Horse Of The Year Show Underway

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TUESDAY, March 16, 2010

Horse Of The Year Show Underway

New Zealand’s young riders have didn’t have it all their own way on the opening day of the Kelt Capital Horse of the Year Show in Hastings (Tuesday).

On the same day the national showjumping team was announced to take on the Aussies in the inaugural Nations Cup at the show, Queensland ’s young crew did their country proud by drawing first blood in the Trans Tasman Young Rider Challenge.

Riding borrowed horses, the four Queensland riders head into the second day with a three point buffer over both the New Zealand and NZ Composite teams who tied for second equal spot.

The victory came as no surprise to Australian chef d’equipe Alison Ford who ranked her team as one of the strongest in years.

It included Gemma Creighton, daughter of Olympian Guy, top junior riders Olivia Hamood and Tom Sedger, and the handy Kirsty Ansell.

Double clear rounds were spread between the teams, with New Zealand’s Chloe Akers (Palmerston North) riding the lovely big grey Sirocco Hercules and Rachel McGregor (Auckland) aboard Outward Bound, Composite team member Brad Cunningham (Christchurch) on the character-filled Snora, and Aussie Sedger on Pay Day NZPH all leaving clean slates.

The competition continues tomorrow (Wednesday) and Thursday, with the pools of horses changing between the teams.

Meanwhile the New Zealand team to take on Australia in the Nations Cup challenge on Friday evening has been announced.

Dairy farmer Robert Steele (Hawera) aboard Gospel leads an experienced team comprising Olympians Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) on Dunstan Delphi and Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) on Jedi Warrior, with former New Zealand representative Simon Wilson (Waipukurau) on Swinger. Reserve is Catherine Cameron ( Cambridge ) on Kahurangi Valentino with Ross Coles the chef d’equipe.

They’ll go head to head against an Australian team that is a mixture of youth and experience with Australian Young Rider of the Year Jamie Winning aboard the stunning Vangelo des Hazalles, Jono Berry on Quincy Z, Clem Smith on Dark Ages and former Australian World Cup series winner Billy Raymont on the New Zealand owned Cortaflex Nicalette NZPH.

Raymont is riding all of Anna Trent’s horses at the show. The full time NZPH rider and former NZ World Cup series winner broke her ankle three weeks ago.

More than 3200 people are camped at the 100-acre Hawke’s Bay Showgrounds in Hastings , in everything from vans to tents, salubrious trucks and everything in between.

They’re here to support the 2600 horses and riders who will compete over 18 disciplines in 28 arenas over the next five days. The show culminates with the crowning of the Showjumper of the Year on Sunday afternoon when the winner of the Bell Tea Olympic Cup is found

There are plenty of highlights at the show, including the induction of the first Horse of the Year Hall of Fame inductees on Thursday evening, the Nations Cup against Australia and so much more.

Show director Kevin Hansen was a happy man today as the first classes got underway in perfect conditions and pristine grounds.

“I am thrilled to see the trucks, the people, horses and everything all clicking into place,” he said.

Results –

Trans Tasman Young Rider Challenge: Queensland, Olivia Hamood, Winard Albert (owned by Amanda Wards) clear, 4 faults; Kirsty Ansell, Repias Harty (owned by Chris Hansen) 8 faults, 12 faults; Gemma Creighton, Matakau (owned by Robyn Coupe) 4 faults, 4 faults; Tom Sedger, Pay Day NZPH (owned by Warrick Hansen) clear, clear; total from best three riders over both rounds, 12 faults, 1; New Zealand, Chloe Akers (Palmerston North) Sirocco Hercules (owned by John Couper) clear, clear; Helen Bruce (Palmerston North) Fasaadi (owned by Jenna Mahoney) 12 faults, 16 faults; Rachel McGregor (Auckland) Outward Bound (owned by the Bentall Family) clear, clear; Tess Williams (Gisborne) My Word (owned by Nadine McFadzien) 12 faults, 4 faults; total from best from three, 16 faults and NZ Composite, Tegan Fitzsimon (Christchurch) Miss Victoria (owned by Devon van Til) 4 faults, 4 faults; Brad Cunningham (Christchurch) Snora (owned by Bailey Marshall) clear, clear; Rachael Bentall (Hastings) Kapka (owned by Susie Hamilton) 4 faults, 4 faults; Danielle Maurer (Auckland) Mahoenui (owned by Ruth Hone) 4 faults, 8 faults; best from three 16 faults, =2. Queensland 5 points, New Zealand and NZ Composite 2 points.

ends

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