Simon Wilson & McMillans Ariados winners of the EvoEvents Horse Grand Prix at Wellington-Horowhenua Jumping Champs 9-10 October 2021.
Photo Credit: Belinda Pratt Photography
Simon Wilson made the perfect start to his first outing for the season with victory in the EvoEvents Horse Grand Prix at the Bayley’s Real Estate and Gyro Plastics Wellington-Horowhenua Jumping and Show Hunter Championships in Foxton today (Sunday).
Aboard the 12-year-old McMillans Ariados, Simon headed home the three combinations who progressed through to the jump-off over the Chris Rogers-designed course. The three each picked up four faults in the opening round but were clear in the jump-off.
Katharine Van Tuyl (Palmerston North) and Double J Sunshine were first out, crossing the flags in 47.45 seconds. Next out was Simon who said he looked to emulate Katharine’s “nice” round but add a little bit of speed for his 41.99-second effort. Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) aboard Central Park were last to go and while chased Simon’s time hard, had to settle for second with their 42.02 round.
“It was a nice course out there,” says Simon, “certainly strong enough but the conditions were good and the horses jumped well.”
The win topped off a good show for the Wilson family – Simon and Ariados won the 1.3m on the opening day of the show, with a clutch of other ribbons heading home to Waipukurau with Claire, Tim and Anna.
Ariados has been with the Wilsons since he was eight, arriving at their sheep and beef station “beautifully prepared” by Susie Hayward and her daughter. He and Simon have worked their way quietly up the grades and has had a handful of Grand Prix wins, their last at Wairoa in January.
Simon continues to dabble in the racing game and has four in training. He’s hopeful one will step up to be as good as his recently-retired star Dez.
COVID has been challenging but Simon says with farming being an essential service, it was business as usual for the family. He said they were all chuffed to be out at their first show of the season. “It is tough for these organising committees to hold these shows. I think we just have to take each show as it comes. If you get one, you are pretty lucky . . . actually we are all lucky to be out there doing what we love.”
He was full of praise for the efforts of the Wellington-Horowhenua Group. “They did a very good job. They were well sorted and organised and just handled it all really well. It was so good to be out competing again.”
It was a quinella for Penny Borthwick (Masterton) in the Country TV Pony Grand Prix, taking the win aboard Rednalhgih Cowan and placing second on Foxdens Merlot. There were no clears from the seven starters in the opening round, and Penny’s victory came from a four-fault round.
Group chair Warren Ives said they had created bubbles within bubbles and been vigilant to ensure the rules were all followed. “We had to be the fun police a bit to make sure everyone stuck to their trucks and I think they all did a fantastic job in doing that. It is a small price to pay to have an event like that.”
He tipped his hat to his crew. “Everyone involved in bringing the event together was committed to doing just that.”
An added bonus at the show was that show-goers could get their COVID vaccinations at the show yesterday, with around 35 taking up the opportunity.
Warren designed the courses in ring 2 with Gerry Brockhouse in ring 3. The show attracted 380-odd horses and was held at the Foxton Race Course.
Results –
Showjumping, EvoEvents Horse Grand Prix Series (in conjunction with Bayley’s Real Estate): Simon Wilson (Waipukurau) McMillans Ariados 1, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) Central Park 2, Katharine Van Tuyl (Palmerston North) Double J Sunshine 3, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) Gold Locks 4, Sophie Scott (Wellington) Glenbrooke Rich as Roses 5, Heloise Tolo (Wellington) Kiwi Bird 6.
Country TV Pony Grand Prix (in conjunction with Capital City Mazda): Penny Borthwick (Masterton) Rednalhgih Cowan 1, Penny Borthwick (Masterton) Foxdens Merlot 2, Tessa Mason (Napier) Mr Acho 3, Sally Peffers (Dannevirke) All That Jazz 4, Reef Hicks (Hawke’s Bay) Bits & Pieces 5.
FMG Young Rider Series (in conjunction with Versatile Buildings): Sophie Scott (Wellington) Lakota 1, Kimberley Carrington (Takapau) Double J Barmaid 2, Isabella Narracci (Hastings) Good Time 3, Sam Carrington (Takapau) Double J Breeze On 4, Karis Spurway (New Plymouth) Kapattack 5, Parys Marshall (Taranaki) LG Whata Balou 6.
Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider Series (in conjunction with Sysdoc): Abe Baker (Raukawa) Hawkesdale Mahe 1, Kimberley Carrington (Takapau) Double J Typhoon 2, Tara Gower (Ohura) Double J Image 3, Tara Gower (Ohura) Riverhills Bayliner 4, Dylan Bibby (Onga Onga) Magic Dragon 5, Tim Wilson (Waipukurau) McMillans Chuck 6.
Harrison Lane Pro Amateur Rider Series (in conjunction with Vets on Riverbank): Brigitte Smith (Mangaweka) HR Lanardo 1, Tanya Hansen (Taranaki) Euro Champagne 2, Amanda Pottinger (Havelock North) Good Timing 3, Noni Morgan (Hastings) Starlight Discovery 4, Sally Clark (Dannevirke) Victoria’s Secret 5, Bailey Rutter (Wairarapa) Henton Serenade 6.
Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider Series (in conjunction with Century Distributors): Janine Kirkbeck (Otaki) Highflyer 1, Kaleigh Kent (Otane) Double the Dazzle 2, Janine Kirkbeck (Otaki) Leandres GNZ 3, Sacha Rennie (Palmerston North) Meersbrooke Ziva 4, Jo Andrews (Otaki) Coco Petite 5, Jaime Watters (Colyton) Solstice 6.
East Coast Performance Horses Five-Year-Old Series (in conjunction with Aussie Equine Supp): Tracy Mason (Hawke’s Bay) Kiwi Cocokee, Sam Carrington (Takapau) Double J Odin, Anneke van Rooyen (Taumarunui) Awaroa Geronimo, Tara Gower (Ohura) Riverhills Legend, Ike Baker (Raukawa) LT Holst Emric, Noni Morgan (Hastings) The Eleventh Hour and Anneke van Rooyen (Taumarunui) Awaroa New Edition =1.
UltraMox Six-Year-Old Series (in conjunction with Euro Sport Horses): Anneke van Rooyen (Taumarunui) Awaroa Ginger Kiss, Oliver Edgecombe (Waipukurau) Takapoto Tinka, Kimberley Carrington (Takapau) Double J Typhoon and Ike Baker (Raukawa) Double J Graduate =1.
Matthews Hanoverians Seven-Year-Old Series (in conjunction with Gorge River Equestrian): Sophie Scott (Wellington) Benrose Casino ECPH 1, Sophie Scott (Wellington) Joopiter 2, Sam Carrington (Takapau) Double J Hurricane 3, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) Final Warrior 4, Claire Wilson (Waipukurau) McMillans Banter 5, Robert Steele (Dannevirke) Royal Wish 6.
Show hunter, 2 days of Series Points:
NRM Open High Points Series: Antonio Matangi (Levin) Shoeshine Polish 1, Nicholas O’Leary (Palmerston North) El Diablo 2.
Carousel Equestrian Amateur High Points Series: Antonio Matangi (Levin) Shoeshine Polish 1, Sally Ward (Waipukurau) Paradox 2, Antonio Matangi (Levin) My Delta 3, Olivia Power (Foxton) Louisiana Rain 4.
Gyro Plastics Junior High Points Series: Hazel Jones (Plimmerton) Sancho 1, Hazel Jones (Plimmerton) Atlan 2.
Petticoat Lane Performance Horses Adult Equitation Series: Nicholas O’Leary (Palmerston North) El Diablo 1, Sally Ward (Waipukurau) Paradox 2, Antonio Matangi (Levin) Shoeshine Polish 3, Olivia Power (Foxton) Louisiana Rain 4, Georgie Gilman (Central Districts) Riverview Minka 5.
ESNZ Junior Equitation Series: Hazel Jones (Plimmerton) Sancho 1, Sophie Hayes (Wellington) Moulin Rouge 2, Olivia Nation (Wellington) Lanius GNZ 3.
Hokonui Sport Horses Cat A High Points Series: Lily Kent (Hastings) Ataahua Rapture 1, Sophia Neale (Palmerston North) Sonrise Essence 2, Katherine Walker (Paraparaumu) Avataare 3, Poppy Tatham (Masterton) Nikau Rockstar 4.
Fiber Fresh Cat B High Points Series: Emily Oliver (Kapiti Coast) Summer Fiesta 1, Poppy Tatham (Masterton) Wembleybrook O Driscoll 2, Kate Procter (Palmerston North) Trevellyn Blue Bell 3, Lucy Oliver (Peka Peka) Mr Mika Choo 4, Ella Easton (Levin) Matai SB 5.
