Roberte Steele Wins Grand Prix at Dannevirke (NZ) A&P Show

Robert Steele is back on the winning track once again.

The Hawera dairy farmer steered the perennial Gospel to top honours in the horse grand prix at the one star Dannevirke A&P Show at the weekend.

Thirteen combinations started the class, with just six going through to the jump-off. First out was Lucy Akers (Opiki) and the quirky Cortaflex Tinapai threw a good challenge down with a super quick time, but finished on four faults thanks to a dropped rail.

Claire Wilson (Waipukurau) and Tipsey were next but also notched four faults and were slower than Akers and Tinapai.

Lydia Quay (Rotorua) on Kaipara Double Dee, Ruth Hone (Rotorua) Shoeshine Nugget and Melody Matheson (Hastings) on Cheltenham all gave their best but couldn’t match the leading ladies.

Leaving it to the ever-cool Steele, a late entry in the class, to take the victory.

The class rounded out two brilliant days of exciting showjumping across the grades at the Dannevirke Show.

Results

Horse Grand Prix: Robert Steele (Hawera) Gospel 1, Lucy Akers (Opiki) Cortaflex Tinapai 2, Claire Wilson (Waipukurau) Tipsey 3, Lydia Quay (New Plymouth) Kaipara Double Dee 4, Ruth Hone (Rotorua) Shoeshine Nugget 5, Melody Matheson (Hastings) Cheltenham.

Young Rider Series: Jesse Linton (Napier) Bessette 1, Caitlin Pemberton (Palmerston North) Fibre Fresh Popoloca 2, Melody Matheson (Hastings) Cheltenham 3, Anna Parsons (Takapau) Troy LS 4, Melody Matheson (Hastings) Scottish Lad 5, Jane Warren (Featherston) Darkages 6.

KiwiSpan Junior Rider Series: Shaun Fannin (Hastings) Liquid Lunch 1, Freya Gordon (Hawke’s Bay) The Big Apple 2, Sarah Fannin (Hastings) Strathcarion Zurak 3, Rebecca Porter (Hawke’s Bay) Mr Harrison 4, Carmen Strawbridge (Waipukurau) Just Kick On 5, Denver Ingram (Dannevirke) Ratu 6.

Mitavite Six Year Old Series: Jesse Linton (Napier) AP Ninja, Jesse Linton (Napier) Kiwi Sunray =1.

Fernhill Stud Five Year Old Series: Katherine Gillaly (Palmerston North) Double J Sunshine, Oliver Edgecombe (Waipukurau) Ultra Blue NZPH, Jesse Linton (Napier) Mustangs Mack, Hayley-Ann Oakley (Otaki) Master of Hossack =1.

Pony Grand Prix: Olivia Ahlborn (Hastings) Aorangi Ragtime 1, Jessie Goggin (Wellington) Te Mata Miss 2, Briar Lourie (Wanganui) Indian Dream 3, Shane McKay (Levin) Kabo So Far 4, Rebecca Porter (Hawke’s Bay) Chobidong 5, Timothy Richards (Cambridge) Mangakaraa Carbon Copy 6.

By: Diana Dobson/ESNZ