Latest News with Show Jumping Waitemata

It couldn’t have been closer in the FEI World Cup (NZ League) Series final but finally – after a heart-stopping countback – Julie Davey can claim the nation’s top international crown.

The Hastings showjumper led coming into the Archibald & Shorter North Shore World Cup Final at the Show Jumping Waitemata hosted show, but it was tight and turned into a three horse race between Julie, Luke Dee (Havelock North) and Sophie Scott (Palmerston North).

Five came back for the second round where only Sophie aboard Benrose Stellar were clear. Behind her Julie, Luke with Gangster WW and Sophie with her second mount Waitangi Skynet all carried four faults.

In the second, a double clear from Sophie and Stellar claimed the final for the second time, while Julie cemented the series going clear to finish on four faults from the two rounds. Luke and his German import also went clear for a final tally of four faults and second place in both the series and the final.

With both Julie and Luke tied on 63 points for the series, it came down to wins, with Julie securing two and Luke just one. Sophie was a single point back for third.

Julie, who had her first World Cup start in the 1990s, was rapt with the win by her 10-year-old mare. It is her first series victory.

“It is pretty hard to win this series,” she said, “so it means a lot.”

It was also very special that Freda was following in the footsteps of her mother LT Holst Andrea who won the series in 2023-2024. “That’s really cool,” she said.

“I didn’t look at the points coming into the final but with so few qualifiers it makes it harder and the points tighter. I feel very lucky. She is a lovely horse. We have looked after her all the way through.”

Julie was a little disappointed with their cheap rail in the first round but says she didn’t panic and knew they had to be clear in the second.

“I have always wanted to win this series. It is hard and very competitive, so special to win.”

The combination also won a qualifier in Australia last year. Julie’s husband Andrew Ormond was the chief strapper but otherwise they had no groom. “I like doing my own horse . . . I wouldn’t trust anyone else with her.”

In winning the series, Julie now has the opportunity to represent New Zealand at the world final in Switzerland in April but she says they have not yet decided whether they would go.

Sophie Scott was over the moon with the efforts of both her horses. Having two in the class meant she always had to nominate her preferred mount for points, and it was something she struggled with through the series.

“It is tough when you have two horses who are jumping so well. Finally today I got it right,” said Sophie. “Benrose Stellar was amazing today. She couldn’t have been better! Waitangi Skynet was incredible too. He’s 16 but still jumps like a spring chicken.”

Luke Dee was pleased with his nine-year-old German import Gangster WW who while still a bit green had certainly proven himself in his first World Cup season.

“We’ve taken our time with him and he has grown up a lot this season. He will just continue to get better,” says Luke. “He has a very exciting future ahead.”

Luke and Gangster will head to Europe after the New Zealand season finishes.

The World Cup Final brought the curtain down on thre

Well that’s a wrap on another fantastic day at the Archibald & Shorter North Show World Cup Festival at Woodhill Sands.

International course designer Peter Holmes didn’t disappoint with his flowing courses that challenged combinations in all the right ways on simply superb footing.

They saved the best for last with the jump-off of the NZPH & A1 Equine Reproduction 7-year-old Breeders Series (sponsored by Canter for Cancer) which saw three stars of the future go head to head and the bar raised with each round.

In the end it was Jake Lambert (Cambridge) aboard Takapoto Darius – by Cassiano out of Claire – who won the day with a stunning double clear in a super time ahead of Samantha van Lierde (Cambridge) on Iconic NZPH in second and Tyla Hackett (Cambridge) with Takapoto Saffron in third.

Jake says the horse has an exciting future. “He is like a big baby and slow in maturing but has all the right qualifications for the sport. He is the most genuine and obliging horse I think I have ever ridden. He has an amazing brain and is so trainable. We have big plans for him for sure but are just taking it step by step.”

Aimee Collinson (Clevedon) was a very happy winner in the FMG Young Rider Series class (sponsored by More-Mag) aboard Be Mine NZPH. Just four combinations came back for the jump-off where Aimee was first out and knew she had to lay the challenge, which she did.

Be Mine NZPH, who is owned by Duncan and Helen McFarlane, had her first outing with Aimee in November and they’ve not looked back.

“I am so grateful for the opportunity to ride Shirl,” said Aimee, who continues to be coached and mentored by the McFarlanes. “It is so special.”

They were the only double clear of the class, with four-faulters Meg Bisset (Cambridge) on Emmaville Dontango and Aliya Berry (Tamahere) with Neo filling second and third respectively.

The Rhodes Family Cup for the horse 1.4m championship went the way of Oliver Croucher (Cambridge) aboard Scott Borland’s SB Attitude. They were one of 14 combinations from the original 23 starters to go clear in the opening round, with 10 coming back for the jump-off.

Even then, the top four were all double clear, with Oliver crossing the flags in 41.54 seconds, and Sophie Scott (Palmerston North) taking second and third with her horses Benrose Stellar and Normandy GHP.

There were plenty of “big names” in the class but Oliver says he felt confident they could give it “a good shot”.

“She can sometimes be a bit excited early in the show but seems to be taking it seriously here and I think we are clicking more now.”

Adison Hall (Waimauku) and Flaxhill La Rocco continue to make waves in their first full season of Pony Grand Prix adding another win to the trophy cabinet with victory in the AMS Saddlery Pony Grand Prix Series class (sponsored by GJ Gardner Homes).

It was a tight four strong tussle in the jump-off with both Adison and Sofia Williams (Masterton) aboard Buzzie Bees Max both double clear, but Adison’s 41.2 second effort

just snuck home ahead of Sofia’s 41.57. Regan Calder (Norsewood) and TRS Sniper had four at the last in their 44.16 second round for third.

Paula Mussen (Pukekohe) added another Brave Pants Pro Am Series win to her tally with Déjà vu NZPH in the Burmester Realty sponsored class. Six came through to the jump-off where the top three all kept clean slates. Paula and Déjà vu NZPH flew round in 45.96 seconds&

Show Jumping Waitemata are calling for an end to riders having to compete in light coloured breeches or jodhpurs.

Chair Emma Buckingham says it is time to ditch the archaic ruling, with Waitemata Area tabling a remit to ESNZ Jumping and Show Hunter at the AGM. “There is so much research out there that highlights the need for that change,” she says. “Other sports like gymnastics, tennis, football and others have made the move – what is holding jumping back?”