New Zealand showjumpers have been competing at shows in the United States, Australia and Denmark over the weekend with some promising results.

Uma O’Neill and Sharn Wordley were 12th and 15th respectively in the Grand Prix at the CSI4* in Upperville, Virginia. Uma and Clockwise of Greenhill Z had a single rail down in the opening round of the Upperville Jumper Classic, stopping the clock at 76.97 seconds. Sharn and Verdini d’Houtveld Z had both down in the double for eight faults in 73.79 seconds. Just three of the 32 combinations were clear in the opener, with the class won by Jordan Coyle (IRL) and Ariso who rode off with $US70,389 in prize money.

In Denmark, at the Longines EEF Nations Cup Uggerhalne, Tom Tarver and Fiber Fresh Popeye picked up 13 faults in the opening round of the 1.50m Helgstrand Grand Prix Big Tour.

“Popeye was good – I was happy enough with the weekend, with him jumping two good rounds out of three,” said Tom. “Just my mistakes today but happy that Popeye is jumping good again after his time off.”

The Grand Prix was won by Jens Fredricson (SWE) and Markan Cosmopolit who bagged the only double clear of the 51-strong class and ride off with the Euro12,775 first prize.

In Australia, Brooke Edgecombe and LT Holst Andrea came out firing, winning the Grand Prix at Nambour on the Sunshine Coast. The Waipukurau combo flew in aboard a direct flight on Friday and hit the ground running in the 35-strong 1.4m class which featured a number of top Aussie combinations.

Eight came back for the jump-off where Brooke and Andrea were the only double clear. She now shifts her focus to the World Cup at Gatton next weekend followed by the Caboolture World Cup the week after.

“I am very pleased with her,” said Brooke. “We haven’t had anything since Takapoto but I have kept her in work with something like this in mind. When the direct flight came up I just thought ‘why not?.”

Brooke said it was wonderful to have the mare feeling so good and that she hadn’t been affected by the travel or break. “It was a massive atmosphere there too with side shows and more – I think it was almost too much for her to look at so she concentrated on the ring!”

By Diana Dobson – HP Media Liaison