Kiwis Take out the first Trans Tasman Jumping Test

 

After a very heavy storm, all Saturday classes were cancelled and the Grand Prix postponed to Sunday morning.

Designed by Gerrit Bekker (NED) the course was a strong 1.50 - 1.55m.

“It was a serious track,” commented Australian Chef d’ Equipe Vicki Roycroft. 

“Considering the ground it may have been a little too strong. There were no double clear rounds and the class was won on four faults.”

Fourteen started in the class (including six non-team combinations) with just 12 going through to the second round.

New Zealand team member Simon Wilson (Swinger) was clear in the first round, and had just one down in the second to take the win ahead of New Zealand team reserve Ashburton’s Susie Hayward on her stallion Andretti finishing on a score of 6 faults, with 4 faults from the first round and two time faults in the second.

Australian non-team member Paula Hamood on Nero GPH finished third (congratulations Paula!) with Katie McVean fourth on Dunstan Daffodil fourth with 8 faults from the first round, and a clear in the second.

Each of the Aussie team members incurred 8 faults in the first round. In the second Evie Buller (8), Jamie Winning (elim) Tim Clarke (0) and Brett Warren (12).

The New Zealand team finished on a score of 28 faults, well clear of the Australians on 44 over the two round competition.

Despite the loss Roycroft was happy with the team’s efforts. “This is a team of first time senior team representatives and they did a great job.  The horses were a little fresh having missed the Saturday classes. I think every combination will take a lot away from this show and will be better for it,” she said.

The second test will take place during the NZ Horse of the Year Show in Hastings 13-18 March.

RESULTS:

Trans Tasman

New Zealand - Simon Wilson (Waipukurau) Swinger, Katie McVean (Ohaupo) Dunstan Daffodil, Lisa Coupe (Kumeu) Bates Amaretto MVNZ, Bernard Denton (Feilding) Suzuki Total 28 Faults

Australia - Brett Warren (Traveston, Queensland) Cheezy Z, Tim Clarke (Grassmere, Victoria) Caltango, Jamie Winning (Ebenezer NSW) Congo Z, Evie Buller (Darkin, WA) Yalambi's Landor Total 44 Faults

Quick Link

• Visit the Equestrian Australia website
• Visit the ESNZ website for full results