie Causer (Christchurch) was the star of the age group series, winning the UltraMox Six-Year-Old Series aboard Anouk G Z and the Matthews Hanoverians Seven-Year-Old on Lord Axel GNZ.

Logan Massie’s (Dannevirke) Bravado Ego Z won the EquiBreed Leading Stallion while Carissa McCall (Auckland) and Picasso MVNZ won the ESNZ Eight-Year-Old Series crown, and Sarah Dixon (Dunedin) the Main-Events Tertiary Challenge. The TiES Jumping Series award went to Kate Beattie (Outram) aboard SmartyMarty, with Elyza McDonald (Masterton) and De Silver Lining taking the TiES Newcomer Award.

In the show hunter arena, Emily McMaster (Greytown) and Onetai Cover Girl won both the Aniwell Cat C High Points Series and the Big on Writing Pony Equitation Series. Olivia Woodward (Palmerston North) and Whittaker II took out the Sport Horse Junior High Points Series, Lauren Mitchell (Kumeu) and her well performed Craighaven Black Heart the ESNZ Show Hunter Junior Equitation, Lucy Oliver (Peka Peka) with Mr Miko Choo the Bay of Plenty and Waikato Show Hunter Groups 12 & Under Equitation Series, Anna Smith (Wyndham) and Starlight Smarda rode off with the Fiber Fresh Cat B High Points, and the Vero Insurance Cat A High Points went the way of Summer Roy (Gore) aboard Afallons Royal Salute. The TiES Show Hunter Award was won by Kylie Lyders (Ashburton) aboard Volonte 11.

The series final show marks the end the season for the nation’s showjumpers and show hunter competitors.

For full results, head to www.evoevents.co.nz

Tegan Fitzsimon heads back to the South Island today (Sunday) with the nation’s two top series crowns in her truck having added the POLi Payments Premier League Series to her trophy cabinet at the Glistening Waters Series Final Show in Masterton.

It was an emotional victory for the 31-year-old from West Melton who was hugely relieved to finish a challenging season on a high with her beloved Windermere Cappuccino.

“Windermere Cappuccino was super consistent at the start of the season and while not the greatest at our last two shows, he was really good today,” said the 31-year-old. “I am just relieved it is all over . . . it has been a very tough season.”

She’s now looking to take Windermere Cappuccino to Australia to see how they stack up on the international stage.

The series final class was a fitting finale to the season with eight combinations on eight faults or less coming back to be challenged in the second round of the Donella Still-designed course.

Each combination gave it their all but in the end the day belonged to Sophie Scott (Palmerston North) aboard Waitangi Skynet who was one of just two combinations to finish with a clean slate.

It was the dream season’s end for Penny Borthwick (Masterton) in the Country TV Pony Grand Prix Series, when she took the quinella with her team Foxden’s Merlot and Rednalhgih Cowan.

But the 15-year-old didn’t quite pull off The Rider Shop-sponsored Grand Final at her home show, having to settle for second and fifth behind victor Molly Smith (Timaru) aboard Vapour Trail NZPH.

Penny was ecstatic with the efforts of both her ponies. “They have both jumped really well. I am stoked with both of them,” she said. Between them they won 13 Pony Grand Prix Series classes this season.

It is just Foxden’s Merlot’s second season at Grand Prix level with Cowan a far more seasoned campaigner. It is Penny’s first ever series win. “To get first and second – it is just so cool. I would never have thought that would actually happen.”

The EvoEvents Horse Grand Prix Series went the way of Brooke Edgecombe (Waipukurau) and LT Host Andrea, who also won the EquiBreed Top-Ranking Mare Series. It’s the first time Brooke and Andrea, who are still the current holders of the Olympic Cup crown, have won the Horse Grand Prix Series.

Auckland horseman Daniel Blundell took the quinella in the grand final, winning aboard  Cadenza NZPH and placing second on Athena NZPH.

