Today saw Day 3 of the Land Rover Horse of the Year (HOY) Championships. Please click HERE for a report on Day 1 and HERE for a report on yesterday’s jumping events.

The main classes today were the GJ Gardner Pro Am Final and The Ultra Mox Lady Rider of the Year Final.

For reports on these two classes as well as placegetters in all other classes held today, please continue reading.

PREMIER ARENA

CLASS 15: Outpost Buildings Pony Championship 1.25m (2nd phase)

The top six placegetters in this championship were:

CLASS 23: GJ Gardner Pro Am Final 1.20-1.30m

The second jumping class on the Premier Arena today was the Pro Am Final. Sponsored by GJ Gardner, a total of 31 combinations were entered, of which seven recorded clear first rounds. The fastest of these was Vicki Prendergast and her 6-year-old mare Selena C in 78.4 seconds, some four seconds ahead of the next fastest.

A seven-way jump-off was led off by Grace Percy and Kiwi Spirit. A single rail and a time of 52.55 set the benchmark for the rest of the field. The defending champion in this class, Sally Clark and Victorias Secret also took a single rail towards the end of their ride, however, with a slightly slower time, they slotted in behind Percy in the provisional placings. Third out was Kylee McCambridge and Chicago who followed the pattern by taking a single rail but in a time that did not threaten the leaders.

The fastest first round combination of Vicki Prendergast and Selena C were next in the order. They rode magnificently, mastering the course with a clear round and in a time (53.36 seconds) comparable to those who had gone before them. Prendergast had the lead with three more combinations to ride.

Siobhan Ryan and Natalie also had a great round. They were quick and precise and certainly looked like they could steal the lead from Prendergast as they strode towards the last. However, the last rail on the oxa, was clipped and fell, which, due to their fast time (53.66 seconds), relegated them to third for the time being.

Penultimate pair, Lucia Voss and Ngahiwi Para took a rail midway through the course, after which they noticeably quickened the pace, however, they finished with just the 4 faults, but not on the podium.

Last out was the Takapoto Estate rider Jamie Campbell and her 8-year-old mare Lanice can de Heffinck. They knew that only a clear round would be enough to win and the time had to be fast as well. They were looking good until about the half way mark, when they took rails at two consecutive jumps to crash out of the placings.

So in the end, being the only combination to go double clear, Vicki Prendergast and Selena C were deserved winners. Not only did Prendergast ride the horse, but she bred it and co-owns it with Michael Prendergast, so it was a great all-round effort from her.

The top six placegetters in this class were:

Vicki Prendergast and Selena C. Photo Credit: Cornege Photography

HORSE DETAILS:

1 – Selena C: 6 year old Bay Mare. Breeding: Holsteiner by Cardento VDL & Sofee Bred by: Vicki Prendergast and owned by Vicki Prendergast and Michael Prendergast.

2 – Kiwi Spirit: 16 year old Chestnut Gelding. Breeding: by Kiwi Dance & Kiwi Majic. Bred by: Fernhill Stud and owned by Grace Percy.

3 – Natalie: 7 year old Bay Mare. Breeding: Warmblood by Oracle WT & Grazisamore. Bred by: T W Pearce an owned by Siobhan Ryan.

4 – Victorias Secret: 12 year old Black Mare. Breeding: NZSH by Hey Baba Riba & Dilly Dally. Bred by: M Beatson and owned by Sally Clark. 5 – Ngahiwi Para: 8 year old Chestnut Gelding. Breeding: Sport Horse by Unknown & Unknown Bred by : Bruce Holden and owned by Lucia Voss and Tom Tarver-Priebe.

6 – Chicago: 11 year old Chestnut Gelding. Breeding: Thoroughbred by Pentire & Turtle Creek Bred by: RN Cunningham and owned by Kylee McCambridge.

CLASS 24: Ultra Mox Lady Rider Of The Year Final 1.40m

The final jumping class today was the Lady Rider of the Year Final. A total of 29 combinations were entered for this final and with only the top eight performing combinations going through to the second round, the pressure was on from the beginning.

