HORSE TALK

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32536, 20 February 1971, Page 14

HORSE TALK

Some excellent jumping, in spite of very hot temperatures was seen at Waimate last week. Four horses Hunter’s Moon, Condor, Gamble and Pegasus jumped clear in the first round of the South Canterbury-North Otago Open Jump, and then, in the jump-off over raised fences, Hunter’s Moon and Gamble incurred four faults and the other two eight. As this was a championship jump, the two best horses jumped again against the clock, and Hunter's Moon won with four faults while Gamble, retiring after collecting eight faults was second. The Dunstan Downs Stakes for C grade horses provided exciting jumping, with two jump-offs over raised fences and a third against time. Here Mrs Harris, a very experienced rider, showed her skill to win in a close contest from Mrs Chaffey on Kisema, who thrilled the crowd with his bold, spectacular leaping. At Rangiora the men seemed to dominate the prize winning, but Waimate was a different story, with the married women dominating many finishes in all grades of jumping. Overseas guests of the area were Mr W. Brace-

bridge and Mrs Bracebridge, who are touring New Zealand and taking an interest in the jumping horses here. Their horse, Pasha, ridden by Robin Miller, won the coveted Badminton three-day-event in 1969 and at present they have another horse doing very well in Europe. The visitors presented the prizes for the championship jumping events. Four horses of the sixhorse team were selected after Waimate. They were Cardiff Lass, Pegasus and Okitu, all A grade horses, and Kisema, C grade. Horses for selection only had to attend Waimate or Rangiora, so although Cardiff Lass was spelled

at Waimate, her brilliance at Rangiora earned her selection. Pegasus again went well and is improving on every performance, while Okitu, another good performer at Rangiora, had only one start because of the hard ground. Kisema once again showed the selectors his ability in the big C grade event. Gamble and Mrs McCully, who have been going so well for a new combination, were not included as Gamble's soundness is in doubt, while Hunter’s Moon, a joy to watch at ail times, is unfortunately a day-to-day proposition because of his injury sustained last June. Night Owl, another possibility after his win < will be watched closely at Invercargill, as he and Jenny Dunn are also a new partnership. Bush Creek was absent from Waimate because of a superficial injury, but will be jumping at Invercargill, where he will be given a chance for selection along with another C grade horse, Windermere, ridden by Donna Menlove. The selectors will also watch Mooree, a promising improver recently taken over by the experienced rider, Janet O’Sullivan.

The selectors want to send horses from each grade as they feel the experience the C grade and improver horses would r would be invaluable the future of South Island show jumping. The A grade horses posed a problem for the selectors and it was regrettable tfiat some riders and horses who had worked so hard and had supported so willingly all the training courses held, had to be left behind. A welcome v breakthrough in her new venture as a trainer came for Mrs Ann Archdale last week when she had her first big win in the last race at Riccarton with Bright Girl.