A Cracker Of A Christmas Coming

A Cracker Of A Christmas Coming

Anna Trent got the perfect Christmas cracker at the weekend with a win in the fifth round of the New Zealand World Cup series at the Christmas Classic in Taupo.

The Hawke's Bay showjumper rode her purpose-bred Selle Francaise horse Cortaflex Nicalette NZPH to victory after a speedy clear in the second round at the National Equestrian Centre.

Nine combinations started the class, with eight going through to the second round over the John Vallance (Australia) designed course.

In the end both Trent and Ike Unsworth (Tauranga) on Seremonie VDL jumped double clear rounds but Trent, who was last to go in the second round, came home with more seven seconds to spare.

Trent has won the same class at Taupo for the past three years now, and says she was rapt with the big step up by Nicalette who has only had two starts at this level.

“It was a big track but a great opportunity to see Nicolette’s scope. I was thrilled with the way she went today.”

Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) and Dunstan Delphi were clear going into the second round but dropped a rail relegating them to third spot. Also clear in the first round was Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) on Jedi Warrior.

But McVean has the edge on the leaderboard, sitting nine points ahead of Trent. There are still four rounds to go, including the final in Gisborne at the end of January.

Beatson, Trent, McVean, Unsworth and Team Horse Sales NZ Simon Wilson (Waipukurau) on their respective mounts all gained certificates of capability for the 2010 World Equestrian Games.

In the national derby, Doug Isaacson (Dannevirke) and Brother Brown edged out a competitive field, including former Olympian Daniel Meech (Hawke's Bay) riding Merran Hain's Untouchable.

Isaacson, Meech and Vicki Wilson (Northland) on Showtym Girl were the only three through to the jump-off. Meech set the pace, stopping the clock at 34.99, followed by Wilson who retired and finally Isaacson who slid home to take victory in 34.29.

Results –

World Cup (fifth round) NZ series: Anna Trent (Hawke's Bay) Cortaflex Nicalette NZPH 1, Ike Unsworth (Tauranga) Seremonie VDL 2, Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Delphi 3, Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Daffodil 4, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) Jedi Warrior 5, Anna Trent (Hawke's Bay) Cortaflex Levitation NZPH 6.

Points: Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) 47 points, Anna Trent (Hawke's Bay) 38, Team Horse Sales NZ Simon Wilson (Waipukurau) 35, Julie Davy (Hastings) 34, Catherine Cameron (Cambridge) 24, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) 22, Ike Unsworth (Tauranga) 21.

National showjumping derby: Doug Isaacson (Dannevirke) Brother Brown 1, Daniel Meech (Hawke's Bay) Untouchable (owned by Merran Hain) 2, Vicki Wilson (Northland) Showtym Girl 3.

One star grand prix: Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) Corofino II 1, Phillip Steiner (Tauranga) Annandale Online NZPH 2, Julie Davy (Hastings) Air Hill Myka 3, Doug Isaacson (Dannevirke) Brother Brown 4, Phillip Steiner (Tauranga) Annandale Daylight LS 5, Robert Steele (Hawera) Midnight Hour 6.

Open horse 1.3m: Anna Stephen (Martinborough) Constantine 1, Melanie Purcell (Whakatane) Billistic 2, Tegan Fitzsimon (Christchurch) Party Time 3, Louise Grant (Ashburton) Kiwi Ludo 4, Robert Steel (Hawera) Midnight Hour 5, Anna Trent (Hawke's Bay) Cortaflex Nicalette NZPH 6, Team Horse Sales NZ Claire Wilson (Waipukurau) Tipsey 6.

Open horse 1.3m: Anna Stephen (Martinborough) Constantine 1, Robert Steele (Hawera) Midnight Hour 2, Tom Tarver-Priebe (Kawerau) Pick Me NZPH 3, Hannah Burnett-Grant (Taupo) Winston Darco V 4, Sarah Lauder (Helensville) Telephonic 5, Team Horse Sales NZ Claire Wilson (Waipukurau) Tipsey 6.

Open horse 1.4m: Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Forest II 1, Bernard Denton (Gisborne) Suzuki 2, Vicki Wilson (Northland) Wurlitzer 3, Lucy Akers (Palmerston North) Tinapai 4, Dough Isaacson (Dannevirke) Major Brown 5.

Welcome stakes 1.45m: Katie McVean (Mystery Creek) Dunstan Delphi 1, Ike Unsworth (Tauranga) Seremonie VDL 2, Anna Trent (Hawke's Bay) Cortaflex Levitation NZPH 3, Team Horse Sales NZ Claire Wilson (Waipukurau) Answer Back 4, Robert Steele (Hawera) Countryman 5.

Toyota young rider: Jaimee Gowler (Feilding) Text Me Back 1, Brad Cunningham (Christchurch) Cheltenham 2, Rachael Bentall (Hastings) Kiwi Brave 3, Tegan Fitzsimon (Christchurch) Alacazan MH 4, Emma Williams (Masterton) Cricklewood Ace 5, Danielle Maurer (Auckland) Blue Rinse 6, Tess Williams (Gisborne) Alltech Criaghaven Nitro 7.

Pony six bar: Coral Single (Hastings) Hi AZ and Harry Duncan (Hunterville) Cheblinkers =1.

Mitavite six year old series: Allan Goodall (Pukekohe) Leeston Eagle, Jake Lambert (Cambridge) Quality NZPH, Kim Best (Otane) IQ, Anna Trent (Hawke's Bay) Cortaflex Quickstep NZPH, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) Shimmel Warrior =1.

Cushionride seven year old: Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) Wishing Warrior 1, Julie Davy (Hastings) Kiwi Spirit 2, Louise Grant (Ashburton) Kiwi Ludo 3, Sally Clark (Dannevirke) Woodbury 4, Tess Williams (Gisborne) Alltech Craighaven Nitro 5, Jacob Razak (Manakau) Eyreleigh Shenanigan 6.

KiwiSpan junior rider: Candice Fox (Auckland) Larkham 1, Jennifer Leslie (Drury) Macavee 2, Joanne Denton (Wellington) Merchiston Heathcliffe 3, Lisa Hogg (Ohope) Jumping Jack Splash 4, Alex Barnett (Feilding) Bayleys Distinguished I 5, Bridget Grylls (Te Awamutu) Yippe-Yi-Yo 6.

Iverquantel amateur rider: Stephanie Liefting (Papakura) AMS Swayze 1, Carol Stewart (Tokoroa) Tartan Crossfire 2, Tarnia Morris (Hamilton) BMW Fjola 3, Murray Thompson (Hastings) Socks 4, Emma Blair (Auckland) Duplicate 5, Alisha Kerr (New Plymouth) Perfect Exchange 6.

FMG pony grand prix: Timothy Myers (Taranaki) Bulls Eye 1, Alexa Randall (Auckland) Millbrook 2, Melanie Weal (Te Awamutu) Hopeful Illusion 3, James Cole (Auckland) Lion Red II 4, Hannah Burnett-Grant (Taupo) Mighty Maximus 5, Amanda Wilson Northland) Showtym Viking 6.

ENDS