It was South Island all the way in the UltraMox Lady Rider of the Year class this evening at the Land Rover Horse of the Year Show in Hastings.
Twenty-two-year-old Makenzie Causer (Christchurch) and her imported mare Dolce Del Colle headed home a classy field to take the honours in the much coveted class at their first-ever Horse of the Year Show.
She and Dolce Del Colle were one of 11 from the original 29 starters to come back for the second round over the Roger Laplanche-designed course where once again there was some superb riding. Francesca Corich van der Bas aboard Bannockburn ECPH was the first to go clear, coming home in 44.03 seconds.
Next out came youngster Kim Carrington (Takapau) on her stallion Double J Typhoon who were just a smidgen slower with their clear 44.92 second round.
Julie Davey (Hastings) and LT Holst Freda were all clean in 46.99, followed by Emma Gillies (Oamaru) on Benrose Black Jack who left everything in tact in her 43.82 second round for third. Katie Meredith (Ohoka) and ES Quincy went one better with their 43.29 second round for second place, but then came Makenzie who left them in her dust. Speed queen Emma Gaze (Cambridge) and Kowhai Bug were well on track to steal the title until the second to last and had to settle for four faults in 40.95 second effort that saw them finish in seventh place.
Makenzie’s plan was always to just give it her all, especially given she’s had a shortened season due to illness.
She’s had 11-year-old Dolce Del Colle for two years and loves that she is so brave, fast and scopey. She didn’t watch the others go in the second round but knew there were some speedsters in the mix.
“I made a plan with my coaches Toni and Collin (McIntosh) and stuck to it. Collin told me to push past my comfort zone, which I did. This just means so much,” said Makenzie. “To have South Island one, two and three is great! We have some really good horses and riders there.”
Much of her success was thanks to those supporting her.
“I have some amazing people behind me, including my parents, siblings, sponsors, groom and mates. I couldn’t be more thrilled. It is nice that all that patience and hard work is paying off.”
Earlier Gisborne relief teacher Cindy Kershaw won the Wade Equine Coaches Amateur Rider of the Year crown aboard Kiwi Vision. It was the first time since she was a youngster on show ponies that she had ridden at HOY.
The win was made all the more special as she had her mum Christine, nine-year-old daughter Rose and a large contingent of Gisborne mates there to cheer her on. Fittingly, she was also awarded the trophy, donated by fellow Gisborne equestrian and Defender Arena gate steward Blake Keane.
“I am absolutely chuffed,” said a rather emotional Cindy. “The plan was just to go out and have fun.”
She was first to go in the jump-off and says she had nothing to lose and everything to gain in taking on board coach Andrew Scott’s instruction to “ride the corners”.
Hawke’s Bay horsewoman Vicki Wilson continued her winning ways, taking out the Five-Year-Old of the Year crown aboard her homebred Dakota VWNZ in a super speedy jump-off.
The course allowed for some superb jumping while adding enough to challenge the combinations and allow the best to come through.
“Dakota is just a freak,” says Vicki, “with the sharpest brain. I didn’t watch anyone else go and was just told the black horse was fast so I had to gallop.”
Vicki says she’s known the horse has always been special. “It’s nice to showcase that to everyone,” she said. “She can gallop, jump and just do everything.”
The show runs through until Sunday when the Oceania Eventing Challenge will be decided between New Zealand and Australia, the Olympic Cup will be awarded to the Showjumper of the Year, and the Dressage Horse of the Year will be crowned.
WHAT: Land Rover Horse of the Year Show
WHERE: Tōmoana Showgrounds, Heretaunga, Hastings
WHEN: March 5-10, 2024
MORE INFO AND TICKETS: www.hoy.kiwi
