Dannevirke equestrian: FEI World Cup qualifier down to the wire

Sophie Scott’s double clear victory aboard Benrose Stellar on Saturday’s FEI World Cup qualifier at Dannevirke is not quite enough to pop her to the top of the leader board as the New Zealand series heads to the final.

A stunning victory and her pressure-fuelled clear in the second round of the Heather McDonald-designed course saw her edge Julie Davey (Hawke’s Bay) and LT Holst Freda into second with the only other double clear of the Alabaster Contracting sponsored class at the Central and Southern Hawke’s Bay Jumping Show.

Scott had to better Davey’s clean slate in 58.76 seconds, which she did with a stunning round in 52.08 seconds.

Sophie Scott and Benrose Stellar soaring to victory in the Alabaster Contracting FEI World Cup Qualifier at the Central and Southern Hawke’s Bay Jumping Show on January 11. Photo / Jaimee Whittaker - Kampic

With Stellar her non-nominated horse, the top points go to Davey who is in the lead as they head into next week’s final.

The opening round of the five-strong class saw just Davey and Scott clear.

Luke Dee (Havelock North) aboard his European import Gangster WW had a rail at the second of the double late in the course to sit on four faults, with Scott and her nominated horse Waitangi Skynet picking up eight faults late in the course.

Waipukuaru farmer Oliver Edgecombe and Takapoto Tinka had a forgettable second half of the course to finish with 16 faults.

In the second, everyone was clear, which placed Dee in third place on four faults in 53.98, Scott and Skynet fourth on eight in 53.72, and Edgecombe fifth on 16 in 60.12.

Scott said it was a “great class” and noted how competitive each combination had been on the Heather McDonald-designed course.

“I am so unbelievably happy with Stellar – she jumped super out there.”

Davey knew she had not only gone clear but with Sophie to follow, notch a fast time.

“I knew I had to be clear and pray but it didn’t work out.”

Dee was quick to claim the rail he and Gangster had.

“He is pretty special. I was just a bit unlucky in the first round. He got a bit keen on me and jumped in too big into that double. It was rider error really. I should have added one extra and would probably have been clear.”

Davey remained at the top of the leader board heading to next week’s Waitemata hosted final, with Dee just behind her and Scott in third.

Just three of the four rounds count and there are points-and-a-half on the table for the final.

The winner of the series has the opportunity to represent New Zealand at the Longines FEI World Cup Final in Basel, Switzerland in April.