Te Aroha teen Rylee Sheehan and Bandito NZPH may only have three Grand Prix to their credit but they notched their second win today in the ESNZ-sponsored class on the final day of the Larsen Sawmilling Equestrian Championships in Gisborne.
Eight lined up to be challenged by veteran designer Kevin Hansen’s course. The opening round saw clears from Tegan Fitzsimon (West Melton) aboard Campari and 15-year-old Rylee. Jesse Linton (Hastings) had four faults aboard each of his mounts LT Holst Elsbeth and Cavallino, as did Mikayla Herbert (Rotorua) on Grand Caballo and Simon Wilson (Waipukurau) with McMillans Ariados. Drew Carson (Putaruru) and LC Autograph had eight faults. Olivia Newsom (Tauranga) was incredibly unlucky aboard Caretino Jewel. The in-form combination were coming through the double when the fill in the second fence fell, the horse got a fright and Olivia was unmounted.
The remaining seven combinations came back for the second round where Drew and Simon both notched clear rounds but were carrying faults. Tegan and Campari went double clear, stopping the clock in 68.47 seconds and putting all the pressure on her stablemate Rylee.
He knew only too well, that with nothing to lose, he had to give it his best shot and while he nudged one fence he and his bay gelding came home all clear in 63 seconds to take the win.
“Sometimes I do let him go a bit much but it pays off when you get results like this,” he said of the 10-year-old who has been with him for nearly two years. “Our first season was a bit hit and miss but now we trust each other and things are going well.”
He figures the new arena at home may have made the difference. “I never expected him to go this well at this level so quickly. He started going so well in young riders so we just went up.”
Rylee says he loves the energy of his horse. “He always wants to do well for me.”
The win in the Horse Grand Prix came on the back of victory in the FMG Young Rider yesterday and today he and Tony the Pony were fourth in the Country TV Pony Grand Prix which was quinella-ed by Dylan Bibby (Onga Onga).
Dylan bagged the only two clears of the opening round with his horses My Funky Monkey and Daisy Patch, who are half-siblings. He opted not to jump-off and instead nominated My Funky Monkey for the win.
He’s hoping to start both in the Pony of the Year class in March, and says it was My Funky Monkey who needed the series points more.
“Today I just wanted to go clear and put the pressure on the others,” said the 16-year-old. This is My Funky Monkey’s first full season at Grand Prix level and today his first win.
Earlier in the show, Tegan Fitzsimon and Campari headed home a small but quality field in the Erin Duffy-designed FEI CSI1* open horse 1.4m. The in form 15-year-old Olivia Newsom (Tauranga) and Caretino Jewel got the class with a great clear round, with Jesse Linton (Hastings) aboard LT Holst Elsbeth and Tegan following suit. The remainder of the field all had four faults apiece.
Everyone came back for the second where only Olivia and Tegan kept their slates clean but Rylee Sheehan (Te Aroha) and Bandito NZPH added nothing more to their tally to finish the class on four faults. Fastest time of the second round went to Jesse aboard his eight-year-old mare but they paid for their speed with two rails in their 43.29-second time and had to settle for fifth. Olivia stopped the clock in 46.01 seconds for second with Simon Wilson (Waipukurau) and McMillans Ariados third on their four faults in 45.38-second effort. Rylee was fourth, also on four faults and crossing the flags in 49.02 seconds.
But the day belonged to Tegan and her eight-year-old bay who just last weekend competed in the FEI World Cup New Zealand Series final in Auckland. Her plan coming into the class had been for two nice rounds after a “challenging” weekend at the World Cup Final.
And while they started the second round slow and steady, they soon picked up pace, coming home in 45.31 seconds to take the win.
“We changed our plan on Sunday night and decided to come to Gisborne for a confidence-building outing,” said the 30-year-old. “He was great out there and after this show will have three weeks off until Takapoto Estate Show Jumping.”
She had plenty of praise for Erin’s course saying it had jumped really well, produced some nice rounds and was a good lead in to Sunday’s ESNZ Grand Prix.
“Gisborne has a really nice atmosphere and good vibe. The ground is awesome out there,” said Tegan, tipping her hat to the hard-working committee for their efforts.
In October she and her top horse Windermere Cappuccino won the Horse Grand Prix at the Spring Show.
It rounded out another great day in the saddle for Tauranga teen Olivia Newsom who earlier took the quinella in the open horse 1.2m for horses seven and under, winning aboard Charmed Escudo MSNZ and placing second on Distinction MSNZ, and placing fourth in the open horse 1.2m with Caretino Jewel. Olivia has been in a purple patch with her team. She and Caretino Jewel also won the best presented combination at the FEI CSI1* horse inspection.
