Mighty Fine Effort from Burnett-Grant at North Island Showjumping Championships, NZ

 

Briar Burnett-Grant showed herself as one to watch for the future in winning the FEI Children’s International Showjumping on the second day of the Larsen Sawmilling North Island Showjumping Championships in Gisborne today (Saturday).

The 12-year-old from Taupo guided her lovely little bay pony Mighty Maximus to four stunning clear rounds to take the honours and surely earn herself a place in the world final next year. 

Young riders from across the globe jump an identical course, with the best going on to represent their countries at the world final. New Zealand is the first to hold it’s qualifier and Kiwi riders face an anxious wait while the rest of the world catches up.

Burnett-Grant’s victory today came on the back of her first ever grand prix win the week before, and is perfect timing as the season draws to the business end of things.

Rachael Bentall (Hastings) and Kiwi Brave were the only ones of 15 starters to go clear in the North Island Young Rider Championship.

Meanwhile Lisa Coupe (Hawke’s Bay) scored a bit of a coup earlier in the champs, snaffling both first and second placings in the North Island 1* horse grand prix, leaving 18 other combinations in her wake. It is the second consecutive year Coupe and Ocean Wave have won the class.

Of the 20 starters, just five combinations went clear over the John Vallance (Australia) designed course. First out was Coupe aboard Bates Amaretto, notching the first double clear in 42.38 seconds. She followed that up one combination later with another double clear on My Ocean Wave (owned by the Green family), coming home in 42.02. The only other clear round in the jump-off went to Rosie Commons (Auckland) on Glenara Chandon who stopped the clock at 43..03.

The overnight rain proved a bit of a blessing, softening the ground, with today dawning bright and fine.

The championships culminate tomorrow (Sunday) with the horse and pony grand prix.

 

Results:

Coca Cola FEI Children’s International Showjumping: Briar Burnett-Grant (Taupo) Mighty Maximus 1, Laura Lush (Auckland) Miss Munroe 2, Sarah Fannin (Hastings) Strathcarron Zaurak 3, Jimmy James Duncan (Marton) Cheblinkers 4.

North Island Speed Championship: Vicki Wilson (Northland) Showtym Girl 1, Ella Varcoe (Auckland) Aztec Incahoots 2, Daniel Meech (Taupo) Winston Darco V 3, Claudia Porter (Hawke’s Bay) Mr Harrison 4, Elle Phillips (Cambridge) Little Miss Pete 5, Rebecca van Tiel (Auckland) Leeston Eagle 6.

North Island Giltrap Audi Young Rider: Rachael Bentall (Hastings) Kiwi Brave 1, Rosie Commons (Auckland) Glenara Chandon 2, Bridget Hansen (Ocean Beach) Nicalette NZPH 3, Natasha Brooks (Cambridge) Hairy McLairy 4, Logan Massie (Dannevirke) Kiwi Ludo 5, Lisa Hogg (Ohope) IQ 6.

North Island Iverquantel Pro Amateur: Zoe Shore (Ashburton) Olympia NPZH 1, Jackie Jermyn (Waikato) Circus 2, Geordie Bull (Taupo) Hunter Road 3, Chloe Akers (Palmerston North) Kiwi Motto 4, Tim Finch (Waipukurau) Mr Munga 3 5, Trudi Mitchell (Wairoa) Judge’s Decision 6.

North Island Cushionride Seven Year Old: Kim Best (Otane) Giggles 1, Rachel McGregor (Cambridge) Henton Encoure 2, Catherine Cameron (Cambridge) Light’s Out 3, Vicki Wilson (Northland) Ngahiwi Showtym XL 4, Tess Williams (Gisborne) Alltech Sinatra 5, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) Johnny Castle 6.

North Island Leaderbrand 1* grand prix (run in conjunction with the Cathay Pacific series): Lisa Coupe (Hawke’s Bay) My Ocean Wave (owned by the Green family) 1, Lisa Coupe (Hawke’s Bay) Bates Amaretto MVNZ 2, Rosie Commons (Auckland) Glenara Chandon 3, Julie Davey (Hastings) Air Hill Myka 4, Catherine Cameron (Cambridge) Campione GNZ 5, Daniel Meech (Taupo) Argento 6.

Altum open pony 1.2m: Teagan Newman (Whangarei) Watch Me Move 1, Kalah McKay (Levin) Kabo So Far 2, Elle Phillips (Te Awamutu) Fruitalishas 3, Lily Tootill (Pukekohe) Tallyho Bandit 4, Melody Matheson (Hawke’s Bay) Sushi 5, Mick Dee (Gisborne) Maximus 6.