Youngsters Provide Highlight at Series Final

Youngsters Provide Highlight at Series Final

The younger superstars of equestrian provided the highlight in the Series Final Show in Taranaki at the weekend.

The Country TV Pony Grand Prix final was one of the best classes of the two day show, with nine of the 11 starters coming back for a jump-off over the Gerrit Beker (Tauranga) designed course. At stake was not just bragging rights for a final win, but also valuable points to qualify for the Pony of the Year class at the fast-approaching NRM Horse of the Year Show.

Second out in the jump-off was Sophie Collins (Wanganui) on Barrel 51 who laid the challenge with a clear round in 50.02 seconds.

Mid-field, local Parys Marshall (Inglewood) aboard Spot U Later stepped up to also go clear and shave valuable seconds off Collins’ time to stop the clock at 46.82 – much to the delight of a very parochial crowd.

But then came Shanaye McKay (Levin) and her 18-year-old pony Kabo So Far who set a cracking pace aboard a sometimes tricky pony to go clear in 44.18.

Last to go was Steffi Whittaker (Christchurch) on Moonlight Glow who looked to have it but her wider corners cost her dearly and while clear, she came home in 45.49 seconds to claim the runner-up berth.

It was McKay’s first three star grand prix victory.

Emily Fraser (Feilding) had a brilliant finals show winning the Telford Young Rider Series Final and taking the quinella in the KiwiSpan Junior Rider final.

Aboard Maximillion II, her freebie off the track who she has produced herself, she took the honours in the young rider. It was a tough class, with the very in-form South Islanders Nicole White and Olivia Robertson always dangerous, but having to settle for the minor placings today.

Fraser won the junior rider aboard Mr Munga and was second with Roulez Rouge.

Finals results are below and the series winners will be confirmed overnight and available on the www.nzequestrian.org.nz.

Results -

Bayer Super League Final: Samantha McIntosh (Cambridge) Estina (owned by Lakeridge Equestrian) 1, Bernard Denton (Feilding) Horseports Suzuki 2, Paula Mussen (Auckland) KK Tane Mahuta 3.

ESNZ Jumping Grand Prix Final: Lucy Akers (Opiki) Cortaflex Tinapai 1, Bernard Denton (Feilding) Horsesports Suzuki 2, Jono Smith (Auckland) Qualine De Kergane WHS 3, Tegan Fitzsimon (Christchurch) Alacazam 4, Simon Wilson (Waipukurau) McMillans Midway Smooth Dude 5, Claire Wilson (Waipukurau) McMillans Tipsey 6.

Country TV Pony Grand Prix Final: Shanae McKay (Levin) Kabo So Far 1, Steffi Whittaker (Christchurch) Moonlight Glow 2, Parys Marshall (Inglewood) Spot u Later 3, Sophie Collins (Wanganui) Barrel 51 4, Bryony Smith (Cambridge) Homeland Hero 5, Caitlyn Horton (Inglewood) Limericks Black Samba 6.

Telford Young Rider Series Final: Emily Fraser (Feilding) Maximillion II 1, Nicole White (Invercargill) Cricklewood Ace 2, Robert Wellwood (Hastings) Cavallino 3, Olivia Robertson (Rangiora) Ngahiwi Cisco 4, Suzannah Willis (Australia) Copabella Haymen 5, Jesse Linton (Hastings) AP Ninja 6.

KiwiSpan Junior Rider Series Final: Emily Fraser (Feilding) Mr Munga 3 1, Emily Fraser (Feilding) Roulez Rouge 2, Larina Dolman (Gisborne) Kiwi Lansing 3, Laura Hilhorst (Cambridge) Piatella 4, Ruby Hilhorst (Cambridge) Leeston Eagle 5, Rebekah van Tiel (Pukekohe) Ngahiwi Kapka 6.

Caledonian Amateur Rider Series Final: Kirsty Fabish (Stratford) Midnight Promise Me 1, Jo Andrews (Waikanae) Ecxtacy 2, Kirsty Gradwell (Auckland) Ngahiwi Kapka 3, Natasha Mazey (Wellington) Kabo Lunar 4, Graeme Isaacson (Dannevirke) Lykon 5, Merran Hain (Gisborne) Untouchable 6.

STH/LG Forge Pro Amateur Final: Michelle Wakeling (Auckland) BMW Littoroan 1, Pearl Delany Girdlestone (Waikanae) Windale Gracious 2, Dean Morgan (Te Awamutu) FIS Outrageous 3, Laura Knight (Palmerston North) Sir Arthur 4, Charlotte McGregor (Cambridge) NZ Supreme 5, Joy McNeil (Northland) Bella Vi 6.

Main-Events University Final: Chloe Akers (Opiki) Cortaflex Kiwi Motto 1, Tinesha Carey (Hastings) Air Hill Squaw Valley 2, Robert Wellwood (Hastings) Cavallino 3, Anna Parsons (Hastings) Troy LS 4, Melody Matheson (Hastings) Roulette MH 6.

Outpost Building 7 Year Old Final: Kirk Myers (Taranaki) Kiwi Bird1, Emily Fraser (Feilding) Kiwi Sunray 2, Jesse Linton (Hastings) AP Ninja 3, Joy McNeil (Northland) Bella Vi 4, Olivia Robertson (Rangiora) DHS Ceniki 5, Robert Wellwood (Hastings) Insightful 6.

Mitavite Munga 6 Year Old Final: Mathew Dickey (Oakura) Quango 1, Katharine Gillaly (Woodville) Double J Sunshine 2, Elizabeth Vincent (Palmerston North) Utah Jazz NZPH 3, Nicki Booth (Masterton) Collina 4, Claire Wilson (Waipukurau) McMillans Frederika RE 5, Antoine Ogilvie (Auckland) Ripple Effect 6.

Canterbury Equestrian 5 Year Old Final: Ashley Hart (Hastings) Kiwi Lux 1, Timothy Pearce (Marton) Oracle WT 2, Amanda Wilson (Hikurangi) Showtym Rebel 3, Timothy Pearce (Marton) Lunar Rossa G 4, Pearl Delaney-Girdlestone (Waikanae) Illustrious 5, Tinesha Carey (Hastings) Double J Monarch 6.

ENDS

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