Top Jump Riders Enroute to Otago Champs   29 Jan 2015

Annie Studholme

Top Jump Riders Enroute to Otago Champs

Top jumpers from around the South Island will descend on Mosgiel this weekend for the Otago Area Showjumping and Showhunter Championships at the Otago Taieri A&P Showgrounds.

Not only is the event that last major hit out before the McMillans Feeds NZ National Showjumping and Showhunter Championships in Christchurch from February 5-8, but features the Jump For Joy South Island Pony Fox Hunter Final and South Island Fox Hunter Horse Final, sponsored by Challenge McFarlane.

Both finals, which riders have had the opportunity to qualify for at shows South Island-wide throughout the season, have attracted a strong line-up with nine contest the pony final, while 18 will battle it out for the hack final where rugs and increased prize money are up for grabs.

With top local rider Claudia Hay (Mosgiel) sitting this show out with her starry stallions, the Country TV Horse Grand Prix is wide open with just the four starters. West Melton visitor Tegan Fitzsimon and Alacazam MH will be looking to replicate the winning form they showed at Canterbury A&P last November, while young riders Nicole White (Invercargill) on Cricklewood Ace and Olivia Robertson (Ohoka) on Ngahiwi Cisco are both looking for a strong showing ahead of Nationals. Also starting is Cave’s Kelly Evans and Hammertime.

The Pony Grand Prix has also attracted a small but strong field of nine including the South Islands leading combinations. The other series classes had also been well supported, with the Telford Junior Rider series boasting a strong local line-up with the likes of former National Junior Rider title holder Jacquita Farquhar (Outram) on Rustic Moonlight, Jayne Beattie (Mosgiel) on Midnight Magic Rumble, Erin Milner (Dunedin) on Glenbrook Jordie Girl, Victoria Brown (Clinton) Williby Wisdom and Tyla Clearwater (Dunedin) on Rumbling Thunder amongst the 15 strong field.

Overall, expanding the showhunter programme to offer almost as many showhunter classes as jumping ones had resulted in a massive increase in entries across all categories and divisions, said secretary Emma Barker.

Barker said the committee had been under pressure with regards to the ground conditions. She paid credit to Otago Taieri A&P groundsman Harold Driver for the extra miles he had gone to have the grounds in tip-top condition this weekend despite the continued dry weather. “This is extremely difficult this season with high temperatures day and night with water being rotated on all areas.”

Tomorrow night (Friday) the committee is also hosting a seminar for people interested in judging or stewarding at showjumping events from 6pmwith ESNZ Steward General, FEI Level 3 and Official National Showjumping judge Ray Egarr of Auckland.

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