EQUESTRIAN - BREEZING THROUGH THE WORLD CUP SERIES

Katie Laurie and Dunstan Breeze are on a roll, taking their second consecutive Ultra•Mox FEI World Cup class, this time at the Fiber Fresh Taupo Christmas Classic.
The 10-year-old bay mare just edged out Helen McNaught-McFarlane (Taupo) and Carnutelabryere by .34 of a second in the 12-strong class.
New Zealand’s two top female riders were neck and neck, both with double clear rounds and very close in their times. Laurie also placed third on Dunstan On The Point Eve after picking up a single time fault in each round to finish on two faults in their first-ever World Cup start.
Laurie had plenty of praise for the opposition, as well as her horses.
“I watched Helen go and thought she had it, it was that close,” she said. “I was in a good position though as had already gone on Eve for two time faults, so the worst I could do was second. The plan was to give it a good go on Breeze.”
Breeze, who also won her last World Cup start at Manfeild earlier this month, had warmed up well and sailed through the Gary Sinclair designed course.
The rest of the field all had faults, with the fourth placed Lucy Akers (Opiki) and Tinapai finishing on 12.
Also decided at the show were the overall winners of the North Island league of the FEI World Jumping Challenge for 2015. Briar Burnett-Grant (Taupo) took out Category C, Ally Carson (Putaruru) won Category B and Christine Cornege (Cambridge) was the victor in Category A.

Results -

Ultra•Mox FEI World Cup (New Zealand Series): Katie Laurie (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Breeze 1, Helen McNaught-McFarlane (Taupo) Carnutelabryere 2, Katie Laurie (Mystery Creek) Dunstan On the Point Eve 3, Lucy Akers (Opiki) Tinapai 4, Samantha Morrison (Tauranga) Biarritz 5, Olivia Robertson (Canterbury) Ngahiwi Cisco 6.

Telford Junior Rider Series: Keean Cooper (Te Kauwhata) Amarula MVNZ 1, Brayden Aarts (Auckland) George Jetson 2, Briar Burnett-Grant (Taupo) Fiber Fresh BG Conny 3, Drew Carson (Putaruru) Double Shott 4, Grace O’Sullivan (Rangiora) Blastov 5, Georgia Massie (Dannevirke) Double J Cloud 9 6.

Let’s Bale Pro Amateur Rider Series: Victoria Rattray (Mangatangi) Versace NZPH 1, Natasha Imeson (Hikurangi) Tele-Star 2, Chloe Akers (Opiki) Kiwi Motto 3, Alexa Randall (Auckland) Chairman 15 4, Tess Clark (Auckland) Sinatra II 5, Lucia Voss (Kawerau) Roxy NZPH 6.

Canterbury Equestrian Young Rider Series: Olivia Robertson (Canterbury) Ngahiwi Cisco 1, Emily Hayward-Morgan (Te Awamutu) AP Ninja 2, Emily Fraser (Feilding) Kiwi Sunray 3, Laura Inkster (Auckland) Strathcarron Zaurak 4, Kimberley Bird (Ashburton) Ngahiwi Summer 5, Georgia Massie (Dannevirke) Larinium LS 6.

Caledonian Amateur Rider Series: Sophie Wilkinson (Taupo) Bob’s Dream 1, Glen Hicks (Hastings) Kiwi Hope 2, Kate Hewlett (Kerikeri) Capatino GNZ 3, Reece Priestley (Whangarei ) Sunflower P 4, Holly Morrell (Taupo) Pampero 5, Natalie Page (Manakau) The Dark Horse 6.

East Coast Performance Horses Five Year Old Series: Daniel Blundell (Ocean Beach) Bravados NZPH, Wendy Jacobs (Takapau) Double J Breeze On, Kirstin Beaven (Canterbury) La Riviere, Victoria Rattray (Mangatangi) Larmani MVNZ, Tracy Mason (Napier) WP Stella, Bronte Sewell (Kumeu) Malibou Boy and Kirsten McLeod (Clevedon) Melanie’s Choice =1.

Mitavite Six Year Old Series: Leeshelle Small (Ramarama) Ajaccio NZPH, Daniel Blundell (Ocean Beach) Athena NZPH, Kate Hewlett (Kerikeri) Capatino GNZ, Harry Feast (West Melton) French Rivierra, Cerys Tarr (Rotorua) Madam Coco, William Lyles (Turangi) Midway Manolito and Bernard Denton (Feilding) Whiorau Ritchie =1.

ESNZ Seven Year Old Series: Harry Feast (West Melton) Double J Bouncer 1, Katie Laurie (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Casebrooke Lomond 2, Helen Kippen (Ocean Beach) Velocity NZPH 3, Sam Spence (Gisborne) Driving Ambition 4, Harry Feast (West Melton) Vivaldi NZPH 5, Rosie Commons (Auckland) Athena GNZ 6.

Country TV Pony Grand Prix: Lucy Turner (Christchurch) Tallyho Mystic 1, Olivia Miller (Te Puke) Kaycee Mackay 2, Emma Watson (Morrinsville) Fun House 3, Sharnaye Lammers (Northland) Watch Me Move 4, Briar Burnett-Grant (Taupo) Fiber Fresh Mighty Maximus 5, Oliver Croucher (Rotorua) Paintball 6.

Main-Events NZ Universities Series: Sophie Burling (Kerikeri) LR Ruegar MSH 1, Alexa Randall (Auckland) Louis 2, Bryony Smith (Waitemata) Ngahiwi Warrior 3, Samantha Bult (Kumeu) Samuel Something 4, India Causebrook (Pukekohe) Westminster Rock 5, Melody Matheson (Hastings) Landenfeld 6.

FEI World Jumping Challenge, Category C: Courtney Fox (Karaka) Bush Magic 1, Charlotte Cotter (Pukekawa) Ngahiwi Best Wishes 2, Briar Burnett-Grant (Taupo) Fiber Fresh BG Conny 3, Robyn Preston-Smith (Tauranga) Fibonacci 4, Tayla Keon (Warkworth) Waitangi Surf 5, Sophie Littlewood (Auckland) Hawkesdale Remy.
Category B: Kate Titulaer (Hamilton) Can’t Catch Me 1, Matt Irvine (Takapau) Oscar Star 2, Kelly Chapman (Auckland) Indie 3, Georgia Preston-Smith (Tauranga) Loretta WS 4, Ally Carson (Putaruru) Sir Gandolf 5, Lucia Voss (Kawerau) Treasure Blue NZPH 6.
Category A: Donna Atkinson (Te Puke) Brixie 1, Denver Ingram (Dannevirke) Ratu 2, Christine Cornege (Cambridge) Varekai SL 3, Nicholas O’Leary (Wanganui) Obeone Kanobe 4, Emma Hill (Waiuku) Delta Lieutenant 5, Sam Spence (Gisborne) Driving Ambition 6.

Rose and Thorne Lady and Girl Rider Prize: Jessica Brough (Kaipoi) and Leeshelle Small (Ramarama).

Mr Versatile Trophy for the best performed registered thoroughbred at the show (sponsored by Ainsley Downs): Grace O’Sullivan (Rangiora) Blastov. Runner-up: Alanna Aarts (Auckland) George Jetson.

Written by Diana Dobson
Photo Credit Libby Law