Wilson Wizzes around to take the pony grand prix

 

It’s been a season to treasure for Amanda Wilson in her last year of pony riding.

The 17-year-old from Hukerenui in Northland today won the Pony of the Year at the 2010 Kelt Capital Horse of the Year Show in Hastings.

In a beautifully ridden round, she guided her coloured six-year-old pony Showtym Viking to a superb victory in an action-packed and speedy jump-off against three other combinations.

It was her fifth grand prix win of the season, which included taking the national showjumping title, made all the more special because the gelding only learnt to jump last winter.

Ahead of her in the jump-off Jake Lambert (Cambridge) and Soul Sister had sent a cracking pace, bolting round in 32.71.

Then came Claudia Porter (Hawke’s Bay) on lovely roan Tallyho Bandit who took a rail early in the piece, finishing on four faults in 35.67.

Then it was Wilson’s turn, and she stopped the clock at 32.45. The showy little chestnut Sweet Addition in the hands of Olivia Robertson (Queenstown) clocked the fastest time of the class in 31.94 but took a rail at the second to last fence.

“This is absolutely the perfect way to finish,” said an ecstatic Wilson. “He is one of the best ponies in the world to me.”

When older sister Vicki jumped the pony she knew immediately, he was something special. He had been brought to her for schooling but they ended up buying him – and have not a regret for it now.

“Winning the Pony of the Year is just something I just wouldn’t ever believe would happen to us,” said Wilson.

In the premier stakes local star Julie Davey aboard Air Hill Myka (owned by Paul and Carol Nelson) took the class by just .08 of a second ahead of Jamie Winning (Australia) on Congo Z.

In a large class that included some quality combinations, like Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) on Corofino II, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) Once a Warrior, Daniel Meech (Hastings) on Winston Darco V, Claire Wilson (Waipukurau) on Tipsey and Catherine Cameron (Dannevirke) on Kahurangi Tardak, just four went through to the jump-off.

Twenty-year-old visitor Winning was out first on her big bay Congo Z and did a clean steady round, stopping the clock at 42.41.

Meech and Darco were unlucky at the first of the double and took the second as well, bagging eight faults.

Then came Davey and Myka who clocked a slick clear round in 42.33, with Wilson and Tipsey taking a rail.

Davey, a two time winner of Lady Rider of the Year and runner-up in the class this year, has never even started in the premier stakes before, usually opting for the Olympic Cup on the final day of the show – horses are not allowed to start in both.

But this year, she didn’t think Myka had quite enough experience over the big tracks.

“I wanted her to finish on a high note,” says the 30-something-year old, who was part of the team who helped New Zealand qualify for the Sydney Olympics.

Davey, who was diagnosed with MS in 2002, says she is just as happy winning a 1m class as she is a world cup class.

Her doctors tell her she shouldn’t even be able to do what she does.

“I am just happy to be out there riding,” she says.

Taranaki took the New Zealand Pony Club team of the year crown after a very smart jump-off round from team captain Shannon Seaver on her mother’s hunter Jupiter Moon..

A stunning chestnut horse, Jupiter went steady for the first half of the jump-off before notching up a gear or three to fly home nearly two seconds ahead of Alexa Cook (Hawke’s Bay) on My Bushbaby who was also clear.

The lead has changed in the CIC*** eventing after overnight leader Clarke Johnstone (Waikato) and Orient Express retired after going askew on the course. Taking full advantage of his misfortune was Alice Montgomery (Central Districts) and Gordon who rode a very strong cross country course to take the lead, with defending champ Jonathan Paget (Auckland) and Clifton Promise moving up the ranks into third slot.

World class course designer John Nicholson once again built a tremendous cross country course for riders and spectators, making the most of the very attractive Hawke’s Bay Equestrian Park and including the Flaxmere Golf Club greens.

Fifteen combinations will start in the showjumping, the final phase of the three day event, tomorrow (Sunday).