Results –
Showjumping, ESNZ Horse Grand Prix: Rylee Sheehan (Te Aroha) Bandito NZPH 1, Tegan Fitzsimon (West Melton) Campari 2, Simon Wilson (Waipukurau) McMillans Ariados 3, Jesse Linton (Hastings) LT Holst Elsbeth 4, Drew Carson (Putaruru) LC Autograph 5, Jesse Linton (Hastings) Cavallino 6.
FEI CSI1* Open Horse 1.4m: Tegan Fitzsimon (West Melton) Campari 1, Olivia Newsom (Tauranga) Caretino Jewel 2, Simon Wilson (Waipukurau) McMillans Ariados 3, Rylee Sheehan (Te Aroha) Bandito NZPH 4, Jesse Linton (Hastings) LT Holst Elsbeth 5, Mikayla Herbert (Rotorua) Grand Caballo 6. Best presented: Olivia Newsom (Tauranga) Caretino Jewel.
Country TV Pony Grand Prix: Dylan Bibby (Onga Onga) My Funky Monkey 1, Dylan Bibby (Onga Onga) Daisy Patch 2, Georgie Wilson (Taupo) Showtym Boss 3, Rylee Sheehan (Te Aroha) Tony the Pony 4, Zara Preece-Twose (Greenhithe) TC Pianoman 5, Annie Moffett (Hawke’s Bay) Piripi 6.
FMG Young Rider Series: Rylee Sheehan (Te Aroha) Bandito NZPH 1, Olivia Newsom (Tauranga) Caretino Jewel 2, Ally Carson (Putaruru) Whiorau Ritchie 3, Dylan Bibby (Onga Onga) Wenrose Vertigo 4, Leeshelle Small (Ramarama) AMS Dolce NZPH 5, Sophie Littlewood (Auckland) Corpaccio Xtreme 6.
Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider Series: Shelley Bridgeman (Auckland) Oaks Vendetta 1, Holly Baines (Gisborne) Halo 2, Shelagh Nolan (Gisborne) Ngahiwi Eyeza Blue 3, Fleur Butler (Tauranga) Unique QT 4, Sofie Gaddum (Gisborne) Sentra 5, Fleur Butler (Tauranga) Matawhero Luciano 6.
Harrison Lane Pro-Amateur Rider Series: Kim Best (Hawke’s Bay) LT Holst Teacher’s Pet 1, Larina Dolman (Gisborne) Kiwi Lansing 2, Susie McLeod (Auckland) Arrans Lad 3, Ashley Hart (Hastings) Kiwi Showtime 4, Noni Morgan (Hastings) Starlight Discovery 5, Geordie Bull (Atiamuri) Downtown NZPH 6.
Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider Series: Olivia Newsom (Tauranga) Charmed Escudo MSNZ 1, Jas Flowerday (Bay of Plenty) Hit Parade 2, Georgie Wilson (Taupo) Forest Hill 3, Tim Wilson (Waipukurau) McMillans Chuck 4, Annie Moffett (Hawke’s Bay) Samantha the Dachshund 5.
Matthews Hanoverians Seven-Year-Old Series: Olivia Newsom (Tauranga) Charmed Escudo MSNZ 1, Anna Parsons (Takapau) Snapchat Me 2, Ally Carson (Putaruru) Eye Candy 3, Kate Herdson (Auckland) Juneau SSNZ 4, Olivia Newsom (Tauranga) Distinction MSNZ 5.
UltraMox Six-Year-Old Series: Julie Davey (Hastings) LT Holst Freda 1.
East Coast Performance Horses Five-Year-Old Series: Ike Baker (Hawke’s Bay) Double J Graduate and Ashley Hart (Hastings) Kiwi Royal =1.
Main-Events Tertiary Challenge Series: Olivia Forster (Cambridge) Cassino du Domaine 1.
Show hunter, NRM Open Horse High Points Series: Anna Parsons (Takapau) Snapchat Me 1, Holly Baines (Gisborne) Halo 2, Claudia Odlin (Te Kuiti) Rei Huia Arnie 3, Shelagh Nolan (Gisborne) Ngahiwi Eyeza Blue 4, Mikayla Herbert (Rotorua) Ferrero NZPH 5.
Sure Grip Mats Pony Equitation Series: Katie Bibby (Onga Onga) Greedy McCready 1, Zara von Dadelszen (Waipukurau) Star Waka 2.