Aniwell Cat C High Points Series: Kaitlin Brown (Wairoa) Tawa 1, Sophie Charlton (Hastings) She’s a Puzzle 2, Katie Bibby (Onga Onga) Greedy McCready 3, Bridie King (Pahiatua) Puketawa Celtic Legend 4, Lily McIntyre (Wanganui) Ever So Clever Girl 5.
BoP and Waikato Show Hunter Groups 12 & Under Equitation Series: Aggie Shearer (Feilding) Vanace Rosalie 1, Lucy Oliver (Peka Peka) Mr Mika Choo 2, Zara Sutton (Palmerston North) VS Enviable 3, Cara Yates (New Plymouth) Triple Star Silver Shadow 4, Daniella Jelliman (Feilding) Puketawa Puzzle 5.
ESNZ Show Hunter Pony Rider Equitation Series: Kaitlin Brown (Wairoa) Tawa 1, Bridie King (Pahiatua) Puketawa Celtic Legend 2, Zahara Winyard (Masterton) Fidget Spinner 3, Sofia Williams (Masterton) Grassendale Gin 4, Millie Parker (Oakura) Ronnie 5.
NRM Open High Points Series: Nicholas O’Leary (Palmerston North) El Diablo 1, Amanda Pottinger (Havelock North) Chasing Great 2, Anna Parsons (Havelock North) Snapchat Me 3, Antonio Matangi (Levin) Shoeshine Polish 4, Amanda Pottinger (Havelock North) Indulge 5.
Carousel Equestrian Amateur High Points Series: Antonio Matangi (Levin) Shoeshine Polish 1, Antonio Matangi (Levin) My Delta 2, Antonio Matangi (Levin) Marua 3, Zoe Gordon (Waipukurau) Donnerousseau 4, Georgie Gilman (Central Districts) Riverview Minka 5.
Gyro Plastics Junior High Points Series: Olivia Nation (Wellington) Lanius GNZ 1, Joshua Borostyan (New Plymouth) Putahi Iwa 2, Maggie Keenan (Waikanae) Apollo II 3, Alice Bourke (Eketahuna) Buzzie Bees Thunder 4.
Petticoat Lane Performance Horses Adult Equitation Series: Nicholas O’Leary (Palmerston North) El Diablo 1, Antonio Matangi (Levin) Shoeshine Polish 2, Georgie Gilman (Central Districts) Riverview Minka 3, Zoe Gordon (Waipukurau) Donnerousseau 4, Sally Ward (Waipukurau) Paradox 5.
ESNZ Junior Equitation Series: Olivia Nation (Wellington) Lanius GNZ 1.
Hokonui Sport Horses Cat A High Points Series: Aggie Shearer (Feilding) Vanace Rosalie 1, Sophia Neale (Palmerston North) Sonrise Essence 2, Poppy Tatham (Masterton) Nikau Rockstar 3, Sophia Neale (Palmerston North) Petal 4, Lily Kent (Waipawa) Ataahua Rapture 5.
Fiber Fresh Cat B High Points Series: Lucy Oliver (Kapiti Coast) Mr Mika Choo 1, Emily Oliver (Kapiti Coast) Summer Fiesta 2, Kate Procter (Palmerston North) Trevellyn Blue Bell 3, Poppy Tatham (Masterton) Wembleybrook O Driscoll 4, Hannah McConnell (Tauranga) Billy Blunt 5.
Aniwell Cat C High Points Series: Bridie King (Pahiatua) Puketawa Celtic Legend 1, Kaitlin Brown (Wairoa) Tawa 2, Lily McIntyre (Wanganui) Ever So Clever Girl 3, Zoe Wilson (Pukerua Bay) Step it Up 4, Sophie Charlton (Hastings) She’s a Puzzle 5.
BoP and Waikato Show Hunter Groups 12 & Under Equitation Series: Zara Sutton (Palmerston North) VS Enviable 1, Aggie Shearer (Feilding) Vanace Rosalie 2, Daniella Jelliman (Feilding) Puketawa Puzzle 3, Lily Kent (Waipawa) Ataahua Rapture 4, Lucy Oliver (Peka Peka) Mr Mika Choo 5.
ESNZ Show Hunter Pony Rider Equitation Series: Kaitlin Brown (Wairoa) Tawa 1, Poppy Tatham (Masterton) Wembleybrook O Driscol 2, Millie Parker (Oakura) Ronnie 3, Zoe Wilson (Pukerua Bay) Step it Up 4, Tommie Day (Kapiti) Kizzy’s Komet 5.
For full results, head to www.evoevents.co.nz .
By Diana Dobson
10 October 2021