GREAT START: Tauranga show jumper Sam Morrison and Biarritz are the surprise leaders after round one of the Ultra-Mox FEI World Cup New Zealand series held on Saturday. PHOTO/FILE
Tauranga show jumper Sam Morrison and her 10-year-old New Zealand-bred gelding, Biarritz, made the biggest leap in their three year partnership at the opening round of the Ultra-Mox FEI World Cup New Zealand series on Saturday.
Morrison, 20, beat a high quality field in New Zealand's highest-ranked showjumping competition, including
two Olympians and two previous series winners, at the Hawke's Bay A&P Show in Hastings.
But it nearly did not happen as it was only a last-minute change of heart from Morrison to step up to the bigger world cup fences (up to 1.6m) from the Young Rider series (1.45m) she had been competing in with great success this year. She was one of four riders who competed for New Zealand's Young Riders against Australia in Sydney from October 3 to 5.
"I didn't know if we were ready for the higher heights but I thought I would take a chance and try to see what happens," Morrison said. "This event is very important because it is the highest possible event you can compete at in New Zealand. It was a big achievement and is basically a big step up from Young Riders. I was just hoping to have a nice round, to jump around and see that me and my horse could handle that height and that level. I didn't expect to win it at all. My horse just took it really well and we ended up winning. It was awesome.
"(Biarritz) is the first progeny of his sire, Lindberg des Hayettes, to compete in New Zealand at that level. This shows my horse can compete at the top level here and possibly go further overseas."
