Fiber Fresh Taupo Christmas Classic Showjumping - Results

The weekend’s weather bomb failed to dampen spirits as nearly 800 horses, from across New Zealand, took part in the Fiber Fresh Taupo Christmas Classic Showjumping.

While only three days of the planned four-day competition, at the Fiber Fresh National Equestrian Centre, Taupo could be held as result of the extremely heavy rain some top class showjumping still took place. 

Olympian Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) and Dunstan Daffodil showed they were world class when they took out the Fiber Fresh Taupo Grand Prix in torrential rain on Saturday afternoon.  McVean was the only competitor in the two round competition to finish with no faults.

Lisa Coupe (Kumeu) and Bates Amaretto MVNZ finished second, followed by Bernard Denton (Gisborne) on Suzuki.  Both finished with the same faults but Coupe had a faster time.

All the riders in the Murray Graham designed World Cup course showed their skill to ride the course in such torrential rain and it proved a real crowd pleaser to the many spectators.

Geordie Bull, Show Director, says unfortunately the rain resulted in some very deep surface water so Sunday’s competition, the National Derby, had to be cancelled in the interests of safety to both horse and rider.

“Luckily we were able to get through the first three days, even though there had been some heavy rain, and   we had managed to run the majority of classes including all of the series classes.

“The weather didn’t seem to dampen spirits too much and aside from the great competition we had some fun activities going on at the show.”

A successful fundraising auction was held and one auction item was the opportunity to walk Sunday’s derby course with Olympian Mark Todd (unfortunately cancelled due to the weather).

The novelty Barbara Thomson Pony 6- Bar was held on Friday and saw 21 competitors take part.  The four winning combinations jumped to a massive 1.45m on their ponies.

The Horsezone Leading Rider award went to Katie McVean. Congratulations Katie on a great show! The competition was close with Vicki Wilson, who was leading up until the World Cup round, only seven points behind.