Aniwell Cat C High points Series: Amelia Newsom (Tauranga) Mr Mexico 1, Katie Bibby (Onga Onga) Greedy McCready 2, Ella Rouse (Gisborne) Well Dun Daisy 3.
Fiber Fresh Cat B High Points: Hannah McConnell (Tauranga) Billy Blunt 1, Ella Rouse (Gisborne) Ruby Tunes 2, Janey Pease (Piopio) Barney Rubble 3, Georgie Coop (Gisborne) Little MacIntosh 4, Sam Brooks (Gisborne) Kingslea Chat Up 5.
Float Factory Cat A High Points Series: Stellar Aulding (Gisborne) Hololio Sparkling Rose 1, Victoria Dorward (Hawke’s Bay) Little Explorer 2, Iyve Speirs (Gisborne) Miss Candy Floss 3, Molly McEwan (Gisborne) Buffalo Man 4.
Gyro Plastics Junior High Points Series: Libby Wilson (Taupo) Hokey Pokey 1.
ESNZ Show Hunter 12 and Under Equitation Series: Iyve Speirs (Gisborne) Miss Candy Floss 1, Georgie Coop (Gisborne) Little MacIntosh 2, Molly McEwan (Gisborne) Buffalo Man 3, Vienna Wilson (Taupo) Ashbury Robin Hood 4.
ESNZ Amateur High Points Series: Merran Hain (Gisborne) Untouchable 1, Ingrid Herdson (Auckland) Stelvio GNZ 2, Shelley Watts (Gisborne) Craighaven French Made 3, Sharlene Mitchell (Auckland) Diarnimo 4, Claudia Odlin (Te Kuiti) Rei Huia Arnie 5.
ESNZ Junior Equitation and Petticoat Lane Performance Horses Adult Equitation Series (combined): Libby Wilson (Taupo) Hokey Pokey 1, Claudia Odlin (Te Kuiti) Rei Huia Arnie 2, Mikayla Herbert (Rotorua) Ferrero NZPH 3, Sharlene Mitchell (Auckland) Diarnimo 4, Ingrid Herdson (Auckland) Stevio GNZ 5.
Float Factory Cat A Pony High Points: Iyve Speirs (Gisborne) Miss Candy Floss 1, Stellar Aulding (Gisborne) Hololio Sparkling Rose 2, Victoria Dorward (Havelock North) Little Explorer 3, Zoe McNaught (Gisborne) Mr Riley 4.
Fiber Fresh Cat B High Points Series: Vienna Wilson (Taupo) Ashbury Robin Hood 1, Georgie Coop (Gisborne) Little MacIntosh 2, Ella Rouse (Gisborne) Ruby Tunes 3, Hannah McConnell (Tauranga) Billy Blunt 4.
Sure Grip Mats Pony Equitation Series: Amelia Newsom (Tauranga) Mr Mexico 1, Zara von Dadelszen (Waipukurau) Star Waka 2, Katie Bibby (Onga Onga) Greedy McCready 3, Ella Rouse (Gisborne) Well Dun Daisy 4, China Gunness (Gisborne) Just Trouble 5.
Aniwell Cat C High Points Series: Katie Bibby (Onga Onga) Greedy McCready 1, Ella Rouse (Gisborne) Well Dun Daisy 2.
Gyro Plastics Junior and ESNZ Show Hunter Amateur High Points Series (combined): Merran Hain (Gisborne) Untouchable 1, Libby Wilson (Taupo) Hokey Pokey 2, Claudia Odlin (Te Kuiti) Rei Huia Arnie 3, Sharlene Mitchell (Auckland) Diarnimo 4, Ingrid Herdson (Auckland) Stevio GNZ 5.
ESNZ Junior and Petticoat Lane Performance Horses Adult Rider Equitation Series (combined): Claudia Odlin (Te Kuiti) Rei Huia Arnie 1, Libby Wilson (Taupo) Hokey Pokey 2, Sharlene Mitchell (Auckland) Diarnimo 3, Ingrid Herdson (Auckland) Stelvio GNZ 4, Mikayla Herbert (Rotorua) Ferrero NZPH 5.
NRM Open High Points Series: Anna Parsons (Takapau) Snapchat Me 1, Mikayla Herbert (Rotorua) Ferrero NZPH 2, Merran Hain (Gisborne) Untouchable 3, Claudia Odlin (Te Kuiti) Rei Huia Arnie 4.
For full results, head to www.main-events.com
Jumping Team
24 January 2021