Journey of recovery

GUTSY COMBO: Isobel Jayne Bevitt and Fire Bandit have come back from a horrific fall to finish second in the Pony Grand Prix at the Poverty Bay A&P Show on Saturday. Isobel Jayne suffered severe facial injuries and fractures when she and Fire Bandit fell off the side of a hill last year. The Pony Grand Prix was won by Napier's Tess Mason and Mr Acho Picture by Paul Rickard

Second was as good as first for local rider Isobel Jayne Bevitt, who was one of only two riders to progress to the jump-off in the Pony Grand Prix class on the final day of the Poverty Bay A&P Show.

Aboard Fire Bandit, in their first-ever Pony Grand Prix start, Isobel Jayne produced a clear round in the all-important jump-off, but the combo were just over three seconds slower than seasoned competitor Tess Mason (Napier) and her well-performed Mr Acho.

Gisborne's Jess McCann and Lay Z Lad were third with an eight-fault round in the opener.

Lucy Hill (Gisborne) and Mount Tullock Encore were sixth.

That Isobel Jayne and Fire Bandit were on the start list was a huge accomplishment in itself.

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Just 18 months ago they fell off the side of a hill near the family farm at Ngatapa and 13-year-old Isobel Jayne suffered severe facial injuries and multiple fractures.

She was airlifted to Waikato and spent two weeks in hospital.

Her pony also needed time to recover.

“They're both lucky to be alive,” said mother Karen. “This really is a major comeback for them both.”

“Today I just wanted to get around and have some fun,” said Isobel Jayne, who thanked her brother Oliver for shoeing her pony.

Oliver was with Isobel Jayne during last year's accident. He treated her at the scene, alerted help and was a rock for the family during her hospitalisation and recovery to get to Saturday's point.

Isobel Jayne admitted she was so nervous she almost pulled the pin on the jump-off.

“I am so happy I did it. He is amazing. I just love his jump and he tries so hard.”

The combination picked up four faults in the opening round at the problematic fence number three.

In the jump-off, fence two almost proved Fire Bandit's undoing. A refusal looked certain but somehow Isobel Jayne managed to get the pony over without a rail falling.

“He doesn't like planks and thick fillers and he could see the crowd behind.”

Isobel Jayne is coached by her mum and Vicky Wilson.

The jump-off was a four-fault affair due to no clear rounds in the opener.

Tess's experience showed as she completed the jump-off in 46.2 seconds to Bevitt's 49.53.

“We've always gone great at this show,” said Tess, who is coached by Sally Clark.

“I feel so incredibly lucky to have this pony. We had a bit of a rough end to last season so I was pretty nervous going into this one, which is just our second of the season. I am stoked for the win.”

The 18-year-old pony was previously ridden by Tess's sister and this is likely to be their last season together.