Home town advantage to the max

Anna Stephen made the most of home ground advantage in the horse grand prix at the at the Wairarapa A & P Show in Carterton today (Sunday).

The 29-year-old full time Martinborough rider wasn't about to let a win get away from her and her lovely little bay horse Constantine. Despite being first of the five combinations through to the jump-off, she set a cracking pace, coming home clean and clear in 37.19 seconds.

Julie Davy (Hawke's Bay) and Air Hill Myka were next out but couldn't come close, stopping the clock in 38.82.

Stephen, who is having a brilliant season, made the most of everything in her favour, including her pint-size horse's ability to turn on a dime – they won the class in the turns.

Hawke's Bay youngster Bridget Hansen had a show to remember, winning the young rider class ahead of 14 other combinations, while also picking up wins in the five, six and seven year old series and a sixth in the junior rider, aboard her team of home-bred New Zealand Performance Horses mounts.

Her results cleared showed the depth and experience she has gained from her months competing in Australia earlier this year.

Morgan Percy (Masterton) and Surprise Illusion just took the pony grand prix by .85 of a second from Logan Massie (Dannevirke) and Kickin the Clouds.

The three day show attracted excellent entries, with riders enjoying chilly but mainly fine weather – until Sunday afternoon when the odd shower came through.

Results -

Cathay Pacific grand prix: Anna Stephen (Martinborough) Constantine 1, Julie Davy (Hawke's Bay) Air Hill Myka 2, Ashley Hart (Hawke's Bay) Kiwi Legacy 3, Amy Roydhouse (Taranaki) Roxborough 4, Oliver Edgecombe (Waipukurau) Cortaflex Billistic 5, Desiree Foxley (Hawke's Bay) Knight's Templer 6.

Pony grand prix: Morgan Percy (Masterton) Surprise Illusion 1, Logan Massie (Dannevirke) Kickin the Clouds 2, Kalah McKay (Levin) Kabo So Far 3, Rebecca Porter (Hawke's Bay) Chobidong 4, Tayla Mason (Wellington) Limmerick's Black Samba 5, Harry Duncan (Marton) Cheblinkers 6.

Astek Stud five year old: Bridget Hansen (Ocean Beach) Spotnik NZPH, Oliver Edgecombe (Waipukurau) Cortaflex Double J Butter, Sarah Jocelyn (Wellington) Curioso, Bridget Hansen (Ocean Beach) Shakespeare NZPH =1.

Mitavite six year old: Laken Rose (Dannevirke) Tiger Tale LS, Rachel Moore (Havelock North) Dark Ages, Bridget Hansen (Ocean Beach) Romeo NZPH =1.

Cushionride seven year old: Bridget Hansen (Ocean Beach) Quickstep NZPH 1, Kim Best (Otane) IQ 2, Ashley Hart (Hawke's Bay) Kiwi Blazon 3, Nigel Horton (Foxton) Miss Mopsey 4, Karen Bruce (Masterton) Kiwi Jive 5.

Young Rider: Bridget Hansen (Ocean Beach) Quickstep NZPH 1, Bridge Grylls (Te Awamutu) Yippee Yi Yo 2, Chloe Akers (Palmerston North) Brother Brown 3, Joanne Denton (Wellington) Merchiston Heathcliffe 4, Ruth Hone (Rotorua) Show Shine Polish 5, Pearl Delany-Girdlestone (Waikanae) Windale Gracious 6.

KiwiSpan junior rider: Shantelle Williams (Dannevirke) Cortaflex Payday NZPH 1, Henry Booth (Masterton) Get Shorty 2, Tayla Mason (Wellington) Double J Just Joop 3, Claudia Porter (Hawke's Bay) Mr Harrison 4, Elizabeth Horne (Palmerston North) Irish Fox Trot 5, Bridget Hansen (Ocean Beach) Renoir NZPH 6.

STH Pro amateur rider: Jeanette Williams (Pahiatua) Back Again 1, Noni Morgan (Hawke's Bay) El Molino 2, Anna Martin (Wellington) Leningrad Kip 3, Simon Harrison (Wanganui) By Gollie Ollie 4, Graeme Isaacson (Waipukurau) Lykon 5, Barry Beatson (Dannevirke) Masters Orders 6.