Grand prix win on pony that ‘could jump the moon’

clear air: Napier's Tessa Mason and Mr Acho fly over a jump on their way to winning the Pony Grand Prix at the Larsen Sawmilling Jumping and Show Hunter Championships in Gisborne on Sunday. It was only the second start at this level for 11-year-old Tessa and they were the only combination to record a double clear. Picture by Paul Rickard

HAWKE'S Bay's Tessa Mason achieved the only double clear of the Country TV Pony Grand Prix at the Larsen Sawmilling Jumping and Show Hunter Championships to secure victory in just her second start at that level.

The pint-sized 11-year-old from Napier steered Mr Acho to a popular win over a sometimes testing course, leaving other more experienced combinations languishing in her wake.

Eleven combinations started the class and six on four faults or less progressed to the second round.

Only Tessa and Keira Page (Auckland), aboard Redcliffs Colour Me In, went clear in the opening round. The remaining qualifiers each incurred four faults.

Clear rides were more forthcoming in the second round.

As well as Tessa, Phoebe Howson (Napier) and Aorangi Ragtime, Lily Moore (Poukawa) on former Pony of the Year Fun House and Shanae Savannah (Silverdale) on Tiger Tale LS jumped flawlessly to remain on four faults.

Places second to fifth were all on four faults, so rankings were decided by time.

Phoebe was second in 48.64 seconds, Lily third in 54.07, Keira fourth in 54.42 and Shanae fifth in 59.8.

Annie Moffett (Napier) and Piripiri were sixth on eight faults.

Tessa inherited Mr Acho three years ago from sister Ruby, who enjoyed plenty of success aboard him.

“I knew I just had to ride the course and trust him. I knew he would jump it,” said the Sally Clark-trained youngster. “He could jump the moon, you know.”

The win was special for Tessa.

“I feel like I am following my sister Ruby's footsteps but she was 13 when she first started jumping grand prix, and I am only 11, so it is a big achievement for me.”

Tessa feels like she has been jumping “forever” and loves nothing more than to be on her pony sailing over obstacles.

“He's really cool,” she says of Mr Acho. “Although he can be an angry pony, he has a great personality. I love him.”

Tessa and Mr Acho were late entries, deciding to compete in the grand prix to give them more starts before the Horse of the Year Show in March.

More on the champs, pages 30-31