HORSE TALK

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 38183, 24 March 1973, Page 4

HORSE TALK

South Island team After the Levin show the South Island team competed at Hastings, where on the first day Cardiff Lass (B. Anderson) won the Table A and was second in the hit and hurry. The second day’s Table A event provided an exciting finish when Bush Creek (J. Dunn) was beaten by one fifth of a second by Big Red (J. York). High Flyer (J. Bourne) was third in the C grade T.A, Pegasus was not competing because of a back abscess. Mr Lowenson’s final grand prix course was very big and testing, providing an all-New Zealand finish with Fontonelle (S. Cawston) winning from Big Red and Rifleman (J. Cottle). Bush Creek jumped the best of the South Islanders in the grand prix.

Gisborne staged the team’s next show and High Flyer won the first C grade T.A. with the only clear round. D'Artagnan (T. Mclntosh) produced the only clear round in the A grade T.A.. with Bush Creek and Cardiff Lass tiding with, five others for third. ’

Cardiff La« won the hit and hurry, being a fence ahead of Big Red. Springtime (M. Hewitt), the star of the New South Wales team, won the A grade T.A. in an exciting jumpoff against time from Rifleman. Bush,Creek and Pegasus were out of the contest with four faults in the first roijtid. Mighty Tarn, 15, and Cardiff Lass an unusual 19|. High Flyer went well in the C grade puissance, collecting four faults in the third round, the event going to Te Reinga (T. Mclntosh) who had four faults in the fifth round with the wall at 6ft 4in and the spread at sft 4in. The A grade puissance had an all-Australian climax after the second round. Dylan (R. McCall) and High Flyer were clear in the first round of the C grade T.A,, but collected four faults in the jump-off.

The first A grade T.A. on the final day resulted in a win for Springtime and Sultan (G. Creighton, New South Wales), with Bush Creek. Mighty Tarn (Mrs A. McCully) and Pegasus tieing for third with six others. Dylan was equal third in a Table A with four others, while in the grand prix Springtime scored yet another win with a half fault. Cardiff Lass was second equal with Rifleman, Big Red and Hello Honey (K. Riddell), with four faults. Bush Creek was only

a quarter fault behind these four. The Rutherford Cup was won by Wellington (12 faults) from Southland (241). while the New Zealand versus New South Wales test resulted in a good win for New Zealand by 12 to 231. New Zealand No. 2 was close behind on 28j. In the final C grade T.A. Dylan was third equal. The team next competes at Rotorua. Sold to Japan

Japan is not only buying New Zealand thoroughbreds but also our show jumpers. Among the A grade horses purchased were Second Mate (J. Cottle), Dino (C. Scott), Aristocrat (R. Coles), Sabana (G. Hansen), Aqaba (S. Mitchell) and Legend (B. Gasson). as well as more than 20 improvers and novices. Accidents

It was bad luck for Mrs S. Alleyne when Giltini played up in the float on the way to Hastings, resulting in a badly skinned leg which will put him out for some months. Giltini, who went w'ell at Levin, was to have competed at other circuit shows. Teams’ jumping The Halswell branch of the Christchurch Pony Club held its first teams jumping tournament with the 12 teams competing providing excellent competition. The Springston No. 1 side of S. Boulten (Mickey), J. Wheeler (Brandy), J. Foster (Felicity). M. Aidfield (Puzzle), V. Hughes (Raro), and S. David (Expel) had a decisive win over Halswell’s team of G. Heard (Tinkerbelle), S. Owens (Musket), A. Short (Frosty), S. Sheppard (Oliver Twist), L. Gordon (Bellcara), and E. Smith (Near Go). Springston No. 2 was third and Waihora fourth. Other branches to compete were Belfast, Cheviot, Ferrymead (2), Windsor, Riccarton, Fen dalton (2), and Halswell No. 2. Captain Webber The Canterbury area of the New Zealand Horse Society is indeed grateful to Captain Webber, the chairman of the 8.5. A.. for giving so much of his time and knowledge to horse society members. Over 150 people gathered at Yaldhurst last week to hear an interesting and informative talk by Captain Webber on his impressions of show jumping in New Zealand after attending circuit shows at Waimate, Rangiora, Levin and Hastings.