Scott in Searing Form at Classic

Sophie Scott was the star of the show at the inaugural Cartown Kiwi Super Classic at Manfeild Park at the weekend, dominating the top classes with her string of very well-performed horses.

Scott won the major class, the Cartown Super Star Final aboard Waitangi Skynet, and was also third with Equine America Benrose Stellar and fourth on Equine America LT Holst Eloquent.

Horses and riders had to qualify earlier in the show for the star finals.

Twenty-five progressed through to the Super Star Final. Eight were clear over the opening round of the FEI Level 3 Michael Haese (AUS) designed course, but 15 came through to the second round, the remainder carrying faults.

It was a thrilling second round with combinations chasing the big prize pot and keen to stake their claim in the class. However, the very in-form and always dangerous Sophie Scott proved just too good for the rest with her double clear in 44.5 seconds aboard Waitangi Skynet. South Islander Katie Meredith and ES Quincy gave it their all but came up just show with their clean 45.96-second effort. Scott was also double clear with her other two horses Stellar (47.08) and Eloquent (48.29).

Sophie Scott proved unstoppable at the Cartown Kiwi Super Classic, swooping in to win the big class of the show, the Super Star Final aboard Waitangi Skynet among other prizes.

Scott teamed up with Normandy GHP, making short work of the Property Brokers Horse Grand Prix Series class, taking the win with the only clear of the opening round. Her Australian warmblood has been a solid performer for Sophie this season, including at World Cup level. Kimberley Carrington and Double J Typhoon were second on four faults, with Fran Corich and Bannockburn ECPH third on five.

Palmerston North horsewoman Chloe Hansen won the EquiVets Rising Star Final aboard her 16-year-old homebred mare Fancy Pants. Their plan today was simple – leave the jumps up. “She knows her job and just gets on with it. S

he is a real fun machine – she is a sit and steer ride who just loves to go fast and tries her hardest every time.”

Twenty-three started the final, with 10 coming back for the second round, where just three kept their slates clean. As last to go, Chloe knew exactly what needed to be done, coming home double clear in 43.94 seconds.

“I one in the lead before me did six to the last and I knew that would be a stretch for Fancy so we did seven leaving me unsure we had done enough!”

But they had, coming home double clear in 43.94 seconds.

Quarter horse cross Get The Beat needed no encouragement from his doting rider Ava Porter, to put on the afterburners and win the Beyond the Bit Young Stars Pony Final a slick nine seconds ahead of his nearest opposition.

Ava, who has just finished primary school, has had Alfie – as he is known by his mates, for nearly two years. “I just love him,” says the 13-year-old. “He makes you feel happy.”

The Young Stars Pony class was the goal for Alfie. “I wanted to risk it for the biscuit and end the year on a positive note,” says Ava. “I wanted us to go out there and try our hardest.”

Both clearly got the brief.

Nigel Horton only ever had one plan for him and Mandalay Cove in the Gyro Plastics Stars in Your Eyes Final . . . and he’s “stoked as” that played out perfectly.

Twenty-one combinations started the opening round of the final with the 12 clear rounds progressing to the second round, where the top seven were all double clear.

But the day belonged to Nigel and Mandalay Cove, who were late to go and sliced and diced to cross the flags in 54.02 seconds, with Ella Easton and A&P Firenze home in 54.02 and Sophie Scott aboard Glenbrooke Rich as Roses third in 56.85.

Danielle Jelliman is proving to be a young gun to watch for the future after she took the quinella in the Pony Grand Prix with her mounts Tallyho Scoundrel and Korokipo Kid.

Ashhurst teen Danielle Jelliman bagged a rather special quinella in the AMS Saddlery Pony Grand Prix (supported by Southern Parallel Equine Centre) with her mounts Tallyho Scoundrel and Korokipo Kid. It is the second time this season she has pulled it off and has certainly become a rider to watch, despite having only done her first-ever pony grand prix start last season

“I am so thrilled,” said the 14-year-old who is trained by Sophie Scott, Jeff McVean, and Rachel Bird. “They are such good ponies – I do love them.”

“Both of them try their hardest for me. The win is special because I always want to give my ponies the best chance possible and be proud of them and myself. Both came off such amazing riders so I want to do the best by them too.”

Show organiser Kevin Hansen said he was very pleased with the event.

“The riders are thrilled with it,” he said. “It’s a first year event and while I wish we had more spectators through the gate he was a happy man. It is a very successful start to this event.”

He’s keen to see more use of Manfeild Park and says the Super Classic is a valuable addition to the equestrian calendar.

Results –

Cartown Super Star Final: Sophie Scott (Palmerston North) Waitangi Skynet 1, Katie Meredith (Ohoka) ES Quincy 2, Sophie Scott (Palmerston North) Equine America Benrose Stellar 3, Sophie Scott (Palmerston North) Equine America LT Holst Eloquent 4, Ben Weir (Matangi) Cirrius 5, Francesca Corich van der bas (Auckland) Bannochburn ECPH 6.

Gyro Plastics Stars in Your Eyes Final: Nigel Horton (Kumeroa) Mandalay Cove 1, Ella Easton (Levin) A&P Firenze 2, Sophie Scott (Palmerston North) Glenbrooke Rich as Roses 3, Tanya Hansen (Taranaki) Ngahiwi Specter 4, Jessica Hore (Miller’s Flat) Diva Contina PJ 5, Cara Quinn (Queenstown) Haupouri Dakota NZPH 6.

EquiVets Rising Star Final: Chloe Hansen (Palmerston North) Fancy Pants 1, Savannah Lynn (Levin) Carnival 2, Ruby Hawkeswood (Auckland) Carado GHP 3, Alex Loiselle (Norsewood) Di Maggio 4, Sophie Dickson (Marton) Penny Royal GNZ 5, Josh Adamson (Napier) Haupouri Jewellery 6.

Beyond the Bit Young Stars Pony Final: Ava Porter (Te Horo) Get The Beat 1, Korah Castles (Dannevirke) All That Jazz 2, Rylee Apatu (Levin) Jackpot Jake 3, Tayla Jamieson (Foxton) She’s a Puzzle 4, Honour Dreaneen (Wellington) Diamond Magnificent 5, Katie Bibby (Onga Onga) Fire Bandit 6.

Property Brokers Horse Grand Prix: Sophie Scott (Palmerston North) Normandy GHP 1, Kimberley Carrington (Takapau) Double J Typhoon 2, Francesca Corich van der bas (Auckland) Bannockburn ECPH 3, Sophia Williams (Masterton) Grassendale Enzo 4,

Sophie Scott (Palmerston North) Equine America LT Holst Eloquent 5, Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) Dynavyte Corysian Ego Z 6.

AMS Saddlery Pony Grand Prix (supported by Southern Parallel Equine Centre): Danielle Jelliman (Palmerston North) Tallyho Scoundrel 1, Danielle Jelliman (Palmerston North) Korokipo Kid 2, Lucy Oliver (Peka Peka) Doctor Jones 3.