Carrington excels on HOY top pony
Land Rover Horse of the Year 2020 has been a whirlwind for Takapau's Samantha Carrington, who in less than 24 hours won both the Pony of the Year and Junior Rider of the Year Titles.
It was a dream come true for Takapau's Samantha Carrington, claiming the 2020 Farmlands Pony of the Year title on her chestnut mare Colours of Lansing. As 31 of the country's best young riders and their pocket rocket ponies tackled the 1.25-1.35m course, nine returned for the second round.
It was just Carrington and 13-year old Emma Gillies from Oamaru who pulled off a faultless second round, resulting in a two-pony jump off. The crowd was on the edge of their seats and the pressure was well and truly on for the two super star combinations. Eight faults were earned by first up Gillies aboard her dun mare Benrose Playtime.
A composed Carrington took to the Premier Arena and made it clear over the last, dropped her reins and punched the air.
“I think it's everybody's dream.” she said of her new title. An emotional Carrington couldn't hold back the tears as she clung to the Somerset Fair Cup.
“We've been together for five years now, so we know each other pretty well.”
Watching from the sidelines was mum Wendy and Aunt Robyn. The identical twins who run the Double J Stud in Takapau are two of her biggest supporters.
“I'm absolutely over the moon,” said Wendy. “All our horses are family members and we know how hard it is to get a win.” Last year Wendy considered selling the mare to help the family financially.
“I thought, no I will give her another year. And it's the
best decision I ever made.”
Now, a year on and her composed daughter has claimed the country’s most prestigious pony title on the quirky little mare.
“Just as long as we’re trusting each other on the day, it works out pretty good,” said Carrington. As her last season on ponies, the possibility of selling is still very much on the cards, or the possibility of breeding through their stud.
“If I can’t find the right home, she stays,” said Wendy.
Less than 24 hours later, the cool, calm and collected student from Feilding High School didn’t let Saturday night’s win go to her head, as she piloted her 9-year-old home-bred mare Double J Breeze On for a double clear win for the Junior Rider title. In the company of 29 other top young riders, 10 of which jumped the first round clear in the jump off and continuing her faultless record, Carrington was just one of the three combinations to come back for the jump off winning the title on a clear round.
That is not the end of the Carringtons in the Junior Rider competition either. In the wings is Samantha’s 14-year-old sister Kim on her less experienced Double J Barmaid.
She had qualified ahead of Samantha in the Junior Rider final but had a couple of rails down in the
With every right to feel very proud of both of her daughters this weekend, Wendy said that both girls work hard, carrying out all the donkey work themselves at the shows and they wouldn’t have it any other way.
It’s all part of the experience for them — getting up early, feeding, grooming, mucking out.