Show Jumping Rutherford Cup Won By Australia

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29744, 10 February 1962, Page 17

Show Jumping Rutherford Cup Won By Australia

The main event of the second day of the Horse of the Year Show at the Show Grounds yesterday was the teams’ event for the Rutherford Cup—two rounds over big fences at 436 yards a minute.

The first round was one of spills and laughter, only two clear rounds, by R. W. Hyem’s Coronation (Australia) and G. O. Hansen’s Saba Sam (Gisborne), being recorded. The excited calls of the crowd when E. Upritchard, on Landrover, turned to the wrong fence and the moan of disappointment when Landrover, unsettled by the sudden change of direction, refused a jump, were symptomatic of the affection and regard the show-jumping public has for this great combination. The course was difficult and a surprising number of horses were eliminated. Only Australia, Otago and Gisborne were left to contest the second round, Australia having a substantial lead.

The second round was a much more sober affair, but was enlivened by the amazing acrobatics of the Gisborne rider, W. W. Spence who, although unseated and hanging round his horse’s neck with one foot almost touching the ground, managed to work his way back into the saddle and thus avoid the penalties for a fall.

No horse had a clear round although Coronation, Saba Sam, Look-Out (Miss B. Mclntyre) and Ocean Foam (K. Bacon) had only four faults each. The result was a decisive win for Australia with 27 faults for the two rounds, with Gisborne <62J faults) second, and Otago A (82J faults) third. As the Rutherford Cup is awarded to the best provincial team in New Zealand,

there was speculation whether the Australians would accept it. The Australian team's graceful acceptance of the cup, however, showed that Australia acknowledges the relative importance of the two countries. Other results were:

Table C Competition (Grade A horses).—K. Bacon (Australia). Kimberley, 1; Miss M. Ross, Caesar, 2; Miss N. S. Darling, Remember, 3.

Table A Competition (Grade C horses). —R. B. Hansen. Tide, 1; Mrs J. M. Mclldowie, Mariner. 2; Miss J. Kelly, Kildare, 3.

Women’s Hack.—Miss N. Ensor, Whimsical, 1; Miss V. M. H. Nichols, Liberty, 2; Miss A. Bedford. Morning Spirit, 3. Pony Six Bar.—Miss S. Crosby, Tosca, 1: Miss G. Stewart, Rufus, 2; Miss J. Richardson, Golden Queen, and R. Whitton. Pretty Polly (equal),

Pony Combined Training.— Miss J. Scott, Highland Laddie, 1; Miss J. Dunn, Sari, 2; Miss J. Morton, Sansi. 3.