Edward Bullock and Kiwi Sundance receive the champion's ribbon from John Larsen and Kirsty Mackintosh (Property Brokers Gisborne) after winning the Horse Grand Prix - the premier showjumping title. Photo / Diana Dobson-Black Balloon
Edward Bullock and Kiwi Sundance receive the champion's ribbon from John Larsen and Kirsty Mackintosh (Property Brokers Gisborne) after winning the Horse Grand Prix - the premier showjumping title. Photo / Diana Dobson-Black Balloon
As Edward Bullock crossed the finish flags in the Larsen Sawmilling Equestrian Championship’s Property Brokers Horse Grand Prix he wasn’t sure he had done enough to win, but wasn’t worried either way.
Bullock would have been happy with first or second.
As it turned out, the Waiuku course designer sliced1.02 seconds off the time of the only other clear performance in the second round of the class (defending champion Oliver Edgecombe) to win the $1000 first prize and much-coveted Larsen Sawmilling garden chair.
It rounded out an excellent three days of competition at Gisborne’s Showgrounds Park venue that included New Zealand once again winning the Trans-Tasman Teams’ Challenge and local rider Georgie Coop claiming the AMS Saddlery Pony Grand Prix Series (in conjunction with East Coast Wools) aboard the nippy Barney Rubble.
International course designer Peter Holmes’ creativity produced plenty of thrilling performances in near perfect footing, much to the delight of riders and spectators.
Ten started the two-round Horse Grand Prix and six came back.
Bullock, aboard 9-year-old Kiwi Sundance, and Edgecombe (Waipukurau), on Takapoto Tinka, went clear in both rounds, so the title was decided by which of them had the fastest time in the second round.
Tristan Thomas (Rerewhakaaitu) and his plucky wee mare Matai Zarite went clear in round 2 but had four faults in round 1, so placed third.
Bullock, who designed courses in ring 2 for the show, was ecstatic.
“I love Gisborne, but he [Kiwi Sundance] loves it more.”
Australian Tanner Robinson, aboard local horse Central City, which jointly won the Matthews Hanoverians best-performed horse. Photo / Paul Rickard
It was their seventh Grand Prix start and Bullock’s first win at that level in more than a decade.
“There were some very good horses and riders in that class. I am just excited for the horse and his potential. He is very careful and brave while at the same time being athletic ... but he’s not without his quirks.”
Bullock said he was quietly confident they could do well in the second round because the horse was quick and athletic.
“I think I made it [time] up between the double, the wall and the vertical where I cut the corners a bit tighter than Oliver did.”
Bullock has been coming to Gisborne to compete and design courses for many years.
“It’s a great show and I have made so many wonderful friends here over the years.”
The Pony Grand Prix was a compact affair with Georgie Coop’s win highlighting an excellent day for the family.
Mum Caroline is chair of show hosts ESNZ Gisborne Area Equestrian and the family were joint winners of the best-performed horse (the home-bred hunter Central City) in the Trans-Tasman Teams’ Challenge held over the three days of the show.
Coop, who had an excellent day across the showjumping and show hunter arenas, was last to go in the Pony Grand Prix. Ahead of her, no one had gone clear and while she didn’t quite manage that, thanks to one pesky rail, she did enough for the win aboard the Henry and Sofia Gaddum-owned Barney Rubble.
She has had the 11-year-old pony for three seasons and the pair only did their first Grand Prix together at the Gisborne A&P Show in October last year.
This was their first win in their fourth start at GP level.
“The plan was just to keep cool and get around,” said the 13-year-old, who rated the course “technical but good”.
“I do love Rubble’s personality; how he jumps and his cute little face.”
Coop has been competing at the show since she was 7 and has enjoyed plenty of success over the years.
New Zealand team member Emma Gillies on Double J - the joint winner of the best-performed horse in the Trans-Tasman Teams' Challenge. Photo / Diana Dobson-Black Balloon
The Kiwis finished the Trans-Tasman Teams’ Challenge in the best way possible.
Superb efforts saw them pick up two bonus points for the two rounds on the final day of competition and successfully defend the crown.
It was their third consecutive win.
The New Zealanders finished on 17 points, thanks to three wins and two bonus points, while the Australians scored nine.
The teams were tied on points on the Saturday, requiring a jump-off, which was won by the hosts.
While the points appear a little one-sided, both teams rode incredibly well on borrowed horses swapped throughout the challenge.
The stand-out New Zealand rider was Johanna Wylaars (Christchurch), who had four clear rounds over the three days.
The final day featured double clear rounds from Emma Gillies (Oamaru) and Penny Borthwick (Masterton), while Tara Gower (Cambridge) and Wylaars each had one clear round.
The Matthews Hanoverians’ prize for the best-performed horse over the three days was shared between Double J Image, owned by Tara Gower, and the Coop family’s Central City.
Easts Outdoor Trans-Tasman Teams’ Challenge: New Zealand 17 Australia 9.
AMS Saddlery Pony Grand Prix Series (in conjunction with East Coast Wools): Georgie Coop (Gisborne), Barney Rubble, 1; Lottie Bull (Atiamuri), Rascal Flatts OS, 2; Lily Kent (Waipawa), Jonesy, 3.
