Australians Dominate Horse Of Year Show

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29745, 12 February 1962, Page 12

Australians Dominate Horse Of Year Show

Members of the visiting Australian team carried off two of the major trophies when the New Zealand Horse Society's Horse of the Year Show concluded at the Addington Show Grounds on Saturday. They were the horse Coronation, ridden by the Australian captain, R. W. Hyem, which won the title of Horse of the Year, and K. Bacon, also of Australia, who was Rider of the Year. The large group of spectators was rewarded by excellent jumping in all the competitions. The first event, the hit and* hurry competition for grade C horses, produced some fine rounds with

R. Williamson on Heroia beating Miss D. Dunn on Royal Tartan by three-fifths of a second.

The six-ba: oompetition for the Blackmoore Cup was a triumph for Bacon, who rode Kimberley and Ocean Foam into first and second place. I. J. Mclldowney’s Mandalay was a good third. In this event the last fence of the series was sft 6in for the sixth and final round. Thrilling Duel The jumping competition for women over a stiff course, which included a twelve-foot imitation water jump, provided a thrilling duel between Miss B. Mclntyre on Coronation (Australia) and Miss J. Nichol on Youillia. These two riders were the only ones to go clear in the first round; in the first jump-off with raised fences both were clear again, and had to jump again against toe clock. Coronation, the first to jump, went fast and dear until the water. His knowledge that the “water" was artificial overcame his obedience to the demands of his rider and he dropped a hind foot on it for four faults.

Youillia had therefore only to go clear to win, but as the slow and careful round proceeded, it was obvious that if she faulted at a fence. Coronation must win on time. Her approach to the “water” was anxiously watched, and there was a sigh of relief when she cleared it by a foot. She cantered quietly on over the rest of the fences to receive a great ovation for a fine victory. Miss A. Peddie s Lindy Lou and Miss N. S. Darling’s Remember shared third place. The supreme champion hack of the year resulted in a triumph for the little Gisborne horse. Saba Sam, which earlier had divided the puissance with Look-out which had also jumped outstandingly in the teams event. He followed up his success on the flat by jumping two rounds for only four faults each time in the Victor Ludorum jumping competition. This event was won by Hyem, on Coronation with only four faults for the two rounds. Miss Nichol's Youillia and J. Moss’s Our Chief shared second place with seven faults each. Pony of the Year The Pony of the Year jumping competition resulted in a surprise win for Miss P. Adams on Penelope, a comparatively young and inexperienced pony, which on this occasion did not put a foot wrong. Second equal were Miss A. Bedford s Gypsy Legend, ridden by Mrs B. Gillard, and D. Richardson's Safari.

Bacon with his two horses, Kimberley and Ocean Foam, gained the Lowry Medallion for Rider of the Year by gaining most points in the jumping competitions. The points trophy awarded to the horse gaining most points throughout the show also went to Australia—Hyem’s fine chestnut all-rounder Coronation.

Miss J. Dunn’s well-known Sari won the award for the most points among the ponies, with Miss P. Adamss Penelope as runner-up. Mr H. Wood, the Australian manager, presented a bridle to the winner and a dress rug to the runner-up.