Quality Leads the Way at Hawera

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.