Steiners Ace First Grand Prix of the Season

Husband and wife Philip and Sally Steiner have had a bit of a dream start to the 2010-2011 showjumping season after taking first and second in the horse grand prix at the Pukahu Show in Hawke's Bay at the weekend.

In heavy ground conditions at the Hawke's Bay Equestrian Park, Phillip aboard Annandale Online NZPH sneaked home by just a single time fault ahead of Sally on Wickliffe Brannigan.

Sally also picked up a win in the seven year old series aboard Annandale Shalimah Distella, with Phillip securing a first equal in the six year old on Annandale Branson MVN.

Danielle Maurer (Auckland) and Blue Rinse headed home a 14 strong young rider class, with Melanie Weal (Te Awamutu) and Hopeful Illusion taking out the pony grand prix ahead of 20 other combinations.
Organisers were almost forced to cancel the two-day show after torrential rain early in the week, but a promising forecast saw it go ahead. The weather almost held out during daylight hours, but more than 50mm in the last 48 hours made it challenging conditions for both course builder Kevin Hansen (Hastings) and the many riders.

Results -
Cathay Pacific horse grand prix: Phillip Steiner (Tauranga) Annandale Online NZPH 1, Sally Steiner (Tauranga) Wickliffe Brannigan 2, Anna Stephen (Martinborough) Constantine 3, Claire Wilson (Waipukurau) Cortaflex Tipsey 4, Amy Roydhouse (Havelock North) Roxborough 5, Oliver Edgecombe (Waipukurau) Cortaflex Billistic 6.

Young rider: Danielle Maurer (Auckland) Blue Rinse 1, Carol Hughes (Hastings) Kiwi Brave 2, Pip Beachen (Hastings) Dark Vader 3, Krista Donnelly (Napier) Goldsmith 4, Mathew Dickey (New Plymouth) Kiwi Guard 5, Amy Collinson (Auckland) Gifted II 6.

Kiwispan junior rider: Bailey Marshall (Inglewood) Get 'em Tiger 1, Hannah Burnett-grant (Taupo) Winston Darco V 2, Melody Matheson (Hastings) Scottish Lad 3, Emma Deadman (Taupo) My Kinda Guy 4, Claudia Porter (Napier) Mr Harrison 5, Tayla Mason (Waikanae) Just Joop 6.

Iverquantel amateur rider: Nick Main (Kahauroa) When In Kenya 1, Louise Marriott (Kaikoura) Concur 2, Louise Marriott (Kaikoura) Matilda II 3, Claire Cole (Auckland) Sammy Ngatai 4, Tracy Horton (New Plymouth) HS Liquorice Twist 5, Jeanette Williams (Pahiatua) Back Again 6.


Pony grand prix: Melanie Weal (Te Awamutu) Hopeful Illusion 1, Robert Wellwood (Hastings) Airborne Magic 2, Emily Fraser (Takapau) Kababa Boy 3, Rebecca Porter (Napier) Chobidong 4, Lily Toothil (Auckland) Taonga-Iti 5, Harry Duncan (Hunterville) Cheblinkers 6.

Cushionride seven year old: Sally Steiner (Tauranga) Annandale Shalimah Distella 1, Nigel Horton (Palmerston North) Miss Mopsie 2, Kim Best (Otane) IQ 3, Karen Bruce (Hastings) Kiwi Jive 4, Katharine Gillaly (Palmerston North) Black Tuxedo 5, Ashley Hart (Hastings) Kiwi Blazon 6.

Mitavite six year old: Phillip Steiner (Tauranga) Annandale Branson MVN, Donna Atkinson (Rotorua) Fiber Fresh Thank God It's Friday, Kim Best (Otane) Giggles, Louise Marriott (Kaikoura) Concur =1.

Astek Stud five year old: Lucy Tod (Otaki) Langtry, Brooke Zander (Waipukurau) Horsesalesnz Strictly NZPH =1.