Billy the Kid Bags the Cheque at Horse Show

New Zealand may have annihilated Australia in the Nations Cup but the big bucks went across the Tasman when Billy Raymont won the Silver Fern Stakes at the Kelt Capital Horse of the Year Show in Hastings this evening (Friday).
Raymont aboard Cortaflex Levitation NZPH flew his way to victory in a classy jump-off against countryman Clem Smith (Australia) on Dark Ages and the in-form Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) aboard her two mounts Dunstan Delphi and Dunstan Daffodil.
The Nations Cup event, held as part of the class, the second richest of the show, totally belonged to the Kiwis, who took to heart their instructions from high performance leader Richard Sunderland.
“It may not be all about winning, but second just isn’t good enough,” he said before the class.
But he was a happy man after, with the entire team – McVean, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke), Simon Wilson (Waipukurau) and late call-up Catherine Cameron (Cambridge). Cameron, just back this week from competing in Korea, replaced captain Robert Steele who was injured in a fall today, and while she was absolutely thrilled to be part of the winning team, she was sad it was an injury that saw her promoted.
All four went clear in the second round of competition, leaving the team with just five faults from their best three competitors over the two rounds. The Australians finished on 29 faults from their best three over the two rounds, with just Smith on Dark Ages going double clear.
Raymont’s team effort aboard Cortaflex Nicalette NZPH saw him taking two rails each round.
Raymont and Levitation were first to go in the jump-off and set a cracking pace, going clear in 43..41. They were followed by McVean on Delphi who had problems rounding a corner and paid for it with a slow time, coming home in 46.15, then her next horse Daffodil who clocked the fastest time at 39.69 but took a rail after slicing a corner.
Smith was clear in 45.09.
“I prefer going out first,” said 30-year-old Raymont, who pocketed $13,500 for his win. “I put the pressure on Katie, she pushed hard and had a rail.”
He said to win on his own horse would have been fantastic, but to do it on a horse he had only just got on was quite special.
He is riding all of Anna Trent’s horses at the show – Trent broke her ankle three weeks ago and is gutted to be missing the chance at the nation’s top crowns.
“To be able to come to another country and ride such quality horses is just incredible,” said Raymont, a former winner of the World Cup series in Australia. “Anna has done a fantastic job on these horses. These NZPH horses are as good as anything else I have ridden in the world – they are purpose bred and just amazing.”
Chiropractic student Carissa McGregor is having quite a show. Yesterday the 21-year-old from Christchurch was called into the New Zealand composite team to compete in the last round of the Trans Tasman Young Rider Challenge, and today (Friday) she won the Big Red Trophy for Young Rider of the Year.
She guided her 11-year-old thoroughbred Chatterton to an impressive win ahead of 25 others – none of whom managed to go clear inside time.
McGregor went clear, with just one time fault, about mid-field and faced an agonizing wait while the rest of field wound out.
The only other combination to complete the course without taking rails was former Lady Rider of the Year Tess Williams (Gisborne) on Alltech Craighaven Nitro, who picked up two time faults.
Reigning champ Rachel McGregor (Auckland) and Kabo Benny Boy retired during their round.
In the three star eventing, Clarke Johnstone (Auckland) and Orient Express have a slim lead over Alice Montgomery (Christchurch) on Gordon, with Jenna Mahoney (Auckland) Santos in third and reigning champ Jonathan Paget (Auckland) on Clifton Promise in fourth spot after the dressage.
Eventers will compete in the cross country phase of the three day event tomorrow at the Hawke’s Bay Equestrian Park, with the showjumping phase on Sunday.
The show continues tomorrow (Saturday) with the big day on Sunday with the crowning of the Showjumper of the Year after the Bell Tea Olympic Cup.
The show has attracted 2600 combinations from all over the country, who compete throughout 18 disciplines over the six days.

Results –
Silver Fern Stakes: Billy Raymont (Australia) Cortaflex Levitation NZPH 1, Clem Smith (Australia) Dark Ages 2, Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Delphi 3, Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Daffodil 4, Team Horse Sales NZ Simon Wilson (Waipukurau) Swinger 5, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) Jedi Warrior, Catherine Cameron (Cambridge) Kahurangi Valentino, Adrian Bruce (Gisborne) Witheze =6.
Young rider: Carissa McGregor (Christchurch) Chatterton 1, Tess Williams (Gisborne) Alltech Craighaven Nitro 2, Anna Parsons ( ) Liquid Lunch 3, Danielle Maurer (Auckland) Blue Rinse 4, Kirsten McLeod (Gisborne) NZ Josef 5, Brad Cunningham (Christchurch) Cheltenham 6.