In the rider series, Larina Dolman (Gisborne) took out the Harrison Lane Pro-Am for the third consecutive time, Sam Carrington (Takapau) triumphed in the FMG Young Rider, Emma Gillies (Oamaru) won the Mainland Coachwork Junior, and Shanae McKay (Levin) claiming the Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur. The Main-Events Tertiary Challenge was won by Michaelee Head (Cambridge) with Bellick ST.

In the age group series, the Matthews Hanoverians Seven-Year-Old was won by : Lucy Olphert (Queenstown) Kiwi Strike (by Kiwi Coronation out of Kiwi Maze who is by Corlando GNZ), the UltraMox Six-Year-Old won by Georgina Dormer (Christchurch) Google NZPH (by Orlando out of Questions NZPH who is by Fetiche Du Pas), and the East Coast Performance Horses Five-Year-Old won by Ella Rae-Wood (Greymouth) TMS Annabella (by Chassini II, out of Millie who is by Voltaire II).

Lauren Mitchell (Kumeu) had an absolute blinder in the show hunter ring, winning the Sport Horse Junior High Points Series with Sonny Bill, the ESNZ Show Hunter Junior Equitation Series, and the Aniwell Cat C High Points Series aboard Mahachi Gold Rosado KF. She also won the NRM Open High Points grand final aboard Craighaven Black Heart, ESNZ Show Hunter Pony Equitation grand on Mahachi Gold Rosado KF, and placed in numerous other series and finals.

Louise Marriott (Rangiora) won both the NRM Open High Points Series and the Petticoat Lane Performance Horses Adult Equitation Series.

The three day series final show attracted more than 450 combinations from all over the country to the Solway Showgrounds, and is the culmination of a challenging season, that rewards those combinations who have been consistent throughout the year.
 
Results –
 
Showjumping, POLi Payments Premier League Series: Tegan Fitzsimon (West Melton) Windermere Cappuccino 187 points 1, Sophie Scott (Palmerston North) Waitangi Skynet 181 2, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) Central Park 125 3, Brooke Edgecombe (Waipukurau) LT Holst Andrea 104 4, Sophie Scott (Palmerston North) Glenbrooke Rich as Roses 56 5, Phillip Steiner (Tauranga) Cassina Dior 52 6.
 
Country TV Pony Grand Prix Series: Penny Borthwick (Masterton) Foxden’s Merlot 108 points 1, Penny Borthwick (Masterton) Rednalhgih Cowan 105 2, Johanna Wylaars (Christchurch) Wembleybrook Tiffany 100 3, Samantha Gillies (Oamaru) Doctor Jones 93 4, Molly Smith (Timaru) Vapour Trail NZPH 92 5, Tessa Mason (Hastings) Mr Acho 87 6.
 
EvoEvents Horse Grand Prix Series: Brooke Edgecombe (Waipukurau) LT Holst Andrea 64 points 1, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) Central Park 62 2, Nicole White (Invercargill) LC Samson 44 3, Tegan Fitzsimon (West Melton) Windermere Cappuccino 42 4, Sophie Scott (Palmerston North) Waitangi Skynet 39 5, Daniel Blundell (Auckland) Cadenza NZPH 36 6.
 
Matthews Hanoverians Seven-Year-Old Series: Lucy Olphert (Queenstown) Kiwi Strike (by Kiwi Coronation out of Kiwi Maze who is by Corlando GNZ) 94 points 1, Sam Carrington (Takapau) Double J Hurricane (by Eurosport Heartbreaker out of Double J Breeze who is by Voltaire II) 75 2, Sophie Scott (Palmerston North) Benrose Casino ECPH (by Cassiano out of Ngahiwi Red Rinse who is by Nikau) 74 3, Jeremy Whale (Hampton Downs) Bannockburn ECPH (by Cassiano out of Ngahiwi Emilionaire who is by Emilion VDL) 72 5, Sophie Scott (Palmerston North) Joopiter (by Eurosport Centavos out of Just Joop who is by Abalou) 68 6.
 
