DEATH OF SHOW JUMPER
Great Champion, Viking
Viking, the great show jumper is dead. With his death the New Zealand showring has lost one of its most spectacular characters, for this once vicious outlaw became a great champion.
Although a small horse, often unable to see across the high jumps he cleared, Viking had a big heart. His magnificent records are an era in show jumping. Mr D. F. O’Connell’s skewbald gelding had unusual colouring of chestnut patches on a white ground. Viking was 20 when he died, but he was still winning championships at 18. He won more than 200 prizes, including many championships, and became one of the greatest money-winners ever to compete in New Zealand showrings.
Running several years ago as The Pie. he was fourth in the Christchurch Hunt Club Cup. He also won three point-to-point lightweight steeplechases and two women’s steeplechase events in Otago.
Mr O’Connell attributed Viking's success to kindness, good handling and proper feeding in the off-season.
Viking won more publicity for himself and the showring than many thoroughbreds. He earned the retirement he was given on the Wylies Crossing farm of Mr K. Russell, the man who rode him so many times.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19570117.2.110
Bibliographic details
Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28178, 17 January 1957, Page 12
Word Count
200DEATH OF SHOW JUMPER Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28178, 17 January 1957, Page 12
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