Cubitt and King Cobra Take 1.4m

Great mates face off ...

CAPTIONS - Lisa Cubitt (Cambridge) and Cobra de Capello en route to another solid win, and (below) Cubitt with second-placed Tess Clark (Gisborne) aboard Sinatra II. Photos by Cheleken Photography 

Cubitt and King Cobra Take 1.4m

It was all a bit of a reunion in the main arena at the Continental Cars Audi World Cup Festival today for the prize giving of the Thoroughbred Floats 1.4m Classic.

Leading the way was Lisa Cubitt (Cambridge) who won the class aboard former eventer Cobra de Capello after an exciting jump-off with long time mate Tess Clark (Gisborne) on Sinatra II, with the ‘third musketeer’ Katie Laurie (Mystery Creek) and Cera Caruso rounding out the top three.

Twenty-two started the class but just Cubitt and Clark mastered the Gerrit Beker-designed course. Eight bagged four faults, with times deciding the minor placings.

Clark was first out in the jump-off and set the pace at 41.9 seconds. Cubitt threw everything at it and despite giving the final fence a good whack, came home clear in 37.49 seconds.

These two have ridden against each other “forever”, but it has been a few years since they and Laurie have been in a line-up together.

Cobra de Capello (owned by Rolf Masfen) came from England to Australia as an eventer, and did a few 2* events with Olympian Stuart Tinney. Then he came to New Zealand to start his Kiwi eventing career but in late November joined Team Cubitt Sporthorses.

His first outing was win in a 1.3m, followed by a 1.4m victory at the Christmas Classic. He also won the Burmester Realty Training 1.2m-1.3m Horse Welcome class yesterday.

Understandably the Cubitts think the 10-year-old is “one very special” showjumper.

“He is a lovely horse,” said 32-year-old Cubitt. “That was such a great class – it is the first time me, Tess and Katie have been in a line-up like that for years.”

This is just Cubitt’s third show with the horse.

“I don’t know him very well but I do know he is careful and scopey,” she said. “Tess was very quick out there – I am surprised I caught her.”

Cubitt and Clark rode back into the arena together for the prize giving, with the latter saying she was more than happy to finish second to Cubitt “anytime”.

Cubitt doesn’t figure the horse, who is for sale, will be with them long.

“He’s got a huge future,” says Cubitt’s husband Sean. “Certainly one of the best we’ve had in the stable.”

The couple with their son Finn moved back to New Zealand in June last year after two years working in Australia and Europe and are now based in Cambridge – very happy to be home.

Results –

Thoroughbred Floats 1.4m Classic: Lisa Cubitt (Cambridge) Cobra de Capello 1, Tess Clark (Gisborne) Sinatra II 2, Katie Laurie (Australia) Cera Caruso 3, Tom Tarver-Priebe (Hawera) Popeye 4, Samantha Morrison (Tauranga) Frangipanne de Toxandria 5, Danielle Maurer (Kaukapakapa) Dicavalli Don Quattro 6.

ends