UltraMox Six-Year-Old Series: Georgina Dormer (Christchurch) Google NZPH (by Orlando out of Questions NZPH who is by Fetiche Du Pas) 58 points 1, Rose Alfeld (Leeston) Celebration ECPH (by Corofino II out of Crystal who is by Salutation) 50 2, Kimberley Carrington (Takapau) Double J Typhoon (by Eurosport Centavos out of Double J Breeze who is by Voltaire II) and Makenzie Causer (Canterbury) Lord Axel GNZ (by Lordano out of Angeline GNZ who is by Orlando) 38 =3, Oliver Edgecombe (Waipukurau) Takapoto Tinka (by Cassiano out of Claire who is by Chasseur) and Ike Baker (Hastings) Double J Graduate (by Double J Repicharge out of Sarah Jane who is by Chico Doro) 36 =5.
 
East Coast Performance Horses Five-Year-Old Series: Ella Rae-Wood (Greymouth) TMS Annabella (by Chassini II, out of Millie who is by Voltaire II) 52 points 1, Tara Gower (Ohura) Riverhills Legend (by Eurosport Centavos, out of Destiny who is by Ranfurly) 50 2, Sam Carrington (Takapau) Double J Odin (by Double J Repicharge out of Ophelia NZPH who is by Barbarian) 46 3, Anneke van Rooyen (Taumaranui) Awaroa New Edition (by Kannan out of Kahurangi Final Edition who is by Valiant), Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) Central Zone (by Central Park out of Fifi who is by Answer Back)  and Kimberley Carrington/Jesse Linton (Takapau) Double J Larrikin (by Double J Repicharge out of Rata Mill Ascot who is by Stanic) 44 =4.
 
FMG Young Rider Series: Sam Carrington (Takapau) 115 points 1, Samantha Gillies (Oamaru) 103 2, Sophie Scott (Palmerston North) 100 3, Sophie Townsend (Darfield) 93 4, Makenzie Causer (Christchurch) 90 5, Tyla Hackett (Waiuku) 87 6.
 
Main-Events Tertiary Challenge Series: Michaelee Head (Cambridge) 56 points 1, Samantha Megchelse (New Plymouth) 54 2, Jennalee Rose (Dannevirke) 46 3, Alexandra Mitchell (Wellington) 34 4, Amber Riddell (Cambridge) and Sophie Sinclair (Winton) 28 =5.
 
Mainland Junior Rider Series: Emma Gillies (Oamaru) 103 points 1, Kimberley Carrington (Takapau) 97 points 2, Mikayla Trott (Auckland) 72 3, Tara Gower (Ohura) 67 4, Meg Bisset (Blenheim) 66 5, Rose Windross (Auckland) 65 6.
 
Harrison Lane Pro-Am Rider Series: Larina Dolman (Gisborne) 104 points 1, Molly Buist Brown (Christchurch) 67 2, Jess Land (Christchurch) 64 3, Sally Clark (Dannevirke) 55 4, Katie Meredith (Ohoka) and Mathew Dickey (Hamilton) 52 =5.
 
Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider Series: Shanae McKay (Levin) 84 points 1, Gayle Baker (West Melton) 83 2, Jessica Trow (Whitford) 82 3, Ashley Johnston (Whangarei) 80 4, Kaleigh Kent (Otane) 70 5, Nigel Horton (Kumeroa) 69 6.
 
ESNZ Eight-Year-Old Series: Jesse Linton (Hastings) Kings Larkin.
 
TiES Jumping Series: Amy Gravatt (Whangarei) Totaranui TS Ripslinger.
 
EquiBreed Top-Ranking Mare: Brooke Edgecombe (Waipukurau) LT Holst Andrea.
 
EquiBreed and VDL Leading Stallion: Logan Massie (Dannevirke) Bravado Ego Z.
 
