A champion Gypsy

THE SMILE SAYS IT ALL: Vicki Knight and Celtic Rose, supreme champion horse of the Gisborne Show, with judges (from left) John Kennedy, Fiona King, Anna Paratene and Neil MacKenzie-Hall. Picture by Paul Rickard

WHAKATANE mum Vicki Knight was stoked to win champion saddle hunter, but she and her East Coast-bred Celtic Rose went on to do even better, winning supreme champion horse of the Gisborne Show.

There’s a special story behind the big coloured six-year-old mare who was bred by former Tolaga Bay couple Kay and Peter McKenzie, who now live in Weber, near Dannevirke.

“She had been for sale for about six months, but people don’t seem to like to travel to look at horses, so I was going to ride her and get her out and about,” Knight said.

But as soon as Knight, 41, got on her last year, she knew the horse she calls Gypsy was something special and ended up buying her.

Celtic Rose is not the first horse Knight has bought from the McKenzies either — she also owns My Lulu, who placed in the show hunter classes at the Gisborne Show.

Knight’s husband Richard was pleased she had come to Gisborne with only a two-horse float, limiting the chances of her buying another McKenzie-bred horse for their four-hectare lifestyle block.

Not sure of a winKnight wasn’t convinced she would win the supreme award at Gisborne.

“We joked about wanting to win a green ribbon, but had no idea the supreme was going to be green.

“It is anyone’s on the day,” she said of the supreme line-up.

“They are all champions and it comes down to the four judges’ opinions. I just try to present my horse to the best of her ability.

“Winning the champion saddle hunter title was amazing . . . this is a huge bonus. She was fantastic out there and listened to everything I asked of her. I couldn’t ask any more of her and she’s still young.”

Knight says the coloured horse, possibly the first coloured to win the supreme title, has a lovely nature and is never rattled. They do dressage, showjumping and show hunter classes together as well. The Kawerau budget advisor trains with Sally Isaac.

She has been coming to the Gisborne Show for six years and has done well before. Two years ago she and her thoroughbred Classique won champion hack.

“I love this show,” Knight said. “It is a great show for horses because it is so busy and has a great atmosphere.”

Breeder Kay McKenzie was rapt.

“I am so proud of them both,” she said. “Gypsy has a wonderful future with Vicki.”

Gypsy is three-eighths Clydesdale. She is by Commando Warrior, who is owned by Lou Maultsaid (Wairoa) and out of 20-year-old Rosie, who is just about to have her last foal, her fifth by Commando Warrior.