Exceptional performances in Hawke's Bay

Horse of the year memory: Anna Spence and Brecon Bach Seal had a show to remember in Hawke’s Bay. Picture by Karen Bevitt

Gisborne equestrians performed exceptionally well at the Horse of the Year show in Hastings this month, with several horse of the year titles coming to Gisborne.

Larina Dolman and her one-in-a-million horse Kiwi Lansing finished off an amazing year with a win in the hotly contested Pro Amateur Rider of the Year. Larina has had an amazing season in which she has also won the Harrison Lane Pro Amateur National Series.

Sarah Gault and thoroughbred mare Ultra Velvet (owned by Shirley Collie from Cambridge) had a very successful time in the sidesaddle section. They were first in the concours d'elegance, first in the best-presented, second in the sidesaddle rider and second in the sidesaddle horse, and won the award for the champion sidesaddle horse of the year.

Anna Spence and Brecon Bach Seal (owned by Karen Bevitt), competing at their first Horse of the Year show, made it one to remember when they won the Purebred Welsh First Ridden Pony of the Year.

Merran Hain's indomitable 19-year-old thoroughbred Untouchable, ridden by Hawke's Bay rider Luke Dee (formerly of Gisborne), had a successful time in the working hunter section, taking first place in the hunter jump, first in the working hunter over 148cm and fourth place in the wire jump, and coming away with the working hunter of the year title.

Hain rode Untouchable with considerable success in the national show hunter series which concluded at the Horse of the Year. The combination won the NRM National High Points and were second in the Ultimate Egg Company Amateur Rider series.

Mandy Macpherson and Frieden Star proved they are a combination to watch in the future. They took second place in the four-year-old dressage horse and the accolades for reserve champion Level 1 horse of the year.

Henrike Puketapu and RM Limbo were placed third in the Prestige Equestrian Futures Series for dressage.

Shelagh Nolan and Ngahiwi Eyeza Blue were placed third in the amateur showjump rider of the year.

Olivia Briant and Jubilee Silver Wings competed in the showing section and were placed fifth in the paced and mannered saddle hunter pony over 138cm and not exceeding 148cm. They were also second in the Pony Society ridden pony over 138cm and not exceeding 148cm.

Harriet Savage and her homebred pony Capriola Storm were competing at their last showing outing together and placed fifth in the paced and mannered show pony of the year over 138cm and not exceeding 148cm. Receiving a placing in this title class was a lovely ending to this successful partnership.

Lily Beaufoy and Jakaranda (owned by Mick and Suzy Gardner) had a show to remember when they were placed 10th in the pony of the year — an amazing effort for a combination that have been together for only a short time. They were also fourth in a pony 1.20m showjumping class.

Isobel Bevitt and Buffalo Man finished the season with a fifth placing in the National Cartown Category A High Points Series. With Mr Monochrome, she was placed sixth in the 1.05m showjumping.

Lidy Loffler and her lovely homebred horse Parafino were placed third in the 1.10-1.20m amateur rider qualifier.

Ella Rouse and Ruby Tunes were fifth in the Category B 80cm show hunter.

Jessica McCann, 14, picked up a sixth placing in the showjumping pony 1.15m with Galaxy Knight In. She and Saltire Solar Flare were third in the open pony hunter over fences.

Two Eye See, owned by Mick Gardner and ridden by Robert Steele of Dannevirke, was placed sixth in two 1.35m showjumping classes.