Brougham edges nearer Rio with top display

Vanessa Way (right).

Dressage rider Julie Brougham took a huge step towards Rio yesterday after victory in the CDI FEI Grand Prix and notching what is believed to be a New Zealand record at the Horse of the Year Show in Hastings.

The Manawatu mum and her showy German import Vom Feinsten performed to a captivated crowd at the Farmlands-sponsored show, scoring 70.745 per cent and bagging the last of five marks required making them eligible for selection for the Rio Olympics.

Later this month she and Vom Feinsten fly to Europe where they will be based with Ton de Ridder in Aachen, Germany, and continue their campaign to secure the single spot available for New Zealand at Rio.

"I am just thrilled," said Brougham. "Getting that last mark takes the pressure off us. That was his best grand prix and I am so pleased New Zealanders got to see the kind of work he has been doing in Australia this season. Today I just had to think passage and he did it - he felt confident and comfortable. It was very fluent and harmonious with plenty of energy."

The combination are defending their Dressage Horse of the Year crown and will compete in the CDI FEI grand prix special, followed by the freestyle to music tomorrow.

"I am looking forward to the special tomorrow," she said. "It is a test that usually suits him."

Her biggest competition for the overall title and the berth to Rio comes from John Thompson (Hamilton) and JHT Antonello who finished second to them, with 69.766 per cent.

Vanessa Way (Taranaki) had a brilliant day winning the Level 2 horse of the year aboard NSC Pronto, level 3 horse of the year on NRM Andreas and level 4 horse of the year on NRM KH Arion.

All three horses also hold the North Island and National Championship titles.

"This is my magic year," Way said.

• Virbac Equine CDI FEI grand prix: Julie Brougham (Palmerston North) Vom Feinsten 70.447% 1, John Thompson (Hamilton) JHT Antonello 69.766% 2, Wendi Williamson (Kumeu) Dejavu MH 67.553% 3, Abbie Deken (Taranaki) KH Ambrose 67.638% 4, Anya Noble (Cambridge) Airthrey Highlander 64.234% 5, Jody Hartstone (Raglan) Ali Baba 64.213% 6.

• Level 1 horse of the year: Karla Tarr (Auckland) Kinnordy Ravel 1, Elisha Wade (Waipawa) Donneregal 2, Jane Olsson (Christchurch) Astek Georgia 3, Kathryn Corry (Te Kuiti) Anuschka PSH 4, Tania Smith (New Plymouth) Donnerbella II 5, Amanda Berridge (Cambridge) Glamorgan By Design 6.

• Level 2 horse of the year: Vanessa Way (Taranaki) NSC Pronto 1, Debbie Barke (Rotorua) RM Limbo 2, Holly Leach (Hamilton) HP Fresco 3, Rebecca Rowlands (Christchurch) Solo 4, Alix Campbell (Albany) Astek Robina 5, Willa Aitken (Waipawa) Alpha Beta 6.

• Level 3 horse of the year: Vanessa Way (Taranaki) NRM Andreas 1.

• Level 4 horse of the year: Vanessa Way (Taranaki) NRM KH Arion 1, Sharlene Royal (Greenhithe) Sonic Spirit 2, Christine Weal (Te Awamutu) Stoneylea Lord Locksely 3, Jutta Rosenblatt (Wanganui) Volrath Lauretta 4, Mihi Shepherd (Whangarei) Hot Chocolate MH 5, Lauren Haig (Darfield) Grandioso BH 6.

• Level 5 horse of the year: Sophie de Clifford (Matamata) Ashanti 1, Tessa Van Bruggen (Blenheim) Fortunato 2, Julie Flintoff (Kaikohe) Belladonna MH 3, Lucarne Dolley (Kumeu) Sansibar 4, Sharlene Royal (Greenhithe) New World Frankie J 5, Janelle Sangster-Ward (Marlborough) Dunstan Astek Ghisella 6.

• Level 1 pony of the year: Brooke Manak (Auckland) My Questionnaire 1, Grace Farrell (Pukekohe) Almost Legal 2, Laura Neal (Wellington) Ab Salute 3, Olivia Montgomery (Pukekohe) Waimeha Tayza 4, Madeleine Orsbourn (Albany) Despicable Me 5, Alison Addis (Papakura) Golden Halo RV 6.

• Level 2 pony of the year: Isabella Chatfield (Tauranga) Prima Bella 1, Rebecca Aplin (Dannevirke) Woodlands Park Light O Day 2, Olivia Robinson (Hamilton) Ngahere Romeo 3, Antonia Verissimo (Pukekohe) Picture Me Painted 4, Georgia Allison (Oxford) Mr Champagne Charlie 5, Maddy Meier (Hawera) Giovanni 6.

• Level 3 pony of the year: Lilly Jefferies (Wellington) Prima Magneto 1, Amy Vujcich (Pukeatua) Aschbrooke Bobby Dazzler 2, Anna Cole (Taranaki) Dipped in Silver 3, Sarah Scott (Whangarei) Thumbellina II 4, Tayla McDonald (Opotiki) North East 5, Isadora Lamb (Westmere) Miss Maddison 6.