Celebrating women
Last Thursday night at the Land Rover Horse of the
Year was about celebrating strong and empowering women, and the Ultra Mox Lady Rider of the Year Final had some of the best female riders flying the flag.
The highly anticipated class had the crowd on the edge of their seats, as the 30 women, one as young as 14 flew around the 1.40m course, with only eight going through to the jump off.
Finally was Cambridge’s Rachael Malcolm aboard Monte Carlo MVNZ, who jumped faultlessly and fast, taking home the win with a time of 56.72 seconds.
“I had a couple of lives in the jump off, but luck was on my side.
“It was our day today,” said Rachael.
Nakeysha Lammers, 23, riding Balboa NZPH finished in second carrying a time penalty from the first round.
Former Young Rider of the Year winner Drew Carson riding Winston V Driene scraped through for third, also earning a time penalty.
A full-time show jumper, Rachael gave birth five months ago to her first child, missing the beginning of the competitive season.
Greeted by her husband John and son Oliver, Rachael dedicated the win to the support system around her, including two-time Lady of the Year winner Lisa Coupe.
“It’s really taken a big team to get here.”
The combination is no stranger to Premier Arena wins, having taken home the Six Year Old title in 2018.
Her first Lady Rider of the Year win with her name engraved on the prestigious Merrylegs trophy is a significantly special one having owned Monte Carlo MVNZ since he was a two-year-old.
“He means a lot to me.”