Magner times it well

TOP YOUNG RIDER: Todd Magner, on Awatuna Jonesy, was crowned North Island Young Rider of the Year in Gisborne.Picture by Paul Rickard

EQUESTRIAN

IT was the perfect time for everything to come together. That’s the word from the newly crowned North Island Young Rider of the Year, Todd Magner, who headed home a competitive 12-strong field to take the honours at the Larsen Sawmilling North Island Jumping and Show Hunter Championships in Gisborne at the weekend.

The Hokitika 20-year-old, who has based himself in Cambridge for the summer for easier access to jumping competitions, and Awatuna Jonesy were the first of five combinations to go in the jump-off over the Heather McDonald-designed course.

Magner and his station-bred, warmblood-cross Clydie were deceptively fast, coming home clear in 38.94 seconds and laying the challenge for the rest of the field.

Three combinations gave it their best but couldn’t crack the 39-second mark. Then came Ally Carson (Putaruru) and Letano — the last combination to go. In their usual form, they threw everything at it but paid for their sliding inside turn into the second-to-last fence with a fallen rail. While the clock stopped at 37.6 seconds, they had four faults against their names, giving Magner the win. Emily Hayward (Te Awamutu) and Yandoo Lady Gold were second, all clear in 39.31, and Oliver Croucher (Cambridge), on Waitangi Surf, also went clear in 39.67.

Magner was rapt: “He is a super-talented horse but lately I have been mucking it up so it is great to get it right at the North Island champs.”

The 11-year-old gelding is owned by Penny Jones, who was Magner’s Pony Club coach and breeder of the horse.

“Penny is the reason I ride, really,” he said.

Magner has known the horse for most of both their lives and this is their fourth season competing together.

“He is very light on his feet for what he is,” Magner said.

This was their first win of the season and it was a biggie . . . “This is pretty up there when it comes to wins.”

Magner will soon head back south to continue his agricultural commerce studies at Lincoln University.

Farmers Air and FMG North Island Young Rider: Todd Magner (Cambridge) Awatuna Jonesy 1, Emily Hayward (Te Awamutu) Yandoo Lady Gold 2, Oliver Croucher (Cambridge) Waitangi Surf 3, Ally Carson (Putaruru) Letano 4, Olivia Dalton (Karaka) Cil Dara Bonaparte 5, Emelia Forsyth (Clevedon) Henton Faberge 6.