New Zealand high performance leader and coach Erik Duvander was most impressed with the quality of riding in the three star, saying the KCHoY ambience offered the perfect challenge for those looking to step up.

The show culminates with the awarding of the Bell Tea Olympic Cup tomorrow afternoon when the Showjumper of the Year is crowned.

Results - Showjumping, pony of the year: Amanda Wilson (Northland) Showtym Viking 1, Jake Lambert (Cambridge) Soul Sister 2, Olivia Robertson (Queenstown) Sweet Addition 3, Claudia Porter (Hawke’s Bay) Tallyho Bandit 4, Hannah Burnett-Grant (Taupo) Mighty Maximus, Luke Dee (Gisborne) Wild Thing, Luke Dee (Gisborne) Maximus, Jake Lambert (Cambridge) Co Calico =5.

Premier stakes: Julie Davey (Hastings) Air Hill Myka (owned by Paul and Carol Nelson) 1, Jamie Winning (Australia) Congo Z 2, Team Horse Sales NZ Claire Wilson (Waipukurau) Tipsey 3, Daniel Meech (Hastings) Winston Darco V 4, Amy Roydhouse (Hawke’s Bay) Roxborough 5, Vicki Wilson (Northland) Showtym Girl 6.

NZ Pony Club team of the year: Taranaki (Shannon Seaver on Jupiter Moon, Laura Huttered on Spot U Later, Toni Bracegirdle on Marseille, Summer Russell on The Good Guy) 1, Hawke’s Bay (Emily Fraser on Kababa Boy, Aidan Lau-Guild on Shar Kahn, Alexa Cook on My Bushbaby, Carmyn Strawbridge on Just Kick On) 2, Ashburton, South Canterbury, North Otago ( Kimberley Bird on Showtym Image, Lucinda Askin on Mahoe Moon Frost, Stacey Anderson on Cruiser, Annabel Askin on Rock Avon) 3.

Puissance of the year – two fence challenge: Adrian Bruce (Gisborne) Witheze, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) Apollo van Evendale =1, Jamie Beatson (Cambridge) Ombudsman, Vicky Wilson (Northland) Storm Dance =3.

Junior rider of the year: Jake Lambert (Cambridge) Quality NZPH 1, Jennifer Leslie (Drury) Macavee 2, Candice Fox (Papakura) Larkham 3, Lisa Hogg (Bay of Plenty) Brooke BSH 4, Katie Meredith (Kaiapoi) Rio Madrid 5, Bridget Grylis (Te Awamutu) Yippee-Yi-Yo 6.

Six bar for ponies: Katie Anna Allen (New Plymouth) Pioneer Jade 1, Nicole White (Invercargill) Benson Dun It 2, Aidan Lau-Guild (Napier) Shar-Kahn 3, Hayley Lockhart (Auckland) Mai Amoray, Hannah Harding (Papakura) Hawaii Haka, Olivia Robertson (Queenstown) Mr Black Magic =4.

Pony championship stakes 1.25m: Jake Lambert (Cambridge) Soul Sister 1, Logan Massie (Dannevirke) Kickin the Clouds 2, Luke Dee (Gisborne) Maximus 3, Rebekah van Tiel (Pukekohe) Guthrie 4, Kalah McKay (Levin) Kabo So Far 5, Claudia Porter (Hastings) Tallyho Bandit 6.

Eventing, CIC*** (after two phases): Alice Montgomery (Central Districts) Gordon 54.5 1, Jonathan Paget (Auckland) Clifton Promise 56.4 2, Jenna Mahoney (Auckland) Santos 59.6 3.

Showing, saddle hunter pony of the year 138cm and under: Tyler Porteous (Kaiwaka) Willowspring Huntingdon.

Supreme saddle hunter horse of the year: Dorothy Lennard (Te Aroha) Glentullock.

Supreme park hack of the year: Natacha Otto (Te Awamutu) Cuv’ee.

Rising star pony of the year: Samantha Davey/Alan Windle (Palmerston North) Nala Nicholais Holly.