​Golden Victory for Croucher at Takapoto Classic

Golden Victory for Croucher at Takapoto Classic
 

Oliver Croucher bagged one of the biggest wins of his career when he piloted NRS Ricochet MVNZ to victory in the prestigious G.H. MUMM Gold Tour Grand Prix Final.
It’s the pinnacle of the Takapoto Classic and the one New Zealand’s best showjumpers are all keen to claim.
Seventeen combinations were challenged by top international course designer, Frank Rothenberger (GER) in the stunning G.H. MUMM Grass Arena and in front of hundreds of spectators lapping up the wine, food and atmosphere. It was a fitting close to six days of superb jumping at New Zealand’s premier boutique venue.
Takapoto Estate’s Mikayla Plaw extended a “huge thank you” to all the riders who came from far and wide to compete at the annual event. “They provided suspenseful and exciting viewing for the many spectators, many of whom had also travelled to watch,” she said. “Without such support we simply couldn’t run our event.”
From the 17 original starters in the Gold Tour Final, 11 combinations on four faults or less came back for the second round. Just three were clear – Jake Lambert (Cambridge) aboard Takapoto Alaid de Chez Nous, Vicki Wilson (Hawke’s Bay) on Millionaire VWNZ, and Oliver (Cambridge) – with the remainder carrying through four faults.
Clears were a little more forthcoming in the second round, but the class ramped up when the three on zero faults returned. Crowd favourite Jake had a couple of lives but set the scene for a heart-stopping finale, coming home double clear in 66.95 seconds. Then came Oliver with a bravely ridden, all clean 56.54 second round followed by Vicki, who took the quinella in the class last year, who was double clear but couldn’t quite match Oliver’s effort.
“I saw Vicki did the inside turn and I thought she had it but then the clock ticked over and it was mine,” said Oliver.
Runner-up Vicki said it had been an “unbelievable” week. “You couldn’t get a better show,” she said. Jake was third.
Oliver, who pocketed $27,000 for his win, was almost lost for words. “This was not what I thought would happen today,” said the 25-year-old. “This is a pretty cool feeling. I have tried a couple of times and am stoked to have this happen this year.”
The nine-year-old gelding, who is owned by Richard and Shelley Stokes from North Ridge Stud, has not long stepped up to the 1.5m level. “He is a lovely horse. I was going for the experience for him and had hoped for two clears. I can’t ask for more.”
With one clear in the bank Oliver, who is trained by Penny Stevenson, was looking for “nice, tidy” clear in the second. “We both got our blood up a bit when the cheer went up for Jake and we just went for it. He really delivered.”
He paid tribute to Emily Hayward who puts in a lot of work behind the scenes at home, particularly with the horse’s fitness.
It was a special victory for Oliver, who previously won the Takapoto Young Rider crown aboard Waitangi Surf. “I have been working at it for a while to get a horse back to this level since Waitangi Surf four years ago . . . so this really is special. Actually it is pretty phenomenal. I can’t believe it. I feel lucky to have such good people around me to help make this happen. It is a dream come true.”
Earlier Logan Massie (Dannevirke) and his homebred mare Adele 13 took out the APL Window Solutions Silver Tour Final ahead of Emma Gaze (Ohaupo) aboard Kowhai Bug and Geordie Bull (Atiamuri) with his homebred horse Marius after an exciting four-strong jump-off.
Kaikoura’s Becky Pinfold made her rather quiet season count when she and LT Holst Chief took out the Partridge Jewellers/FOPE Bronze Tour Final, heading home Lucinda Askin (Ashburton) aboard Cascade in second and Muzi James (Feilding) aboard May B it’s Maisie in third.
The Cambridge Grains Copper Tour Final was won by Jesse Linton (Cambridge) on Madie Smith’s Dodge NZPH with Coco Fougere (Karaka) aboard The Boss in second and Rita Featherstone (Kerikeri) on Redcliffs Guns and Roses in third.
Oamaru’s Gillies sisters took the quinella in the Shoof Young Rider, with Samantha aboard Lumarzo first, Emma on Benrose Black Jack second and Olivia Newsom (Tauranga) with Charmed Escudo MSNZ third.
The Brandt Junior Rider went the way of eventer turned showjumper Mia Gilbert (Auckland) and Schnapps MH with Karena Murray (Tauranga) with Rebel Alliance in second and Molly Smith (Timaru) on Dynavyte Caribou DL third.
Adison Hall (Waimauku) and her self-produced Flaxhill La Rocco are making the most of their last few shows together, taking out the Shoof Pony Grand Prix ahead of Molly Smith (Timaru) on Vapour Trail NZPH in second and Regan Calder (Norsewood) on TRS Sniper in third.
 
For full results, head to www.main-event.com