Classic On Song for World Cup Riders   17 Dec 2014

Equestrian Sports New Zealand

CHRISTMAS CLASSIC WC PREVIEW

Classic ON Song for World Cup Riders

Maurice Beatson will be on a mission to put a halt to the female domination of the Ultra.Mox FEI World Cup series at the Fiber Fresh Taupo Christmas Classic this weekend.

Beatson, a Dannevirke farmer who represented New Zealand at a World Cup final, has two entered into theSaturday afternoon class that has attracted 14 entries – his home-bred grey gelding Schimmel Warrior, who has a couple of World Cup seasons to his credit, and relative newbie Conyers, who just started this season.

Katie Laurie (Mystery Creek) and Helen McNaught-McFarlane (Taupo) are the ones to watch.

Laurie has won the last two rounds and has Dunstan Kiwi Iron Mark (owned by June Berrington) and Dunstan Breeze both entered.

McNaught-McFarlane has consistently been in the top three in her three rounds but is the first to say her horse Carnutelabryere – Brian for short – is a green horn when it comes to this level, so she’s not pushing him too hard.

Also on the card is Bridget Hansen (Ocean Beach) who won the opening round in Hawke’s Bay and has two entered for the Saturday afternoon class.

With just the best three rounds to count, competitors are now heading into drop off scores, with the final in early January, just one more round away.

Former series winner Sally Steiner (Tauranga) has On the Point Slic Chic entered, with Vicki Wilson (Hikurangi) on both Ngahiwi Showtym Premier and Showtym Cadet MVNZ. Erin Clark (Opotiki) is in aboard Reflector, while Bernard Denton (Feilding) has his campaigner Horsesports Suzuki entered, while Jesse Linton (Hastings) has Strathcarron Zaurak.

A new initiative at the show is to have all World Cup riders enter the ring to music of their choice . . . otherwise organisers will choose one they feel is appropriate.

The Christmas Classic runs from Thursday through to Saturday, followed by National Derby Day on Sunday. Just under 800 horses have been entered.

The grounds at the Fiber Fresh National Equestrian Centre are looking magnificent, with a new irrigation system in, new sand in the pony ring and more to ensure the best footing underneath for all.

Ultra.Mox FEI World Cup New Zealand Series (after three rounds): Katie Laurie (Mystery Creek) 57 points, Helen McNaught-McFarlane (Taupo) 47, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) 42, Bridget Hansen (Ocean Beach) 32, Bernard Denton (Feilding) and Sally Steiner (Tauranga) 20, Amanda Wilson (Hikurangi) 17, Lydia Quay (Taranaki) 15, Vicki Wilson (Hikurangi) and Lucy Akers (Opiki) 13, Jesse Linton (Hastings) 12.

ends

Add a comment

News

Hilary Timmins' Award-Winning UK Documentary Series To Inspire NZ Students

29 Jun 2020 Education
Dream Catchers, produced and directed by Hilary Timmins, celebrates the success stories of more than thirty inspirational New... more

New Zealand reaffirms support for Flight MH17 judicial process

7 Mar 2020 News By Rt HON WINSTON PETERS
Ahead of the start of the criminal trial in the Netherlands on 9 March, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has reaffirmed the need to... more

Business

NZ Government's Economic package to fight COVID-19

17 Mar 2020 Business News By RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
The Coalition Government has launched the most significant peace-time economic plan in modern New Zealand history to cushion the... more

NZ Government announces aviation relief package

19 Mar 2020 Business News By Hon Phil Twyford
Transport Minister Phil Twyford today outlined the first tranche of the $600 million aviation sector relief package announced earlier... more

Living

Diversity was Key at New Zealand Trade Tasting in London

6 Jun 2022 Food & Wine
New Zealand Winegrowers Annual Trade Tasting was recently held in London, on Wednesday 4 May, in Lindley Hall. It was the first... more

Kiwi author stuns Behind the Butterfly Gate

12 Jan 2022 Arts By Charlotte Everett
Hidden behind the Butterfly Gate is where the secret has been kept for 76 years...  New Zealand writer Merryn Corcoran’s... more

Property

Fairer rules for tenants and landlords

17 Nov 2019 Property By Minister Kris Faafoi
17 NOVEMBER 2019 The Government has delivered on its promise to the over one million New Zealanders who now rent to make it fairer... more

New Zealand Government will not implement a Capital Gains Tax

17 Apr 2019 Property By RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
The Coalition Government will not proceed with the Tax Working Group’s recommendation for a capital gains tax, Jacinda Ardern... more

Migration

Boosting border security with electronic travel authority – now over 500,000 issued

19 Nov 2019 Migration By Hon Iain Lees-Galloway
19 NOVEMBER 2019 We’ve improved border security with the NZeTA, New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority, which helps us to... more

Christchurch reinstated as refugee settlement location

18 Aug 2018 Migration
18 AUGUST 2018 HON IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY The announcement that Christchurch can once again be a settlement location for refugees... more

Travel

Gallipoli Anzac Day services cancelled

19 Mar 2020 Travel & Tourism By RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
The New Zealand and Australian Governments have announced this year’s joint Anzac Day services at Gallipoli will be cancelled... more

New Zealanders advised not to travel overseas

19 Mar 2020 Travel & Tourism
New Zealanders advised not to travel overseas more

Sport

The Skipper's Diary: Sir Richard Hadlee honouring his father and NZ's Forty-Niners

27 Oct 2019 Cricket By Charlotte Everett
NZNewsUK London Editor Charlotte Everett spoke to Sir Richard Hadlee about why he’s chosen to publish his father’s... more

PREVIEW: All Blacks v England semi-final

26 Oct 2019 Rugby
The two most convincing quarterfinals winners are set to square off in a semifinal showdown for the ages when the All Blacks meet old... more

Columns

Gordon Campbell on the Gareth Morgan crusade

11 Nov 2016 Opinion
Gordon Campbell on the Gareth Morgan crusade First published on Werewolf The ghastly likes of Marine Le Pen in France and Geert ... more

Gordon Campbell on the US election outcome

10 Nov 2016 Opinion
Column - Gordon Campbell   Gordon Campbell on the US election outcome Well um.. on the bright side, there (probably)... more

Kiwi Success

Congratulations to Loder Cup winner

26 Sep 2018 People By Hon Eugenie Sage
25 SEPTEMBER 2018 The Loder Cup, one of New Zealand’s oldest conservation awards, has been awarded to Robert McGowan for 2018... more

Appointments to New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO

16 Aug 2018 Appointments
16 AUGUST 2018Appointments to New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO HON JENNY SALESA Associate Education Minister Jenny Salesa is... more

Recruitment

Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers

14 Aug 2018 Recruitment By RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
14 AUGUST 2018Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers RT HON JACINDA ARDERN HON CHRIS HIPKINS Prime Minister The... more

Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers

22 Aug 2018 Recruitment By RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
14 AUGUST 2018Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers RT HON JACINDA ARDERN HON CHRIS HIPKINS Prime Minister The... more