Junior rider: George Thorburn (Dannevirke) Chequebook 1, Bridget Grylis (Te Awamutu) Yippee-Yi-Yo 2, Bridget Hansen (Havelock North) Monamie NZPH 3, Hannah Burnett-Grant (Taupo) Winston Darco V 4, Jake Lambert (Cambridge) Quality NZPH 5, India Causebrook (Pukekohe) Banbury Spice 6.
Six year old horse of the year: Lisa Coupe (Kumeu) Bates Amaretto MVNZ 1, Karen Riddle (Cambridge) The Mighty Quinn 3, Vicki Wilson (Northland) Showtym Socialite 3, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) Schimmel Warrior 4, Angela Ruddenklau (Christchurch) Allure 5, Kim Best (Otane) IQ 6.
Seven year old horse of the year: Ike Unsworth (Tauranga) Wimbledon MVNZ 1, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) Wishing Warrior 2, Tom Tarver Priebe (Kawerau) Pick Me NZPH 3, Catherine Cameron (Cambridge) HR Khemosabi 4, Rachel McGregor (Auckland) Henton Exclusive 5, Natasha Lammers (Hikurangi) Tele-Star 6.
Eventing, CIC***: Clarke Johnstone (Auckland) Orient Express 42.1 faults 1, Alice Montgomery (Christchurch) Gordon 46.9 faults 2, Jenna Mahoney (Auckland) Santos 48.8 faults 3, Jonathan Paget (Auckland) Clifton Promise 50 4.
Showing, in hand pony of the year: Alan Windle (Shannon) Nala Emblem’s Zephyr 1, Colleen Ingram (Pukekohe) Emblem’s Regal Empire 2, Alan Windle (Shannon) Nala Emblem’s Windswept 3, Paul Reynolds (Hastings) Oaklanes Up The Tempo 4, Colleen Ingram (Pukekohe) Monstevos Just n Pretoria 5, Alan Windle (Shannon) Nala Nicholai’s Fern 6.
Rising star park hack of the year: Gabrielle Colley (Helensville) Desiray 1, Rachael Berry (Levin) Berry Rich 2, Victoria Western (Morrinsville) Greenmoor Zodiac 3, Rachael Hewson (Timaru) Daydream Believer 4, Julie Wylie Parkinson (Kumeu) Desert Gift 5, Claire Inglis (Levin) Rosemount Magic 6.
Saddle hunter pony of the year: Tyler Porteous (Kaiwaka) Willowspring 1, Courtney Symons (Drury) Aranui Victoria 2, Hannah Swenson (Fielding) Glenvar Silver Sixpence 3, Kayleigh Ryan (Matamata) Mahana Sweet Secret 4, Danielle Vollebregt (Hamilton) Miss Sparkles 5, Sarah Fannin (Pukekohe) Deeplake Fascination 6.
Saddle hunter pony of the year: Tinesha Carey (Hastings) Kirkwood Marcus 1, Amanda Clayton (Waipukurau) Skibbereen Legacy 2, Sarah Wadworth (Blenheim) Buckton Dominoff 3, Rebecca Wootten (Cambridge) Pendell Silver Secret 4, Erica Pine (Alexandra) Permission to Shine 5, Lucy Colin (Dannevirke) Rosewood Classic Fame 6.
Gee Wizz Memorial equestrian turnout: Vanessa Everton (Te Awamutu) Cuv’ee 1, Dorothy Lennard (Te Aroha) Glentullock 2, Andrea Hill (Napier) Skibinoff Bay 3, Kelly Shelly (Rotorua) Mysical Aloof 5, Maryanne Jefferies (Upper Hutt) Volante 6.
Adult senior rider of the year: Amanda Berridge (Cambridge) Volte SL 1, Simone Simpson (Drury) Gauntlet 2, Kelly Shelly (Rotorua) Poeme 3, Gaylene Lennard (Te Aroha) Glentullock 4, Jordan Murray (Blenheim) On Cloud Nine 5, Angela Darke (Invercargill) Uncle Pat 6.
Rising star hack of the year: Michael Morton-Beetham (Cambridge) Quidditch 1, Susan Reynolds (Hastings) Mancini 2, Kirsten Rodeka (Paraparaumu) New Divide 3, Katharine Gillaly (Palmerston North) Black Tuxedo 4, Nicola Lancaster (Christchurch) Poseidon 5, Anne Hjorth (Cambridge) Brilliant Cut 6.