Brooke Edgecombe figures her LT Holst Andrea is getting better with age. The calm and consistent 10-year-old mare was the only double clear in the Equissage Horse Grand Prix at the Wairarapa A&P Show, heading home 20 other combinations to take the win.

Just four came back for the jump-off over the Gary Sinclair-designed course. Julie Davey (Hastings) and Centaroc were first out and had two down towards the end of the course. Next was Brooke (Waipukurau) who wanted to go clear, to put the pressure on the two to follow. Her plan worked perfectly and Julie aboard the imported Joligne de Carmel had a rail at the first to give her second place with Doug Isaacson (Dannevirke) and Elmo eliminated early in the course to finish fourth. Centaroc was third with his earlier effort.

“It was a good course out there,” said Brooke. “Gary made it a little bit technical and you had to decide on how many strides you were doing on some lines and stick to it. A couple of lines had options to them.”

She was rapt with Andrea. “She jumped really well. She is pretty laid back and has such a nice nature. She always tries her heart out.” They’ve had four grand prix starts for a win, two seconds and a third. “She’s very consistent.” Brooke plans to focus on the World Cup league this year with hopes of making the series podium.

She was very complimentary about those behind the Wairarapa Show, saying it is always well run and a great event to attend.

 

In the Country TV Pony Grand Prix, three of the 10 original starters progressed through to the jump-off where Dylan Bibby (Waipukurau) and his gorgeous Daisy Patch reigned supreme with a speedy double clear in 55.5 seconds. Runner-up Samantha Carrington (Takapau) and Colours of Lansing were also double clear but with a slightly slower time of 57.38. Chantelle Smith (Palmerston North) and Finch threw all they had at the shorter course and while they flew around in 50.33, they finished on four faults when the second to last fence hit the grass.

 

Results –

 

Equissage Horse Grand Prix Series: Brooke Edgecombe (Waipukurau) LT Holst Andrea 1, Julie Davey (Hastings) Joligne de Carmel 2, Julie Davey (Hastings) Centaroc 3, Doug Isaacson (Dannevirke) Elmo 4, Ike Baker (Wellington) Hawkesdale Mahe 5, Logan Massie (Dannevirke) Intellect 6.

 

Country TV Pony Grand Prix Series: Dylan James Bibby (Waipukurau) Daisy Patch 1, Samantha Carrington (Takapau) Colours of Lansing 2, Chantelle Smith (Palmerston North) Finch 3, Lucy Buchanan (Havelock North) Redcliff Colour Me Quick 4, Katie Bridgeman (Auckland) Tallyho Scoundrel 5, Chantelle Smith (Palmerston North) My Hummingbird 6.

 

FMG Young Rider Series: Sophie Scott (Wellington) Lakota 1, Ike Baker (Wellington) Hawkesdale Mahe 2, Blake Davis (Palmerston North) Socrates De La Vie Z 3, Nicholas O’Leary (Wanganui) Obeone Kanobe 4, Sophie Scott (Wellington) Glenbrooke Centarose 5.

 

Hinterland Amateur Rider Series: Jessica Giles (Upper Hutt) Dining at Dusk 1, Kaleigh Kent (Otane) Double J Sponge Bob Square Pants 2, Jillian Watson (Stratford) Hezvolt 3, Anna Stephen (Carterton) Lollipops SP 4, Jacqui Symes (Waipukurau) Double J Recall 5, Nicole Watson (Stratford) Ohmyholly 6.

 

Dunstan Horsefeeds and EquiFibre Pro-Amateur Rider Series: Sally Clark (Dannevirke) Victoria’s Secret 1, Desiree Foxley (Hawke’s Bay) Johnny Dodge 2, Amanda Illston (Masterton) Iguazu 3, Laura Knight (Palmerston North) Aria 4, Rachel Nelson (Waimarama) Delmotte 5.

 

Dunstan Horsefeeds and EquiFibre Junior Rider Series: Samantha Carrington (Takapau) Double J Breeze On 1, Ike Baker (Wellington) Vidal NZPH 2, Ella Harkness (Napier) Kiwi Mildee 3, Lola Slaughter (Wellington) Scenario 4, Sophie Scott (Wellington) Glenbrooke Rich as Roses 5, Ella Baigent Brown (Wellington) High Finance 6.

 

Matthews Hanoverians Seven-Year-Old Series: Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) Central Park 1, Harvey Nelson (Waimarama) Ngahiwi Loone 2, Amanda Illston (Masterton) Iguazu 3, Robert Steele (Dannevirke) Two Eye See 4, Katie Hercock (Otane) Whimsical WDS 5, Jesse Linton (Hastings) Vitess 6.

 

Mitavite Speedi-Beet Six-Year-Old Series: Georgia Percy (Wairarapa) Double J Image, Kathryn Alabaster (Ocean Beach) Drama NZPH and Oliver Edgecombe (Waipukurau) LT Holst Elizabeth =1.

 

East Coast Performance Horses Five-Year-Old Series: Alex Loiselle (Ocean Beach) Encore NZPH 1.

 

By Diana Dobson

October 30, 2018