Equestrian - First Timer to Wairoa Takes the Big Class

Equestrian - First Timer to Wairoa Takes the Big Class

Lisa Cubitt’s decision to head to the Wairoa A and P Show for the first time proved a winner today for both her and her horse Bates Amaretto MVNZ.

Cubitt (nee Coupe) is no stranger to the New Zealand showjumping circuit, but she’s never before competed at Wairoa – until this weekend.

Today the Cambridge horsewoman and Beetle – as Bates Amaretto MVNZ is better known – headed home a small but competitive field in the Country TV Horse Grand Prix.

Cubitt won valuable points for the season series while Beetle got his favourite drop – a beer.

Nine started the Pam Hamilton (Gisborne) designed course. Clears came from Cubitt, youngster Emily Hayward-Morgan (Te Awamutu) aboard AP Ninja, Erin Clark (Opotiki) on Reflector and Molly Bennett (Wairoa) aboard her lovely stallion Landsman GNZ.

The four came back for the jump-off, with Hayward-Morgan setting a swift 44.87 seconds over the shortened course, but taking a rail in the process.

Cubitt was next, leaving everything up in 42.62 thanks to some tight turns and a little luck, followed by Clark who opted for a steady clear on her chestnut in 54.22. Last to go was Bennett, who while clear, were not quite fast enough with their 46.47 time.

Cubitt was rapt. Beetle has had a challenging few months.

“He’s definitely back on the up,” she said.

A stable injury meant an eight month recovery period, and in the meantime, Cubitt and her Irish husband Sean welcomed their first child Finn to the clan.

“Beetle just wasn’t himself and it has taken a while just to get him back to full fitness and condition.”

He had a good win in Auckland, followed by a second in a 1.4m class at Taupo, but today was his first “proper” win.

And just for good measure, he bagged two wins at the country show.

Fifth today in the class was Simon Wilson (Waipukurau), aboard McMillan’s Midway Smooth Dude, who was the only four faulter in the opening round. Wilson has been sidelined since a hunting accident in June, and admitted to a few nerves going into the class.

In the pony grand prix Ally Carson (Putaruru) guided Tony the Pony to a lovely win in a 24-strong field. The combination were just over a second faster than the second placed Maddison Bult (Karaka) and her stylish Mr Black Magic and late entry Charlotte Amos (Hamilton) on Captain Nemo who was another two seconds slower.

The premier classes drew to an end a very successful two day show at the Wairoa Showgrounds.

Results -

Country TV Horse Grand Prix: Lisa Cubitt (Cambridge) Bates Amaretto MVNZ 1, Molly Bennett (Wairoa) Landsman GNZ 2, Erin Clark (Opotiki) Reflector 3, Emily Hayward-Morgan (Te Awamutu) AP Ninja 4, Simon Wilson (Waipukurau) McMillan’s Midway Smooth Dude 5, Bryony Smith (Waimauku) Ngahiwi Warrior and Geordie Bull (Taupo) Forest Hill =6.

Pony Grand Prix: Ally Carson (Putaruru) Tony The Pony 1, Maddison Bult (Karaka) Mr Black Magic 2, Charlotte Amos (Hamilton) Captain Nemo 3, Leeshelle Small (Pukekohe) Mahoe Moon Frost 4, Maddison Bult (Karaka) Pioneer High Jinx 5, Caitlin Lally (Silverdale) Distinctive Miss 6.

Mitavite Six Year Old Series: Jesse Linton (Hastings) Kiwi Doll, Caroline Parkes (Wairoa) Peggy Blue, Molly Bennett (Wairoa) Wanda GNZ =1.

Caledonian Amateur Rider: Caroline Parkes (Wairoa) Peggy Blue 1, Merran Hain (Gisborne) Untouchable 2, Robyn North (Cambridge) Rippa Stovell 3, Dean Morgan (Te Awamutu) FIS Outrageous 4, Dakota Phillibert (Hamilton) Velvet NZPH 5, Harvey Nelson (Havelock North) El Molino 6.

Goldengrove Stud Seven Year Old Series: Larina Dolman (Gisborne) Kiwi Lansing 1, Sean Cubitt (Cambridge) Bates Corradino 2, Lisa Cubitt (Cambridge) Mosaic II 3, Lucy Bull (Taupo) Westhay Grace 4, Nicki Booth (Masterton) Collina 5.

East Coast Performance Horses Five Year Old Series: Ashley Hart (Hastings) Kiwi Cheroline, Larina Dolman (Gisborne) Floriant DHU, Jenny Tombleson (Gisborne) Nero Bello, Will Moffett (Hastings) Kiwi Symbol, Melissa Marriner (Papakura) Big Bird and Desi Foxley (Hawke’s Bay) Johnny Dodge =1.

Canterbury Equestrian Young Rider Series: Melody Matheson (Hastings) Cheltenham 1, Briar Burnett-Grant (Taupo) Ngahiwi Telephonic 2, Emily Hayward-Morgan (Te Awamutu) AP Ninja 3, Freya Gordon (Hawke’s Bay) Leo Chocolat 4, Laura Hilhorst (Pukeatua) Piatella 5, Tessa Ranger (Putaruru) Ngahiwi Bay Indoctro 6.

Telford Junior Rider Series: Drew Carson (Putaruru) Double Shott 1, Will Moffett (Hastings) Mustang’s Edition 2, Mikayla Herbert (Rotorua) Snow Storm 3, Drew Carson (Putaruru) Sir Gandolf 4, Emily Hayward-Morgan (Te Awamutu) Yandoo Lady Gold 5, Sam Spence (Gisborne) Daring Ambition 6.

ends

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