Louisa Hill met crowd expectations convincingly taking the win in the FEI Grand Prix dressage title class at 2012 New Zealand Horse of the Year Show in Hastings, New Zealand, with a score of 68.61%. The Clevedon based Hill and her starry Antonello (by Anamour) had the crowd in awe as they pulled off the test of the day, with their trademark passage and piaffe wowing all those watching – including the judges.
International judge Mary Seefried (Aus) said Hill offered plenty of expressive work, particularly in the canter, creating a lot of energy and impulsion. In her third visit to New Zealand as a HOY Judge, Seefried sees a definite improvement in the overall quality of horses she is judging.
For Hill, today’s score on the back of yesterday’s 68.68% is reassurance that she is on the right path for the London Olympics, where she is the sole New Zealand dressage rider to have met the NZ qualification criteria so far.
Taking second spot to Hill today was Nicky Pope (Whitford) and Fabarchie. Pope was one of the four team members who travelled to Australia last year, making history in earning New Zealand the right to field its first team at the London Olympics. Today’s test marked a personal milestone for Pope, in her battle to break the 63% barrier, with a final score of 64.48%.
“I’m absolutely thrilled with him,” she said. “My game plan today was to ask for a little more of him and he delivered.”
The result is even more rewarding given that Pope had to retire from the class at the past two Horse of the Year Shows, with Fabarchie reacting strongly to the atmosphere and ‘losing the plot’. “I think a lot of it comes down the experience of going abroad with him. He felt really relaxed today and there’s still plenty more in the tank.”
Absent from HOY this year are Vanessa Way (Taranaki) and Jody Hartstone (Raglan), both currently based in the United Kingdom with the aim of qualifying for London.
Welten Leads CDI-YR Young Riders Individual Test
It’s been a great year so far for Cambridge rider Kate Welten. The student teacher won the National Young Rider title for the second consecutive year and so far Horse of the Year has gone her way too.
After decisively winning yesterday’s warm-up test, her streak continued today when she narrowly edged out her closest rival Kelly Van Dyk, to win the CDI-Y FEI Young Rider individual test.
Welten and Van Dyk are now in their third season of going head to head. Often less than a fraction of a percent separates the pair; both of whom have international experience and are regulars at the top of the Young Rider leaderboard.
Today the win went to Kate riding Amajah, on 65.68%, with Kelly and Wolhkahn just a whisper behind on 64.31%. Both showed lovely quality work and Van Dyk rode well to keep her horse relaxed after he reacted to the HOY atmosphere yesterday.
Rebecca Goldsbury rode beautifully on Avante Garde but unfortunately the atmosphere got the better of him once again, to finish down the field on 58.92%.
Caitlin Benzie rode a nice clear round on Greendowns Laredo to take third spot on 62.05%, then Anya Noble on Microchip on 60.71%.
Results 2012 NZ Horse of the Year
CDI Grand Prix
- 1: Louisa Hill - Antonello - 68.61%
- 2. Nicky Pope - Fabarchie - 64.48%
- 3. Bill Noble - Airthrey Highlander - 61.83%
- 4. Hannah Appleton - Fiber Fresh Zactac - 61.78%
- 5. Christine Weal - Spielzeit - 60.38%
- 6. Debbie Barke - Mzungu - 58.80%
CDI-YR Young Riders Individual Test
- 1: Kate Welten - Amajah - 65.68%
- 2: Kelly Van Dyk - Wolhkahn - 64.31%
- 3. Caitlin Benzie - Greendowns Laredo - 62.05%
- 4. Anya Noble - Microchip - 60.71%
- 5. Rebecca Goldsbury - Avante Garde - 58.92%.
Related Link
Louisa Hill Draws the Crowds at 2012 New Zealand Horse of the Year Show