Multiple sclerosis not stopping Grand Prix champion Davey

Another fence scaled . . . Hawke’s Bay rider Julie Davey and her horse Just D en route to the only clear round and victory in the Horse Grand Prix — the premier showjumping class at the A&P Show. Picture by Paul Rickard

Julie Davey saved the best for last in the major class on the final day of equestrian at the Poverty Bay A&P Show on Saturday.

She and her imported grey mare Just D were the last to go in a classy field in the Property Brokers Horse Grand Prix (in conjunction with East Coast Wools).

Before them had been a slew of four-fault rounds, which would have meant a jump-off between the equal faulters.

Davey was having none of that.

They were last to go across Australian Graeme Watts’ designed course constantly buffeted by the strong winds.

It didn’t appear to faze them and they came home all clear for the win, despite the horse flicking off a shoe   late in their run.

The Hawke’s Bay rider has been coming to Gisborne for many years and has enjoyed plenty of success here, but it’s been a while between Grand Prix victories.

“A&P Shows always take a bit of riding with everything going on around the ring and the horses are super-charged,” says Davey, who also placed second-equal on her other mount LT Holst Freda alongside Brooke Edgecombe (Waipukurau) aboard LT Holst Andrea, Logan Massie (Dannevirke) on Bravado Ego Z, Emelia Forsyth (Clevedon) on Henton Faberge, and Tegan Fitzsimon (West Melton) aboard Windermere Cappuccino.

Davey says she’s never brave enough to call which of her two horses will win before the class.

“You just can’t tell with these two,” she says.

She was disappointed to take a rail with Freda but admitted it helped with her round on Just D.

“I wasn’t about to make the same mistake. Winning anything as you get older is good.”

At 47, Davey faces an extra challenge in the saddle, having been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis

19 years ago.

“With MS you don’t take stuff for granted.”

She takes regular medication, eats well and goes to the gym to build her strength.

“The stronger and fitter I am, the more chance I have,” she says.

Julie and husband Andrew Ormond were planning to head offshore this year with their horses, but have postponed it a year just to build on the experience of the nine-year-old mares.

“They were just a fraction green and another year here won’t do them any harm. They’ve both only done a single FEI World Cup each and we need to consolidate a bit.”

It was a similar situation in the AMS Saddlery Pony Grand Prix where Annie Moffett (Napier) and her homebred Korokipo Kid took the win with the only clear of the opening round.

The 16-year-old has been coming to Gisborne shows since she was a pre-schooler, competing first in the lead rein classes before graduating to Grand Prix level.

Her sister did a little of the early work with her pony before handing the reins to Annie, who has brought him through the grades.

“I was just hoping for a clear round before we head to the Hawke’s Bay A&P Show this coming week,” she said.

This was Korokipo Kid’s second Pony Grand Prix win. His first was just a few weeks ago at Taupo.

Annie says the pony is a bit of a character who is nosy, loves attention and has no understanding of personal space, but she loves him all the same.

“It is always pretty special to have a win and we love coming here.”

The Grands Prix brought the curtain down on three days of excellent equestrian.

Locals to shine included Hollie Falloon aboard Merran Hain’s Untouchable. They won the champion hunter jumping horse, with Chloe Cook aboard Hangaroa Harry reserve champion.

Kim Leckner and Volition won champion working hunter horse with Rebecca Watson and JB Ngāti Rangi reserve.

In the show hunter arena, locals ruled. Rose Kershaw and My Luna Eclipse won the champion show hunter pony, with Elke Higgins and Gozzy reserve.