For full results, head to www.evoevents.co.nz

Nearly 500 of New Zealand’s best showjumpers and show hunters are converging on the Wairarapa this week for the Glistening Waters ESNZ Series Final Show where more than 1460 rounds will run over the weekend.

While the POLi Payments Premier League Series is the big one, every series is important as it marks a culmination of a challenging series and rewards consistency by combinations from across the country. Most are too close to call and with extra points on offer and results to drop there is plenty to chase. The number of classes contributing to the series points was lowered on the back of COVID restrictions which saw areas in lockdown and shows cancelled.

The premier league is turning into a two horse race between two-time series winner Tegan Fitzsimon (West Melton) aboard POLi Payments FEI World Cup (NZ) Series winner Windermere Cappuccino and National Premier Champ Sophie Scott (Palmerston North) on Waitangi Skynet.

The two sit 24 points apart, with 30 points going to the winner of the final at Masterton. With 13 quality combinations entered, including Olympic Cup holder Brooke Edgecombe (Waipukurau) on LT Holst Andrea and Olympian Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) with Central Park, it is guaranteed to be an exciting finish.

It's anyone’s game in the EvoEvents Horse Grand Prix Series with 25 points separating the top five. Brooke and Maurice are just 10 points apart at the top of the leaderboard, with Nicole White (Invercargill) on LC Samson six points behind Maurice and Tegan another two back.

Twenty-one are on the start list, but not Nicole, so it will likely be a tussle between the other three. Tegan and Windermere Cappuccino come in as defending champions.

Penny Borthwick (Masterton) will be looking to make the most of her hometown advantage in the Country TV Pony Grand Prix Series. She heads into the final in first and third spots on the leaderboard, sitting on 108 points aboard Foxden’s Merlot and 98 points with Rednalhgih Cowan. Johanna Wylaars (Christchurch) and Wembleybrook Tiffany are on 100 points.

It is a star-stacked 14-strong start list though with plenty of in-form ponies chasing glory including the likes of former Pony of the Year Fun house with Angus Price (Winton) and Oamaru’s Gillies sisters Emma and Samantha who have found some brilliant form in their North Island campaign.

Leading the FMG Young Rider Series is Sam Carrington (Takapau), with Samantha Gillies hot on her heels just six points behind and Sophie Scott just three more back. It is always a cracker of a class and with 14 talented combinations entered this year promises much.

Also to be decided are the age group classes – the East Coast Performance Horses Five-Year-Old, UltraMox Six-Year-Old and Matthews Hanoverians Seven-Year-Old – alongside the rider classes – Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider, Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider and Harrison Lane Pro-Am Rider – and the Main-Events Tertiary Challenge. The Equibreed and VDL Leading Stallion, Equibreed Top Ranking Mare and the top eight-year-old crowns are decided on points across the season without a specific final class.

The national show hunter series all culminate at the Glistening Waters Show. Donella Still is designing the courses in ring one, Greg Best in ring two and Chris Rogers in ring three, with Charelle Marshall tasked with the show hunter rings. The show starts on Friday.
 
WHAT: Glistening Waters ESNZ Series Final Show
WHEN: April 22-24, 2022
WHERE: Solway Showgrounds, Masterton
MORE INFO: www.evoevents.co.nz
LIVESTREAMING: Glistening Waters Showjumping Championships on Facebook

Up against some of the world’s leading equestrians, the New Zealand Mounted Games Under 17 Team, including Rangi Ruru Girls’ School Year 11 student Leah Zydenbos, has been named World Champions at Equitana in Auckland this weekend.

Teams from Australia, Ireland, and England held the next top spots in the U17 competition.

Director of Equestrian at Rangi Ruru, Pippa Young says it was a tough ride for this team with Leah, riding her borrowed mount Cheeky, and her team going up against some of the best equestrians in the world in a very close competition at times.

