Fitzsimon wins third FEI World Cup series

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Tegan Fitzsimon has won her third FEI World Cup (NZ League) Series after a nail-biting victory in the final in Hawera on Saturday.

The West Melton rider steered Windermere Cappuccino to double clear over the Gary Sinclair-designed course at the Taranaki Equestrian Jumping World Cup Final Show.

Hot on her heels was Palmerston North's Sophie Scott, who was second on Waitangi Skynet and third on Glenbrooke Rich as Roses.

Twelve combinations started the final with just Fitzsimon and Scott (in her first season of World Cup events), on Waitangi Skynet, completing with zero faults. While Melody Matheson (Havelock North) and Cortaflex Enya MH jumped clear, they picked up two time faults.

Ten combinations came back for the second round, where clears came from Scott and both her mounts, Vicki Prendergast (Matamata) on her homebred Selena C, and two-time final winner Brooke Edgecombe (Waipukurau) on LT Holst Andrea. However, all but Fitzsimon and 20-year-old Scott on Waitangi Skynet carried penalties from the first round.

Running in reverse order, it came down to the wire. Fitzsimon had to go double clear and faster than Scott's 58.34-second effort to win the final.

Fitzsimon came out firing, and they crossed the flags in 57.46 seconds.

The win gave Fitzsimon, 31, a perfect score in the series, which counts a combination's best four finishes, with four victories from five starts.

Windermere Cappuccino was out with injury for last season's final, making this year's win all the more special, Fitzsimon said.

“I am so thankful to have the ride on him and share joint ownership with the Parkes family.”

The winning combination of the series has the opportunity to represent New Zealand at the final in Leipzig, Germany, in April — should it go ahead.

The World Cup series is the highest-ranked international competition in New Zealand.

POLi Payments FEI World Cup (NZ League) Final: Tegan Fitzsimon (West Melton) Windermere Cappuccino 1, Sophie Scott (Palmerston North) Waitangi Skynet 2, Sophie Scott (Palmerston North)Glenbrooke Rich as Roses 3, Vicki Prendergast (Matamata) Selena C 4, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) Central Park 5, Melody Matheson (Havelock North) Cortaflex Enya MH 6.

POLi Payments FEI World Cup (NZ League) Series (best four to count): Tegan Fitzsimon (West Melton) 90 points 1, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) 68pts 2, Sophie Scott (Palmerston North) 64pts 3.