Equestrian: Farmer takes schedule in stride

Maurice Beatson

Hawke's Bay Olympian Maurice Beatson may have been the busiest in the grand prix at the Taranaki Equestrian Jumping Premier Show in Hawera yesterday but he still blitzed the field.

The Dannevirke farmer was one of 15 combinations to start the two round Excel Premier League class. Just two managed double clear over the Heather McDonald designed course.

Ahead of Beatson and his lovely grey, Schimmel Warrior, was Tash Brooks (Cambridge) and her in-form former racehorse Kapattack, who were clear in 59.3 seconds.

Beatson had the luxury of being the last to go in the second round, leaving everything in place in 54.58.

Lucy Akers (Opiki) and Letitbe GNZ finished on four faults in 56.33 while Te Awamutu teen Emily Hayward-Morgan and AP Ninja flew around the course, stopping the clock in the second round at 50.97, but had eight faults over the two rounds, to finish fourth.

The Country TV Pony Grand Prix saw 10 starters, with just two double clear. Ally Carson (Putaruru) and the perennial Tony The Pony rode a super round in 32.81 seconds, with Olivia Miller (Tauranga) and Kaycee Mackay second in 35.25. Carson was also third aboard Tiger Tale LS.

The multi-talented Sarah Young (Tokoroa), who does both eventing and showjumping, guided the imported Belize di Cantero to a double clear and victory in the Canterbury Equestrian Young Rider class with their 45.87 efforts. The second placed Hayward-Morgan and AP Ninja again blitzed the course in 39.72 but paid for their speed with a rail to finish on four faults. Hayward-Morgan was also second in the Telford Junior Rider class aboard Yandoo Lady Gold. The three-day show, held in perfect conditions at the Egmont A and P Showgrounds, attracted 350 horses.