“It was very tense in the final particularly, with two eliminations and a tie-breaker in the very last game of the competition,” she says. “The New Zealand U17 team has been amazing over these few days,” says Ms Young. “Leah and her teammates worked so hard to triumph over the riders from all the other countries, with Australia, Ireland and England being particularly strong. They will all have been exhausted last night – riders and horses.”

Ms Young says Leah was the first rider out for many of the crucial games in the final this afternoon at Equitana in Auckland. 

“She has been outstanding; an exceptional team member.”

Leah has been able to include her equestrian training along with her day to day learning at Rangi Ruru.

“Individualised learning, while supporting and enabling girls to include the disciplines in which they excel, is something Rangi does very well. Leah knows this first hand with excellent academic results, equestrian success and she represents the school in top level basketball. We are thrilled to share in her success this weekend,” says Ms Young. “Her parents Sue and Rick, and brother Luke – all mounted games competitors themselves - are understandably very proud of their daughter too.”

Leah was a key part of the school’s success at the South Island Schools’ Mounted Games held at the Ellesmere Showgrounds in late April this year. She and Lily Buckley won the South Island Interschools Competition. Leah has also excelled in a number of other competitions, throughout New Zealand. She was recognised for this as a finalist in the Zonta individual sporting awards this year.

Mounted Games is a fast paced, action packed discipline with riders and mounts displaying an incredible amount of fitness, training and skill.  

Rangi Ruru’s Gold team has won the Jane Sullivan Canterbury Interschools One Day Horse Trial (ODHT) Trophy with the schools’ Blue team coming 4th – pipped for 3rd by 0.3 of a point.

Two other riders competed strongly for a composite team. 

Director of Equestrian at Rangi Ruru Girls’ School, Pippa Young says this is the first time Rangi Ruru has won the Trophy since successes in 2003 and 2004, and the sixth time in the trophy’s more than 30-year history.

“Jane Sullivan is a former Rangi Ruru student so to receive the trophy named after her, from her, was very significant to us all,” she says. “The girls performed brilliantly riding almost without any faults in Showjumping or Cross-country. That’s quite exceptional when you consider that all of the riders are in their first few years of secondary education, mostly Year 9 and 10.”

2016 has been a successful year for the Rangi Ruru equestrian teams.

“We have won the Canterbury Show Jumping and Eventing Canterbury Equestrian Inter-schools events this year, and performed very well in the Dressage,” says Pippa Young. “These girls are going from strength to strength which is testament to their dedication and skill, as well as the excellent equestrian programme we run here at Rangi Ruru.”

The wet and windy competitions on Sunday saw 22 teams compete at the National Equestrian Centre at McLeans Island.

Note:

The Gold team is Annabelle Jones, Mikayla Smith, Luca Swale and Olivia Goodwillie

The Blue Team is Brianna Bailey, Leah Zydenbos, Issy Ussher and Grace Thomson

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www.rangiruru.school.nz

Rangi Ruru equestrienne Grace Tripe has been awarded three national titles at the recent Horse of the Year competition held over the last week at Hastings, further adding to the school’s recent achievements in the saddle.

Horse of the Year is the largest show in the Southern Hemisphere, and the fourth largest in the world with some of the Show Jumping classes having more than 100 riders competing.

The Director of Equestrian at Rangi Ruru, Pippa Young says the competition calls for a fantastic effort from all riders, horse and families, including for the ferry crossing, she says.

Results:

Grace Tripe – Awarded 3 National titles. Riding ‘Beechcroft Playboy’ she won the Wonder Memorial Junior Trophy, Saddle Hunter Pony of the Year, Paced and Mannered Saddle Hunter Pony of the Year. Grace was 2nd in the NZ Riding Society Saddle Hunter Pony, and 4th in Rider under 17.   

Florence Tapley – Show Jumping. 2nd in 1.15 metre Pony on Bigtime. 8th in Pony 1.20 metre Championship on ‘Go Go Girl’, 6th in Horse 1.15 metre on Ngahiwi Call Girl, 9th in Junior Rider of the Year.

