Laurie All the Way at Equidays
Katie Laurie underlined her class this weekend, winning both of the main horse showjumping classes at Equidays in
Mystery Creek.
She brought Zimorena G out of retirement to claim back-to-back victories in the Hyundai Horse Derby, pocketing $10,000
for her troubles.
Zimorena hasn’t jumped since 2013 Equidays, but headed home a 24-strong field with just four faults from the two rounds
over the Gerrit Beker-designed course. But they had to come from behind to do so.
Vicki Wilson (Hikurangi) and Ngahiwi Showtym Premier were the only clears in the opening round, with Laurie bagging four
faults on Zimorena and Frangipanne De Toxandria. However, Laurie went clear with both in the second round, and it was up
to Wilson to leave the slate clean for the win. A pesky rail and a time of 60.56 seconds put paid to that and she had to
settle for second behind Laurie who while also on four faults, stopped the clock at 56.91. Frangipanne De Toxandria was
third with four faults in 64.5.
Laurie also won the Country TV Horse Grand Prix aboard Dunstan Kiwi Iron Mark (owned by June Berrington) notching the
only double clear of the 18-strong class.
The in-form Helen McNaught-McFarlane (Taupo) and her quirky giant Carnutelabryere were second with four faults.
Results -
Pony Grand Prix: Olivia Miller (Te Puke) Kaycee Mackay 1, Jaimie Jefferson (Ngaruawahia) Envious Edition 2, Brooke
Jenkins (Wellington) Viva Piñata 3, Briar Burnett-Grant (Taupo) Mighty Maximus 4, Oliver Croucher (Rotorua) Maserati II
5, Emelia Forsyth (Paeroa) Soleado 6.
Country TV Horse Grand Prix: Katie Laurie (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Kiwi Iron Mark (owned by June Berrington) 1, Helen
McNaught-McFarlane (Taupo) Carnutelabryere 2, Jono Smith (Muriwai Beach) SP Vision 3, Jono Smith (Muriwai Beach) Qualine
De Kergane WHS 4, Ella Varcoe (Auckland) Astek Incahoots 5, Clarke Johnstone (Cambridge) Balmoral Sensation 6.
Pony Derby: Sarah West (Matamata) Showtym Cruiser 1, Leeshelle Small (Pukekohe) Mahoe Moon Frost 2, Jessica Smitstra
(Matamata) Alshar Silver Zara 3, Ellenna Caudwell (Pokeno) Windvale Faraz 4, Hannah Bodle (Morrinsville) Mister Brumby
5, Crystal Hackett (Waiuku) Silver Bullet I 6.
Hyundai Horse Derby: Katie Laurie (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Zimorena G 1, Vicki Wilson (Hikurangi) Ngahiwi Showtym Premier
2, Katie Laurie (Mystery Creek) Frangipanne De Toxandria 3, Samantha Peters (Kamo) Triumphant NPZH 4, Joshua Barker
(Morrinsville) Eros K 5, Catherine Cameron (Cambridge) Campione GNZ 6.
Cross Country and Showjumping Challenge: Clarke Johnstone (Cambridge) Sportsman II 1, Joseph Waldron (Waikato)
Springvale All Black 2, Lauren Alexander (Auckland) BMW Ripley 3, Angela Lloyd (Papakura) Song 4, Donna Smith (Te
Kauwhata) Cluny 5, Danielle Wheeler (Papakura) One Cool Dude 6.
ends