A total of four clear first rounds were recorded, the fastest of which, by Mikayla Herbert and Grand Caballo in 84.06 seconds. She was joined in the second round by the other 3 clear round combinations, another combination with just a single time penalty and the fastest three four-fault combinations, however, with first round faults being carried through to the second round, these three were now at a clear disadvantage.

The first two combinations out, Amanda Wilson and Showtym Cassanova and Nakeysha Lammers and Resolution both went clear to finish on a total of four points each. Third out, 17-year-old Olivia Dalton and Cil Dara Bonaparte took a rail at the second jump of the double to finish on a total of eight points.

Fourth to go was the all-conquering Tegan Fitzsimon and Double J Monarch. They carried through just their single time penalty from Round 1 and by going clear, they did not add to this and settled into the provisional lead. Now there were four combinations left, all starting on zero penalties, however, each knew that the slightest slip-up would place them behind Fitzsimon who was waiting to pounce.

First of these four was Jasmine Sketchley and her stallion Bravado Ego Z who took a rail at the fourth to relinquish any chance they had of winning. Sarah West and Oaks Centurian were next, but again, a single rail, this time at the first jump, meant they were going to finish in the minor placings.

Second last out was last year’s young rider of he year, Emily Hayward and Belischi HM . They took an early rail and elected to withdraw from the round.

This left just one more combination, Mikayla Herbert and Grand Caballo. Nothing short of a clear round would be enough. By the time they had got to the double, the crowd was cheering as they cleared the jumps. Finally, they headed towards the last of what had been a slow and, to date, clear round. As they approached the last, the large crowd that had gathered were excited, not only to see if they could complete the round clear, but would it be under the time allowed? As they successfully cleared the last, all heads turned towards the clock. With an allowed time of 72 seconds, Herbert and Grand Caballo had taken just a tick over 70 seconds, which was more than seven seconds slower than the next slowest round 2 time, but they had done enough. It turned out to be a perfectly judged round and being the only combination to record double clear, they were the deserved winners. Tegan Fitzsimon and Double J Monarch took out second place and Nakeysha Lammers and Resolution filled out the podium.

The top six placegetters in this class were:

HORSE DETAILS:

1 – Grand Caballo: 9 year old Chestnut Gelding. Breeding: Warmblood by Indoctro & Strawberry. Bred by: Unsworth Bloodstock and owned by Mikayla Herbert.

2 – Double J Monarch: 10 year old Bay Mare. Breeding: NZ Sport Horse by Double J Repicharge & Double J Remember Me. Bred by: Wendy & Robyn Jacobs and owned by Tinesha Carey.

3 – Resolution: 10 year old Bay Gelding. Breeding: Warmblood by Casall & Blushing Bride. Bred by: Diana Lammers and owned by Diana Lammers.

4 – Showtyn Cassanova: 14 year old Skewbald Gelding. Breeding: X Bred by Peti Peti Te Whiti & Vee Bred by: June Berrington and owned by Amanda Wilson.

5 – Oaks Centurian: 9 year old Grey Gelding. Breeding: Warmblood by Centus & ASB Indira. Bred by: Oaks Stud and owned by Leanne West.

6 – Bravado Ego Z: 9 year old Chestnut Stallion. Breeding: Holsteiner by Balovgran Z & Cresida Ego Z Bred by: Linda Mayer and owned by Jasmine, Nicolette & Kevin Sketchley.

CANTERBURY EQUESTRIAN ARENA ONE

CLASS 25: Horse 1.25m

The top six placegetters in this class were:

CLASS 26: Pony 1.20m

The top six placegetters in this class were:

CLASS 27: Horse 1.35m

The top six placegetters in this class were:

FIBRE FRESH ARENA TWO

CLASS 28: Tomoana Warehousing Horse 1.15m

The top six placegetters in this class were:

WADE EQUINE COACHES ARENA THREE

CLASS 29: Pony 1.15m

The top six placegetters in this class were:

CLASS 30: Donut Express Pony 1.05m

The top six placegetters in this class were:

Results sourced from Equestrian Entries.