Kiwi Bridget Hansen Flying High at Sydney Royal Show

 

Nineteen-year-old Bridget Hansen (pictured) has ridden the round of her life to finish second in the prestigious Equestrian Australia Cup at the Sydney Royal Easter Show in Australia.

Aboard Nicalette NZPH, Hansen was just behind Tom McDermott aboard CP Rolex in the Equestrian Australia Cup, with Chris Chug aboard Diamond B Vigo third and Brook Dobbin on Advisor fourth. 

Earlier in the show Hansen was again in rich company in another of the main classes which saw her second behind Olympian Chugg, with another Olympian Vicki Roycroft third on Kartoon De Breve, Jamie Grant fourth on Cool K and Tom McDermott fifth. Chugg notched the only clear round, with Hansen the fastest of the four faulters.

But on Wednesday Hansen will need to step up even further in the World Cup round.

Hansen is riding a high though after some very polished riding in the two biggest classes of the show so far.

In the Equestrian Australia Cup, 21 started the class with just four going through to the jump-off. First out was Dobbin who clocked a pretty good time, but took a rail. Hansen was next and managed to slice four seconds off Dobbin’s time and leave everything in place. Chugg was next and was two seconds slower and had the last fence down. It was McDermott’s for the taking.

“He went the fastest I have ever seen anyone go in a jump-off,” says Hansen. “He was clear and beat me by two seconds! It was a really great class and Nicalette felt just awesome.”

The 11-year-old mare only teamed up with her young rider in November, and last season finished second in the Australian World Cup Series with Billy Raymont.

“She’s jumped super all show which has been amazing as it was quite a bit step up for us both to come to Australia’s biggest show of the year and jump1.5m every day.”

She was chuffed to have NZPH co-owners David and Brigit Kirk ringside to watch her go.

“It is so special to have them here with me, and it is not often they get to see their horses jump.”

Hansen knows tomorrow is going to be a tough one.

“But I have every confidence that Nicalette will step up to the plate once more.”

After that, the two will take 10 days off before heading to the Winning family’s Showcase of Showjumping Show at the Windsor Polo Fields where they will jump two days in the gold section.

That is followed by the weekend of world cups before a six week break.

Hansen will be joined by two more horses – Spotnik NZPH and Shakespeare NZPH – mid April, and she plans to campaign her team through the winter.

Story & Photo: ESNZ