Keira Page rides Redcliffs Colour Me In, Gisborne Showjumping, Sunday, January 26, 2020 Copyright Photo: KAMPIC / Kerry Marshall

Keira Page knew she had to make her Country TV Pony Grand Prix at the Pacific Motor Group Grand Prix Show Jumping Show really count at Woodhill Sands at the weekend.

She and Redcliffs Colour Me In were looking to qualify for the Pony of Year class at HOY but were sitting tied in 20th place. “That made it a really important win for me,” said the 16-year-old from Mystery Creek. The duo won, heading home seven other combinations to bag a win, but more importantly, valuable points.

Just two riders went through to the jump-off where Keira had the luxury of being last to go. Ahead of her, Maddison Greatorex (Waipu) and Spotified had picked up 16 faults. “I was just going for a safe clear,” said Keira. “The course wasn’t too tricky either. It was a bit of a relief to get around clear and take the win.” It was just their third Pony Grand Prix victory together and their second for the season.

Keira has brought the eight-year-old skewbald mare through from 70cm to Grand Prix level over the past three years. The family bought the mare, who has never been competed by anyone else, from Tim and Kate Hewlett in Kerikeri.

Mum Cindy Page says Redcliffs Colour Me In is quite an incredible pony. “At times she is very difficult but they are great together,” says Cindy.

One of the biggest challenges they have faced is that the mare is too sensitive for a bit. Over the years she has even competed in a rope halter but for the last couple of seasons heads into the ring in a western bosal. At home for schooling and cruising, she still uses just a halter.

“I love that Redcliffs Colour Me In is super quirky and that we have a real bond together. It is a partnership that just works.”

 

Results –

Country TV Pony Grand Prix: Keira Page (Mystery Creek) Redcliffs Colour Me In 1, Maddison Greatorex (Waipu) Spotified 2, Katie Readings (Pukekawa) Rump Shaker 3, Amelia Munro (Paremoremo) MF Spot On 4, Katie Readings (Pukekawa) Circus Girl 5.

 

Maxlife Batteries Pony Mini Prix: Casey Richardson-Mould (Auckland) Ngatotara Fortune 500 1, Samantha-Lee Wakeling (Wellsford) BMW Sharpshooter 2, Francesca Bishell (Auckland) Galaxy Disco Fever II 3, Maddison Greatorex (Waipu) BMW Cookies N Cream 4, Samantha-Lee Wakeling (Wellsford) BMW Gem Drops 5, Jordyn Appleton (Taupaki) Mighty Mo 6.

 

Outpost Building Horse Mini Prix 1.2- 1.3m: Georgia Lawrie (Auckland) Woodbine Legacy ST 1, Maddison Greatorex (Waipu) Daisy Duke NZPH 2, Keean Cooper (Te Kauwhata) Pythia 3, Sandra Stanford (Silverdale, Auckland) El Vira 4, Lizzie Green (Hamilton) Rubix RE 5, Maddison Bult (Kumeu) Aldivo 2 6.

 

By Diana Dobson

6 March 2020