Mollie Carruthers – Mounted Games. Team came 3rd in Open B Final (Mollie rode up a grade) and team was 5th in the U17 Pairs B final; she was riding a borrowed pony.

Leah Zydenbos – 3rd in 1.05 metre showjumping. In the Mounted games – 3rd in the Pairs U14. Leah also placed fifth in her Mounted Games team final.

On March 22, Rangi Ruru will be offering girls from other schools the opportunity to see what

the Rangi Ruru Equestrian Programme has to offer. Might be a nice photo opportunity?

See http://www.rangiruru.school.nz/equestrian for more information or contact the Director of Equestrian, Pippa Young on 983 3700 or p.young@rangiruru.school.nz

Note: Photo credit: Show Circuit Magazine / Ryan Teece
 

The Rangi Ruru “Gold” Equestrian Show Jumping team has been placed first at the Canterbury Interschools Champs held on Wednesday at the National Equine Centre on McLeans Island.

Having last won this competition in 2008 and up against an extremely strong field of 30 teams, with many nationally competitive rider, Rangi Ruru Girls’ School Equestrian Coach Pippa Young says the win underscores the exceptional talent the school has coming through.

“These girls are New Zealand quality showjumpers and we have a large number of new riders coming in who are taking up the reins when the older riders finish at Rangi and move on,” she says. “We have increasing strength clearly coming through at all levels.”

A second Rangi Ruru team with members from Years 9 through 12 (Blue Team), competed strongly.

The winning Rangi Ruru team was Annabelle Jones (Year 9, from Lumsden); Brianna Bailey (Year 11 from Amberley), Leah Zydenbos (Year 10 from Darfield) and Florence Tapley who is team captain (Year 13 from Pigeon Bay).

Young says there was some “lovely riding” during the day with many competing in ¹Show Hunter classes for the first time. Alexis Harmon (from Kaikoura) a member of the Blue Team was fourth in the Equitation amongst all riders and won the Year Nine Show Hunter class.

“These girls are focused. They know what they can achieve and they work extremely hard to get there, as individuals and as a team,” she says.

Rangi Ruru is into its third year of offering Equine Studies to students, supported by enabling girls to “bring their horse to school” during the school year.

The next key event on the equestrian calendar for Rangi Ruru is the Canterbury Dressage competition at McLeans Island, about which Pippa Young is optimistic.

“We have the riders who could look very good this year,” she says.

¹ http://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/jumping/about/about-show-hunter/

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For more information, please contact Ali Jones on 027 247 3112.

The Equestrian Programme at Rangi Ruru Girls’ School: www.rangiruru.school.nz/equestrian

Rangi Ruru is the only girls’ school in the South Island with a dedicated programme that combines equine studies with riding ambitions.

Recent Successes

Rangi Ruru riders have won all the inter-school trophies over recent years and have competed successfully as individuals in all disciplines. Recently our riders have been successful as:

·         Winners of the Canterbury Secondary Schools Dressage Competition, including individual honours for riders, 2012 and 2013.

·         Winners of the A Grade section at the International SUPA (Schools and Universities Polo Association) Competition, including Most Valuable Player, 2012.

Rangi Ruru riders are well respected within the equestrian community as highly skilled riders and competitors. 

The school’s comprehensive programme provides riders with access to their horses during the regular school programme as well as expert training to develop their riding skills and participate in top level competition. Rangi’s extensive network and experience in working with leading trainers and administrators means that the school is able to provide girls with access to unmatched training facilities and opportunities.

Our agistment programme means that receiving an excellent education should not be compromised by your horse’s location as it can now come to school with you.

The Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe Park will give some of New Zealand’s top combinations a last big run before next month’s Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

The Kiwis have a great track record at the event, with Sir Mark Todd and Andrew Nicholson both multiple winners, and both will be hoping to replicate that again in the British Open Championship, the CIC3*.

