Madison Crowe and Waitangi Pinterest at Taupo
All the ESNZ Eventing series concluded at the NRM National Three-day Event at Taupo except the Super League, which has been extended to include the Melbourne Three Day Event as the Oceania squad horses did not contest the CCI3* at Taupo. A short format CIC3* was staged for their final run before the Oceania Championships on 8-12 June.
EQUESTRIAN ENTRIES PRO-AM RIDER
Madison Crowe ended her outstanding season on Waitangi Pinterest with an all the way win in the Bates CCI2* to reclaim top spot in the Equestrian Entries Pro-Am Rider series. The 23 year old Hamilton based accountant has had the Joss Bayley bred mare since July, but gelled easily with her as she had been well trained by Chloe Phillips-Harris initially, and subsequently Juliet Wood.
Maddy was previously a member of the NZ Young Rider team with Brogan, who she says “taught me how to ride” but Lush, as Pinterest is known, “has taken it to a whole new level.” She credits Clarke Johnstone, with whom her horses are based, and Nick Brooks for helping her reach the heights she has attained this season, but says, “Mum and Dad are my chief sponsors,” with father Richard chief groom at events too!
Holly Morrell, who took the lead on Pampero following the penultimate event, did not start at Taupo, feeling the horse was not right, and her pinned collar-bone, which kept her out of action earlier in the season, was reacting to the wet weather. But they held on to second place, having managed to post more than ten results, even with the interruption.
Louise Mulholland held on for third place with Mr McTaggart despite withdrawing before the showjumping, and South Islander Corey Wood placed fourth without being at Taupo. The big mover was Angela Lloyd on Lyrical, who came from behind to win the Fiber Fresh CCI1* and leap into fifth place ahead of Georgia Bennett on Johnny Castle.
Final results: Madison Crowe, Waitangi Pinterest, 252.5 pts, 1; Holly Morrell, Pampero, 200 pts, 2; Louise Mulholland, Mr McTaggart, 177 pts, 3; Corey Wood, Pick Up Line, 154.5 pts, 4; Angela Lloyd, Lyrical, 136 pts, 5; Georgia Bennett, Johnny Castle, 133 pts, 6.
MITAVITE YOUNG RIDER
NZ Young Rider Oceania team member Abigail Long, from Levin, has achieved all her goals with Enzo this season, winning the NZ Young Rider Championship at Springbush Hunua, and capping it off by also winning the Mitavite Young Rider series. They did not feature in the top six at the halfway stage, but the autumn was successful for them and they opened up a huge margin on the points table.
Last year’s winner of both the title and the series, Jackson Bovill on Visionnaire, had to settle for second place this year, but they have moved up to 3* level which has been a challenge, setting them up for future success at the top, and getting a taste of it when they placed second in the 2016 Forest Gate National One-day Championships at Arran Station. They are also members of the NZ Young Rider Oceania team.
Charlotte Edwards on Façade and Greer Caddigan on Gymnastik Showdown have been consistent all season to be third and fourth, and along with Elise Power on Arctic Cielo and Jeffrey Amon on My Silver Lining in fifth and sixth, they all added to their tally at Taupo.
Final results: Abigail Long, Enzo, 170 pts, 1; Jackson Bovill, Visionnaire, 147 pts, 2; Charlotte Edwards, Façade, 143 pts, 3; Greer Caddigan, Gymnastik Showdown, 140 pts, 4; Elise Power, Arctic Cielo, 121 pts, 5; Jeffrey Amon, My Silver Lining, 115 pts, 6.
PGG WRIGHTSON JUNIOR RIDER
Fittingly the National Junior Rider champion, Kate Herdson on Eon, is also the winner of the PGG Wrightson Junior Rider series. The 17 year old St Cuthbert’s College student has had Eon for two years, but both suffered injury the first year, Eon escaping from a yard and slipping on the road, and Kate had a bone infection in her knee.
An 11 year old warmblood bred by Sarah Milne, Eon won the Young Event Horse at Taupo and was sold overseas, but failed the veterinary examination. After being turned out, he whipped with Sarah for the Waikato Hunt prior to being bought by the Herdson family. Dannie Lodder competed him while Kate was recovering, and they won the CIC1* at Kihikihi last year.
A member of Pointways Pony Club, Kate “had a terrible pony that bucked me off every weekend, so I stole Mum’s horses for pre-novice.” The Herdsons live in Remuera and mother Ingrid commutes to the horses at Hunua every day. Kate says, “I don’t know where I’d be without her.” She has no plans on leaving school, but says “Dad would never let me be a full time equestrian, he says it’s not a proper job.”
Cantabrian Lucy Turner and Carbon hung on for second place despite not competing since February, but they had established a compelling lead after winning the CCI2*YR at Puhinui in December. Lucy is also an under 18 Canterbury hockey representative.
Another South Islander fills third place, Mikayla Green on the thoroughbred Star’s Ransom, who did make the long inland trip from Rangiora to compete at Taupo. Two combinations share fourth place, Beth Wilson on Alto et Audax and Lily Patterson on Milika, and likewise sixth place is shared by Isaac Twigg on The Juggler and Samuel Amon on Trojan Warrior.
Final results: Kate Herson, Eon, 156 pts, 1; Lucy Turner, Carbon, 139 pts, 2; Mikayla Green, Star’s Ransom, 138.5 pts, 3; Beth Wilson, Alto et Audax, 128 pts, 4=; Lily Patterson, Milika, 128 pts, 4=; Isaac Twigg, The Juggler, 123 pts, 6=; Samuel Amon, Trojan Warrior, 123 pts, 6=.
TRU-TEST AMATEUR RIDER
Two riders have dominated the top four placings in the Tru-Test Amateur Rider series during the autumn, with Taupo’s Alex Anderson winning on her imported warmblood mare Gina VT Bloemenhof, and placing fourth with Danherz, while Shannon Galloway filled second and third spots with Airthrey Jean Genie and Day Walker.
Alex was originally a dressage specialist, and bought Gina for that purpose, but decided she wanted to gain her NZPCA A certificate, for which she had to jump, so both learned together and achieved that goal. The registered nurse decided it was too much fun to stop jumping, so tried eventing, and the rest as they say is history. They were second in the series last year.
Sally Gunn made a late run with Kiwi Highlight to finish fifth, with Jade Le Petit on Agricola and Susan Le Mesurier on Felton Rd sixth equal.
Final results: Alex Anderson, Gina VT Bloemenhof, 105 pts, 1; Shannon Galloway, Airthrey Jean Genie, 89 pts, 2; Shannon Galloway, Day Walker, 82 pts, 3; Alex Anderson, Danherz, 79 pts, 4; Sally Gunn, Kiwi Highlight, 76.5, 5; Jade Le Petit, Agricola, 57 pts, 6=; Susan Le Mesurier, Felton Road, 57 pts; 6=.
GRASS ROOTS
The Grass Roots competitors have remained consistent with the same horses and riders juggling position at the top of the points table throughout the year long series.
Final results: Anna Mesman, Chester FW, 148 pts, 1; Jane Callaghan, Weiti West End, 106 pts, 2; Ashley Johnson, Miss Vee NZPH, 76 pts, 3; Jenny Pearce, Top Steel, 62 pts, 4; Helen McGrath, Woodbine Magic Maze, 56 pts, 5=; Jen Buchanan, Zip It Up, 56 pts, 5=.
Virginia Caro
