Brougham Sets The Bar High at HOY

Brougham Sets The Bar High at HOY

Dressage rider Julie Brougham took a huge step towards Rio today after victory in the CDI FEI Grand Prix and notching what is believed to be a New Zealand record at the Farmlands Horse of the Year Show in Hastings.

The Manawatu mum and her showy German import Vom Feinsten performed to a captivated crowd, scoring 70.745% and bagging the last of five marks required making them eligible for selection for the Rio Olympics.

Later this month she and Vom Feinsten fly to Europe where they will base with Ton de Ridder in Aachen, Germany, and continue their campaign to secure the single spot available for New Zealand at Rio.

“I am just thrilled,” said Brougham. “Getting that last mark takes the pressure off us. That was his best grand prix and I am so pleased New Zealanders got to see the kind of work he has been doing in Australia this season. Today I just had to think passage and he did it – he felt confident and comfortable. It was very fluent and harmonious with plenty of energy.”

The combination are defending their Dressage Horse of the Year crown and will compete in the CDI FEI Grand Prix Special tomorrow, followed by the Freestyle to Music on Sunday.

“I am looking forward to the special tomorrow,” she said. “It is a test that usually suits him.”

Her biggest competition for the overall title and the berth to Rio comes from John Thompson (Hamilton) and JHT Antonello who finished second to them today, with 69.766%.

Vanessa Way (Taranaki) had a brilliant day winning the Level 2 Horse of the Year aboard NSC Pronto, Level 3 Horse of the Year on NRM Andreas and Level 4 Horse of the Year on NRM KH Arion.

All three horses also hold the North Island and National Championship titles.
“This is my magic year,” said Way.

In showjumping, the Aussies took the quinella in the McMillian Silver Fern Stakes with James Arkins and his New Zealand thoroughbred/warmblood cross Rosthwaite Vigilante II winning the hotly-contested class and his compatriot Clint Beresford on Emmaville Jitterbug second.

The $46,000 class – the second richest of the show – looked to belong to Helen McNaught-McFarlane (Taupo) and her quirky grey Carnutelabryere who headed into the second round with a clean slate and were all clear going into the last in the second round in a super quick time. However, it wasn’t to be and she finished on four faults for fourth place.

Keean Cooper (Te Kauwhata) jumped the round of his life aboard Amarula MVNZ to head home a very strong field to take the Dunstan Horse Feeds Young Rider of the Year crown.

The 16-year-old was the only one of 29 to go clear over the Werner Deeg (GER) designed course.

“My goal at the beginning of the season was to just get around a junior rider course . . . this is incredible,” said Cooper. “I have never jumped anything that big in my life. I was just so nervous . . . I never expected to win. This means everything to me – it is beyond a dream.”

In the CIC3* eventing, Rio hopeful Clarke Johnstone (Matangi) continues to dominate with Balmoral Sensation. The combination gave another master class, leaving everything in place in the showjumping to remain on their dressage score of 35.5 penalty points.

Samantha Felton (Cambridge) and Ricker Ridge Escada also came home clear to move from fourth to second place on 50.2 while Andy Daines (Kumeu) and Spring Panorama slipped to third after dropping a rail to finish on 52.3.
Dannie Lodder (Auckland) and Call Me Al have retained their lead in the CIC2* despite a rail in the showjumping. They sit on 42 penalty points with Juliet Wood and Donna Edwards-Smith in second equal on 46.2.

John Nicholson’s cross country course will challenge them all tomorrow. Around 20,000 people are expected at the Hawke’s Bay Showgrounds for People’s Day for the final discipline in the eventing class.

The six day show draws to a close on Sunday with the presentation of the Olympic Cup for the Showjumper of the Year.

ENDS

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