Gisborne debut one to remember

DOUBLE CLEAR: Emma Noble-Campbell won the North Island Pony Grand Prix on Whakapirau Cherry Ripe in Gisborne. Picture by Paul Rickard

EQUESTRIAN

Emma Noble-Campbell made sure her debut at the Larsen Sawmilling North Island Jumping and Show Hunter Championships was one to remember.

The Tuakau 15-year-old and Whakapirau Cherry Ripe were the only double-clears in the 11-strong East Coast Wools and Country TV North Island Pony Grand Prix on the final day of competition in the championships.

Six came back for the second round, where runner-up Tyla Hackett (Waiuku) and The Dreamer also went clear but were carrying four faults from the previous round.

Emma was last to go in the jump-off and her focus was on a double-clear.

“The plan coming into the class was to go clear in the first and then in the jump-off,” she said.

“I watched everyone go and knew I just needed to be clear, so went for a careful round.”

It was Emma’s sixth grand prix start on a gelding she has carefully prepared for the past six and a half years. Rusty, as the horse is known at home, has done a little of everything but Emma’s focus is now showjumping.

It was a special win, too, as she had come to the Gisborne champs for the first time because her ancestors had farmed in this district for generations.

She was full of praise for her showy chestnut.

“He is so honest and has such a big heart,” Emma said.

“I didn’t think we would win a title. It is huge for us — just amazing, especially when you consider we don’t have a lot of experience.” The two have been competing in jumping for four years.

The three-day championships were held in typically hot East Coast weather on ground that riders said was near perfect, with many praising the efforts of the organising committee.

East Coast Wools and Country TV North Island Pony Grand Prix: Emma Noble-Campbell (Tuakau) Whakapirau Cherry Ripe 1, Tyla Hackett (Waiuku) The Dreamer 2, Katie Bridgeman (Auckland) Tallyho Scoundrel 3, Rylee Sheehan (Te Aroha) Tony the Pony 4, Lucy Buchanan (Hastings) Redcliffs Colour Me Quick 5, Maddison Greatorex (Waipu) Spotified 6.