Top placings make trek worthwhile

ALL CLEAR: Vicki Ridley and Mosaic II clear a jump on their way to first place in the NZL FEI World Jumping Challenge at the Show yesterday. Picture by Paul Rickard

The trek from Auckland to Gisborne for the Poverty Bay A&P Show was worth it for Vicki Ridley and Olivia Dalton, who were first and second in the NZL FEI World Jumping Challenge.

In this global competition, riders jump a course designed by Guilherme Jorge, of Brazil, and the results are tallied to find the best for the world final. The competition is also a qualifier for the 2018 Youth Olympics.

Sixteen combinations started the two-round Category A competition, with five clear in the first round, and two sitting on a single time fault. The second round sorted the field, and there were just two double-clears — Ridley aboard Mosaic II in 60.21 seconds and Dalton on the imported Bling du Rouet in 60.23 seconds.

Ridley was rapt with the win.

“It was a nice tight course out there and the footing is just beautiful,” she said.

Ridley usually competes in the pro amateur series but opted for the world challenge instead.

“I knew I had to be clear and fast in that second round.”

Mosaic is a 10-year-old thoroughbred by Postponed. Ridley teamed up with him in 2016.

“He’s a pretty easy ride,” Ridley said. “I thought we had a chance today . . . he’s a very good little horse.”

It is Dalton’s first time to Gisborne and she came specifically for the World Challenge, with the Youth Olympics very much in her mind.

“I really want to go to the Youth Olympics,” said the 15-year-old, who earned qualification yesterday.

Dalton imported Bling as an eight-year-old stallion but they gelded him almost immediately, despite his lovely nature.

“He is a real smoocher, though,” she said of the nine-year-old sportaloosa warmblood.

Dalton is the daughter of world-class sailor Grant, who reclaimed the America’s Cup for New Zealand. It’s fair to say she has inherited more than just a little of his competitive and determined nature.

“I really enjoyed it out there,” she said of her world challenge class. “That smaller arena really suits Bling. We were going as fast as we could in that second round — he did hit one and I saw it roll out of the cup and then go back in.”

The competition now moves to Hawke’s Bay and then on to Wairarapa, with the best two results counting for each rider.

The Category B competition was won by Rebecca Porter (Hastings) and her 21-year-old horse Mr Harrison.

“He just loves it,” she said. “We cut some corners and he has quite a long stride so covers the ground well. He’s a real dude. He’ll let us know when it is time for him to retire . . . but it isn’t just yet.”