The 'Handbag' Comes Up Trumps

There was nothing tinny about Lucy Akers' superb win in the horse grand prix at the Dannevirke A and P Centennial Show today (Saturday).

The Palmerston North rider and her horse Tinapai – who she affectionately calls her handbag – blitzed the 15-strong field to easily take the honours.

Akers, who has spent several years based offshore, was second of four to go in the jump-off. Ahead of her Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) and Apollo van Evendael had posted a competitive looking time, leaving all the rails up.

That time very quickly became ordinary, when Akers sliced five seconds off it.

Beatson had another shot at the top slot with Jedi Warrior, but dropped a rail mid course, as did the fourth placed Julie Davey (Hastings) and Air Hill Myka.

It was a small field that started the young rider class, with Rachael Bentall (Hastings) snaffling first and second on her horses Kiwi Brave and Coastal Charm. Bentall is having a great battle at the top of the leaderboard with South Islander Brad Cunningham.

Tinesha Carey (Hastings) and Commando of Glenwood took out the pony grand prix ahead of 20 other combinations.

The final day of the show was held in near-perfect conditions.

Results -

Cathay Pacific horse grand prix: Lucy Akers (Palmerston North) Tinapai 1, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) Apollo van Evendael (owned by Trudy Biggar) 2, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) Jedi Warrior 3, Julie Davey (Hastings) Air Hill Myka 4, Maurice Beatson (Dannevike) Once a Warrior and Doug Isaacson (Dannevirke) Major Brown, Chloe Akers (Palmerston North) Brother Brown, Daniel Webb (Hunterville) Anasazi, Robert Steele (Hawera) Countryman =5.

FMG pony grand prix: Tinesha Carey (Hastings) Commando of Glenwood 1, Morgan Percy (Masterton) Surprise Illusion 2, Logan Massie (Dannevirke) Kickin the Clouds 3, Kalah McKay (Levin) Kabo So Far 4, Jessica Rutten (Waikanae) Cheleken Apollo 5, Claudia Porter (Hawke's Bay) Talleyho Bandit 6.

Toyota young rider: Rachael Bentall (Hastings) Kiwi Brave 1, Rachael Bentall (Hastings) Coastal Charm 2, Chloe Akers (Palmerston North) Brother Brown 3, Gabrielle Harvey (Palmerston North) Monavie Westella 4, Alexandra Cook (Takapau) My Bushbaby 5, Gabrielle Harvey (Palmerston North) Monavie Credit Card 6.

Horse mini prix: Julie Davey (Hastings) Air Hill Squaw Valley 1, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) Wishing Warrior 2, Rachael Bentall (Hastings) Coastal Charm 3, Desiree Foxley (Hastings) Knight's Templar 4.

Horse 1.4m: Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) Once a Warrior 1, Robert Steele (Hawera) Countryman, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) Apollo van Evendael, Julie Davey (Hastings) Air Hill Myka =2.

Horse 1.3m: Amy Roydhouse (Hastings) Roxborough 1, Julie Davey (Hastings) Air Hill Squaw Valley 2, Ali McWatters (Wellington) Willowridge Eclipse 3, John MacLennan (Waipukurau) Mister Marmite 4.

ends

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