Fitzsimon defends show jump crown
Canterbury’s Tegan Fitzsimon expertly rode superstar horse Windermere Cappuccino to a second consecutive national show jumping title in perfect conditions in Christchurch.
An enthusiastic crowd was treated to ideal weather and some excellent performances, but Windermere Cappucino again occupied centre stage with two clear rounds on Sunday.
The national title competitions are run over five rounds during the four-day show and yet it came down to the very last jump in the fifth and final round.
The leader board had changed after each of the four previous rounds with Fitzsimon emerging the leader at the end of the fourth.
The pressure was therefore on her for the last round, with no room for error.
Wellington’s Sophie Scott and Lakota had just jumped a clear round in the fifth round, so Fitzsimon, who was last to go, knew she had to deliver another clear to win. If she had a rail, the title would have gone to her rival.
Fitzsimon and Windermere Cappucino – known as Vollie – certainly did deliver, never looking like faulting as they defended their title.
‘‘It certainly was a tight competition,’’ Fitzsimon said.
‘‘There was a bit of pressure on going into the last round but Vollie pushed on. He is just phenomenal.
‘‘He gives me 110 per cent each time and I am so grateful to have the ride on him and still have him with me.’’
The Open Pony Championship was also a top competition with a great family tussle between Oamaru’s Emma Gillies and her older sister, Samantha, but it was Emma who got the upper hand ton Sunday on Benrose Playtime.
‘‘It feels pretty amazing,’’ Emma Gillies said.
‘‘I’ve never done this height before. Last year I didn’t get a whole season in so it is pretty awesome to be able to do this. There was a fair bit of competition going on.’’
Gillies some local shows to look forward to before heading up to the Horse of the Year show in March in Hawkes Bay.
Canterbury rider Katie Meredith had an excellent show, winning three titles, including the National Rising Star Championship in the show hunter arena and the five-year-old title yesterday, but it was the win in the June Cresswell NZ National 1.30m Horse Championship on Westgrove GNZ yesterday which bought out the emotions.
‘‘I am so lucky to have this horse,’’ Meredith said.
‘‘He had an injury about 18 months ago and he had a year off so to have him back is just amazing.’’
The National Open Show Hunter Champion was won by Melanie Morris on Kosciusko who also won the Amateur title.
‘‘I’ve had a great show,’’ she said. ‘‘Kossie is a boomerang horse. We sold him and then bought him back, but he is here to stay now.’’