Nicholson has his two top horses on the card – his two-time Land Rover Burghley winner Avebury (owned by Rosemary and Mark Barlow) and his 2011 Gatcombe winner Nereo (owned by Libby Sellar), on whom he will compete at the world championships.

Todd has Oloa (owned by Di Brunsden, Peter Cattrell, Pip McCarroll and Todd), while Craig Nicolai will also start in the big class on his own Just Ironic.

Included in the 53 combinations entered in the CIC3* are some of the world’s best. Australians Sam Burton and Christopher Burton, along with Brits Zara Phillips, Pippa Funnell, Nicola Wilson and others.
The dressage for the open starts on Saturday morning (UK time), with the showjumping and cross country on Sunday.

There are also plenty of New Zealand combinations competing in the other classes, including Neil Spratt on Barones II (owned by Craig Horton),Tim Price on Bango (owned by Price), Nicholson on Urma BK (owned by Paul Ridgeon),Jet Set IV (owned by Libby Sellar), Ulises (owned by Paul Ridgeon), Cillnabradden Evo (owned by Sally Anne Egginton), Thornton Jones (owned by Nicholson) and MHS King Joules (owned by Beedgebury Park, Gabriella Atkinson & Tom Joule), Dan Jocelyn on Valentijn V and Odds Against (owned by Hilary Kennedy), Alice Montgomery on Uno Di Landro (owned by Stephen and Charlotte Montgomery), and Todd on Leonidas II (owned by Di Brunsden, Peter Cattrell and Todd).
Gatcombe Park is the home of Princess Anne and her family.

For more information, head to http://www.gatcombe-horse.co.uk/ and for results, http://www.bdwp.co.uk/gat/ .

Taranaki dressage rider Vanessa Way has had to pull the pin on her dreams of representing New Zealand at the 2014 World Equestrian Championships in France.

With a heavy heart, the full time rider has announced that she is retiring NRM KH Arvan from top competition after he has failed to recover fully from a wind operation on his throat.

“He hasn’t been feeling himself since the North Island Championships in January,” says Way, who trains with world-leading dressage trainer Carl Hester in the United Kingdom.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better horse . . . there is no horse as generous as he is, and he has taken me to the other side of the world and back, and three times to Australia. He has done me proud.”

Fifteen-year-old Arvan has been with Way since he was two, and together they have won every major title from novice through to grand prix.

“In 11 years he has never let me down and I want to finish on a high.”

They are doing just that, having won the New Zealand Grand Prix Championship and North Island titles and just last weekend finishing as reserve Dressage Horse of the Year.

“I want to remember him like that . . . and I want everyone else to remember what a wonderful horse he is.”
Way said as soon as Arvan heard the music for his last class at the NRM Horse of the Year Show, he lifted as if to say “I know this, I can do it”.

Earlier in the show, the stress for Arvan of competing in tests had been obvious to Way.
“He will never be sold, and will be used to help me teach pupils.”

As soon as Way made the decision to retire the horse, she says it was a huge weight lifted from her shoulders.

“I have loved my season, and so enjoyed it, particularly the support of Bill Noble (who won Dressage Horse of the Year with Airthrey Highlander).”

Equestrian Sports New Zealand high performance director Sarah Harris fully supports Way’s decision.
“Arvan hasn’t recovered as well as was hoped from a wind operation and Vanessa knows only too well just what sort of marks are needed to be competitive at championship level. It is a wise choice.”

Harris is confident she will see the top dressage rider back on a national team in the future.

“She has two very nice young horses coming through so she will be back,” she says. “Vanessa is targeting the Rio Olympics with one of those horses, and looks on track.”

However, it does mean it is unlikely New Zealand will have a dressage representative at WEG this year.
“While it is a shame to not have Vanessa and Arvan at the World Champs, we do have an exciting group of young riders and horse combinations coming through the dressage grades that will be competitive in the future.”

Way extended a heartfelt thanks to all who had supported her, and promises that her next generation of horses will be competitive on a world stage.