Purple Patch In The Nick Of Time

Purple Patch In The Nick Of Time

Simon Wilson pulled off a Right Royal performance at the Larsen Sawmilling Equestrian Championships in Gisborne today (Friday) to snatch the lead of the New Zealand World Cup series in the penultimate round.

The 36-year-old Waipukurau farmer headed off 11 other combinations in a speed round where rails dropped were converted into time...and it was all a little deja vu.

Two years ago, Wilson did exactly the same and went on to win the series.

Series leader going into the round Anna Trent (Hawke's Bay) notched the fastest round of the day but paid for it with a rail towards the end of the course, sliding her into second place in both the class and on the leader board.

Wilson, who was third in the series going into the class, now leads the charge with 56 points from his best four rounds, with Trent second on 55 and Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) third on 52 points.

Wilson, who rides for Team That Horse, says he had nothing to loose in going out and just giving it his best shot on his 11-year-old bay gelding Right Royal, who was bred by Bruce and Lea Goldstone and is owned by Anne Magee.

Wilson went clear in 70.17, with Trent finishing on 71.24 after her four seconds for her rail were added.

Wilson's plan paid big dividends in a season that has been decidedly patchy for him.

“That's horses for you though,” he says.

He opted not to start his second mount Swinger in the Gerrit Beker-designed speed class, devoting his attention to Right Royal, who he has had for the past eight years.

“It's just great to come back and put in a good performance in the second to last round.”

With the Kelt Capital Horse of the Year Show just around the corner this former Showjumper of the Year crown winner is hoping his team have picked the perfect time to find their form.

Meanwhile, Robert Steele, the dairy farmer from Hawera, had a few lucky rail rubs on Gospel on his way round but everything stayed up and he stopped the clock at 72.69, good enough for third place.

Olympian Katie McVean, who finished fourth, took a rail and ended up with 75.56, while Beatson's one rail with My Gollywog left him in fifth spot with 76.15.

Bernard Denton, Gisborne's sole representative in the class, and his lovely little chestnut mare Suzuki finished sixth in 81.44.

The only clear round not to finish in the money was Beatson on Zibbibo who opted for a steady 83.99.

The World Cup (NZ series) final is on Sunday.

Results -

World Cup (NZ series): Team That Horse Simon Wilson (Waipukurau) Right Royal 1, Anna Trent (Hawke's Bay) Cortaflex Muskateer NZPH 2, Robert Steele (Hawera) Gospel 3, Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Forest II 4, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) My Gollywog 5, Bernard Denton (Gisborne) Suzuki 6.

Points (best four rounds): Team That Horse Simon Wilson (Waipukurau) 56 points, Anna Trent (Hawke's Bay) 55, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) 52.

Open horse 1.3m: Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) Kiwi Relic 1, Kaite McVean (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Hairy McLairy 2, Tess Williams (Gisborne) Walnut Brown 3, Melanie Purcell (Whakatane) Billistic 4, Catherine Cameron (Cambridge) Kahurangi Tardak 5, Caroline Parkes (Gisborne) Bush Magic 6.

Open horse 1.2m: Jackie Jermyn (Hamilton) Dolcetto 1, Daniel Webb (Hunterville) Abenaki Chief 2, Catherine Cameron (Cambridge) HR Khemosabi 3, Team That Horse Claire Wilson (Waipukurau) Sacred Hill Tipsey 4, Ike Unsworth (Tauranga) Whittaker MVNZ 5, Bridget Hansen (Hawke's Bay) Cortaflex Pay Day NZPH 6.

Open horse 1.2m: Paula Mussen (Pukekohe) Grindley 1, Megan Stacey (Opotiki) Kitchwa 2, Donna Smith (Te Awamutu) My Ocean Wave 3, Anna Stephen (Martinborough) Constantine 4, Tasha Brown (Tauranga) Holy Cow 5, Anna Stephen (Martinborough) Morningside 6.

Open horse 1.15m: Margot Best (Waipukurau) Cricklewood Tito 1, John MacLennan (Waipukurau) Mr Marmite 2, Tom Tarver-Priebe (Kawerau) Butterbing 3, Team Grand Meadows Rachel McGregor (Auckland) Henton Exclusive 4, Team Grand Meadows rachel McGregor (Auckland) Premium Henton Executive 5.

Open horse 1.1m: Cameron Hayes (Levin) Icyred 1, Jack Williams (Gisborne) Platonic 2, Anna Parsons (Takapau) Another Victory 3, Caroline Pearson (Kawerau) Amberdown Amulet 4, Megan Stacey (Te Puke) Malika 5.

Open pony 1.2m: Jake Lambert (Matamata) Co Calico and Luke Dee (Gisborne) Maximus =1, Jake Lambert (Matamata) Once in a Blue Moon 3, Claudia Porter (Hawke's Bay) Tallyho Bandit 4, Candice Fox (Whitford) 5.

Open pony 1.1m: Vicki Berger (Dargaville) Chocolate Splash 1, Mick Dee (Gisborne) The Shepherd 2, Mick Dee (Gisborne) Cheblinkers 3, Tinesha Carey (Hawke's Bay) Commando Of Glenwood 4.

ends

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