World Cup Class Rained off in NZ

There were plenty of winners at the three star Larsen Sawmilling Equestrian Championships in Gisborne this weekend but most weren't even riding horses.

For the second year in a row the show had its World Cup NZ qualifying round cancelled thanks to rain.

But for the many farmers, sponsors and supporters there, the rain was welcome – just not at the show.

Show committee member Kaye Williams says that while everyone was very disappointed, the rain was gold for the district.

“Many of our sponsors are rural based and desperately needed this – we all do actually,” says the hill country farmer.

The show managed to hold all its national series classes, which saw Danielle Maurer (Auckland) extend her enviable lead in the young rider. She and Blue Rinse also won the one star grand prix.

Gisborne teenager Luke Dee had a good show winning both the pony grand prix and open pony 1.2m aboard Wild Thing.

The forecast saw entries affected by scratchings with around 360 combinations making the trek from all over the North Island to take part in the show.

Australian course designer John Vallance was impressed with what he saw at the show. His passion for young horses was clear, and he said the five and six year old horses he saw competing had been particularly good.

He's built courses at the Sydney Olympics, many a World Cup course in Australia, in Asia and is a regular visitor to New Zealand for both building and teaching.

“When you're building at a show like this you want the horse and rider combination to develop from day one, through to three – it's just unfortunate we didn't get to day three really when a builder will definitely ask more questions than on the first,” he says.

The wet weather early in the show saw him reduce the spreads and heights of some jumps.

It's not just the riders competing in next month's World Cup NZ series final at Tauranga that are missing out at a bit of an inside look at how Vallance designs those top courses – he too likes to see how the riders tackle his courses.

Vallance is in New Zealand for four shows – Gisborne, the Young Horse Show in Taupo next weekend, the World Cup final in Tauranga in early February and the National Championships in Christchurch.

It's actually the third consecutive time a Gisborne Show has had its wings clipped, the other being the Spring Show in October.

Results -

One star horse grand prix: Danielle Maurer (Auckland) Blue Rinse 1, Rachel Moore (Waipukurau) Navy Blue 2, Tess Williams (Gisborne) Alltech Walnut Brown 3, Anna Parson (Takapau) Arc de Triomphe 4.

Young rider: Danielle Maurer (Auckland) Blue Rinse 1, Bridget Hansen (Ocean Beach) Nicalette NPZH 2, Rachel Bentall (Hastings) Kiwi Brave 3, Hannah Burnett-Grant (Taupo) Winston Darco V 4, Natasha Brooks (Cambridge) Uranda 5, Alexa Randall (Auckland) Chairman 15 6.

STH pro am rider: Sharleen Workman (Levin) Kiwi Vibe SL 1, Melanie Purcell (Whakatane) Kiwi Iron Mark 2, Tasha Brown (Tauranga) Maserati 3, Trudi Mitchell (Wairoa) Judge's Decision 4, Tasha Brown (Tauranga) Llanmaree 5.

Iverquantel amateur rider: Jenny Peters (Whangarei) Oriwa Cossack 1, Merran Hain (Gisborne) Untouchable 2, Tim Finch (Waipukurau) Mr Munga 3 3, Jackie Jermyn (Hamilton) Circus 4, Lidy Lofler (Gisborne) Tinka Boy 5, Sofie Dever (Kotimaori) Guarana 6.

Kiwispan junior rider: Natasha Smith (Albany) 1, Shaun Fannin (Hawke's Bay) Strathcarron Zaurak 2, Bridget Grylls (Te Awamutu) Yippee-Yi-Yo 3, Pryor Collier (Te Teko) Optimystic 4, Mary Mitchell (Tauranga) Pay Day 5, Luke Dee (Gisborne) Lowenbehold 6.

Hit and hurry 1.15m: Mary Mitchell (Tauranga) Pay Day 1, Anna Sinclair (Feilding) Strawberry Fields 2, Kirsten McLeod (Gisborne) Ngahiwi Cruise 3.

Cushionride seven year old: Molly Bennett (Wairoa) Ngahiwi Cupid 1, Lucy Olphert (Tauranga) Delta Pierre 2, Allan Goodall (Auckland) Leeston Eagle 3, Jake Lambert (Cambridge) Quality NZPH 4, Megan Stacey (Te Puke) Bordeaux 5, Bridget Hansen (Ocean Beach) Quickstep NZPH 6.

Mitavite six year old: Billy Raymont (Australia/Ocean Beach) Romeo NZPH, Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Springfield, Phillip Steiner (Tauranga) Annandale Branson MVNZ, Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Delilah, Melanie Purcell (Whakatane) Kiwi Iron Mark, Rachel Moore (Waipukurau) Dark Ages, Billy Raymont (Australia/Ocean Beach) Renoir NZPH =1.

Astek Stud five year old: Paula Mussen (Pukekohe) KK Tane Mahuta, Catherine Cameron (Cambridge) Kinsale II, Ike Unsworth (Tauranga) NRM Cervelt MVNZ, Paula Mussen (Pukekohe) Firthview Dakota =1.

Open horse 1.4m: Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Daffodil 1, Ike Unsworth (Tauranga) NRM Seremonie VDL 2, Adrian Bruce (Gisborne) Witheze 3, Ike Unsworth (Tauranga) NRM Wimbledon MVNZ 4, Billy Raymont (Australia/Ocean Beach) Nicalette NZPH 5, Catherine Cameron (Cambridge) Kahurangai Valentino 6.

Open horse 1.35m: Catherine Cameron (Cambridge) Kahurangi Tardak 1, Paula Mussen (Pukekohe) Meersbrook Flintstone 2, Ike Unsworth (Tauranga) NRM Wimbledon MVNZ 3, Lucy Akers (Mystery Creek) Tinapai 4, Hannah Harding (Papakura) Cosmic Cowboy 5, Tess Williams (Gisborne) Alltech Walnut Brown 6.

Pony grand prix: Luke Dee (Gisborne) Wild Thing 1, Shaun Fannin (Hawke's Bay0 Barrel 51, Rebecca Porter (Hawke's Bay) Chobidong, Emily Fraser (Takapau) Tony the Pony, Rebekah van Teil (Pukekohe) Homeland Hero, Melanie Weal (Te Awamutu) Hopeful Illusion =2.

Open pony 1.2m: Luke Dee (Gisborne) Wild Thing 1, Rebekah van Teil (Pukekohe) Guthrie 2, Melanie Weal (Te Awamutu) Hopeful Illusion 3, Shaun Fannin (Hawke's Bay) Barrel 51 4, Rebecca Porter (Hawke's Bay) 5.

Open pony 1.2m: Rebekah van Teil (Pukekohe) Guthrie 1, Meg Lambert (Cambridge) Co Calico 2, Melanie Weal (Te Puke) Hopeful Illusion 3, Rebecca Porter (Hawke's Bay) Chobidong 4, Emily Fraser (Takapau) Tony the Pony 5.