Source: Jane Thompson, Pegasus Communications

Tegan Fitzsimon won two major titles on the final day of the Tavendale & Partners National Show Jumping Championships.

Windermere Cappuccino added a national title to his already comprehensive CV when he triumphed in the feature event in Christchurch today.

The final two round of the Dunstan Horsefeeds & Equifibre National Grand Prix was watched by a good sized crowd who were treated to a nail-biting finish which came down to the last fence.

Tegan and the superstar Windermere Cappuccino (“Vollie”) came into the final round just 0.64 behind Steffi Whittaker on Eros K. Both horses had jumped clear in the first speed class on Friday and then again the first round of the Grand Prix. It all came down to the final round of the Gerit Becker designed course and it didn’t look like it was going to be Tegan’s day when Vollie took a pole. “He just felt like he was running out of fuel towards the end, it was really hot and he hasn’t done a lot of jumping since he won the World Cup Final,” Tegan said.

Steffi and Eros K had been looking good all show, but the big chestnut stallion made one mistake
mid-way through the round, and then heartbreakingly knocked the last fence down as well, to give the win to Tegan and Vollie.

This win meant a lot to Tegan. “I didn’t really know where I was going to be with the horse and I didn’t even think I would be able to start in this competition. I am just grateful that I am here. He has given me everything today and he has come out on top. He really does deserve this title. I am so pleased that his name is now on the Mary Dalley Memorial Trophy.”

She also admitted to a few tears, and predicted there were many more to come as it looks like he will be sold to the USA. He has passed the veterinary inspections and now the potential new owner is coming out to ride the horse. “Yes, there have been quite a few tears, but he is worth them.”

Tegan also came third in the class with her other horse, Double J Monarch. These placings came on top of another great win in the Hygain NZ National 1.30m Horse Championship on her faithful campaigner, Alacazam MH. The 20-year-old horse looked half his age, and headed off Molly Buist-Brown and Vali who looked like they had the competition wrapped up until they faulted at the last fence. Tegan triumphed again as a result and was delighted for Alacazam. “He has won Young Rider titles and stuff like that before, but never a National championship title. He must have heard us talking about him retiring!”

As to whether retirement ever will come for the horse, Tegan says it all just depends on how he feels from now on.  And as to celebrations after a great weekend of showjumping, Tegan doesn’t drink alcohol so was looking forward to a fanta and then a good sleep!

Lincoln’s Sophie Geddes had a thrilling result in the Fiber Fresh NZ National Pony Championship, taking out first and second place with her ponies Benrose Silver Shadow and Te Ngaio Raggamuffin respectively. “I have never been first and second before, so it is a pretty cool feeling,” she said. “I have never won a National title either though!”

Sophie has had Benrose Silver Shadow for just over a year, and Te Ngaio Raggamuffin for two years. The 15-year-old St Margaret’s College student is planning on heading to the Horse of the Year Show in Hastings in mid-March, with the Pony of the Year in her sights.

See below for key results from today:

Dunstan Horsefeeds & Equifibre NZ National Grand Prix Horse Championship in conjunction with Wilcox Perlas Potatoes

Hygain NZ National 1.30m Horse Championship

Fiber Fresh NZ National Pony GP Championship

Tavendale & Partners NZ National 1.20m Horse Championship 

Tavendale & Partners NZ National 1.20m Horse Championship 

Zilco NZ National 1.00m Horse Championship

T & M Nurseries NZ National 1.10m Pony Competition 

RVC NZ National 1m Pony Championship