Premier Festival Toasted by all
Premier Festival Toasted by all
The curtain has come down on another brilliant Giltrap Audi Premier Jumping Festival. Riders, supporters and spectators alike were happy to be back at one of the country’s most appreciated shows. It’s been two days of excellent competition, with thousands of dollars raised for the Breast Cancer Foundation.
It was – finally – back to the winner’s circle for Samantha van Lierde and Cadillac NZPH who have had a tumultuous two years as the Cambridge horsewoman has worked to recover from a severe head injury.
It was a magical finish today for them as they took out the Giltrap Horse 1.4m Classic in style, heading the field home with a double clear, and the odd tear to celebrate.
Shelley Ross and her thoroughbred Red for Now fittingly won the Sponsors’ Charity Challenge novelty class. The former owner of Woodhill Sands was riding for Tony Bult’s T&M Nurseries. More than $13,000 and mounting was raised for the Breast Cancer Foundation – the charity of choice for hosts Show Jumping Waitemata and very dear to their hearts. While much was raised during the very entertaining class, donations continued to flow into the office afterwards.
Edward Bullock managed to juggle riding and course designing to have a very successful day, winning the Matthews Hanoverians Seven-Year-Old Series class aboard Kiwi Sundance while his niece Abi Lonergan won the Morgan Coakle Lawyers Intro Pony Children’s 75cm Championship and the Intro Pony 70cm with Little Romeo. Edward was also second in the Sponsors’ Charity class aboard Weiti Pogo.
Meanwhile, Sophia Blackbourn and her big-striding Corofino II mare Roxette ECPH made short work of the jump-off in the Kumeu Village Rest Homes 1.3m-1.35m. Sophia was over the moon with the efforts of her speedy bay. “I am just so happy for the win,” she says. “She was amazing out there.”
Show Jumping Waitemata chair Emma Buckingham extended a huge thank you to all who had contributed to the show. “There is so much that goes into putting on an event like this and it just doesn’t happen without the support of our volunteers, sponsors, riders and everyone who comes along.”
The weather had certainly been challenging, with the committee having to shift competition off their beautiful grass arena, but a quick pivot saw everything run smoothly in their three sand arenas.
True to form, the grounds, High Tea Marquee and courses were all beautifully decorated with no effort spared.
“We had to miss a year due to COVID and I think we are all just so happy to have been able to get back on track with this very popular show,” said Emma.