Tootill and Ulysses NZPH set standard for series
Lily Tootill and Ulysses NZPH have laid down the challenge for the rest of the nation’s top jumpers who are keen to chase honours in the New Zealand World Cup League which got under way yesterday at the Hawke’s Bay Royal A&P Show in Hastings.
Fourteen started the international class with clear rounds coming from first-timer Lucinda Askin, of Ashburton, aboard Portofino, along with former series winner, Olympian Maurice Beatson, of Dannevirke, on Mandalay Cove, Karaka’s Tootill, on Ulysses NZPH, and Waipukurau’s Brooke Edgecombe, aboard LT Holst Andrea.
Sitting on four faults apiece were the stallions — Eros K, with Steffi Whittaker, of Christchurch, and Bravado Ego Z, with Whangarei’s Jasmine Sketchley.
Those six were the only combinations to come back for the second round of the Roger Laplanche-designed course where Askin and Whittaker both finished on 16 faults, Sketchley added eight to finish on 12 faults, Beatson had also picked up eight, with Edgecombe and Tootill both all clear.
Tootill and her 2017 Olympic Cup winner Ulysses NZPH stopped the clock at 64.98 seconds to take the win over Edgecombe’s steady clear in 69.45.
“I would have been happy if we were double clear and 10th,” 21-year-old Tootill said.
“I came into this wanting to jump double clear, and to win is a bonus.”
The combination looked a little strong coming into the second to last fence, a big triple bar, but 11-year-old Ulysses NZPH “exploded” over it.
“He is just amazing,” his doting owner said.
It is their second World Cup victory.
“I thought the first round was very encouraging and approachable but they certainly whacked those jumps up for the second – especially that triple bar,” Tootill said.
She and Ulysses, who are in their fourth season together, will target the World Cup Series — but not at all costs.
“I want to keep those double clears coming and to be consistent but I am not going to run his legs off,” Tootill explained.
She is planning on heading to the UK with her chestnut gelding towards the end of the season.
“He is the most humble and sweetest horse in the world.
“All he wants is a pat,” Tootill added.
Whittaker who, at 18, was in her first World Cup start, placed fifth in the class aboard Eros K and they also won the prize as the bestpresented combination at the horse inspection.
The winner of the New Zealand World Cup series has the opportunity to represent New Zealand at the world final in Sweden next year.