GREAT JUMPING

Waikato Times, Volume 123, Issue 20639, 28 October 1938, Page 9

GREAT JUMPING

HUNTERS SEEK TITLE DOMINION CHAMPIONSHIP FIRST HEAT IN SLIPPERY GOING Greatest equestrian jumping event ever staged in New Zealand, the Dominion Jumping Championship brought some of the finest hunters in New Zealand to the arena of the Royal Show at Claudelands yesterday afternoon and to- day when the heats of the big title event were decided. Twenty fine horses were sent over the fences yesterday afternoon in the first heat when the standard of jumping was excellent despite the fact that the going was a little too slippery after the morning rain to allow the horses to show their real worth. Later in the contest the turf dryed out remarkably well but any advantage gained in this way was somewhat offset by the slightly cut up ground as a result of the earlier hurdling in the rain. The high-spirited mounts were at their best in taking the six fences, the wire jump and the double. The results of the first heat were:—*

Jock Wilson's D’Artagnan 1, Alec Walker’s Kia Ora 2, Dr. A. Eisdell Moore’s Beaufort 3, Miss D. Davidson's Big Bertha 4, John McLean’s Gambler 5. Those five horses qualified with the five horses placed in the second heat to-day to enter the final which will be staged to-morrow afternoon. Over the Fences The successful competitor D’Artagnan displayed a technique in jumping which, under the conditions, was bril - liant and every obstacle was taken with confident smoothness. He showed form which rivalled that of the best displayed by the former leading jumper in New Zealand, Toby, the classic mount of Mrs T. L. Ranstead, which, unfortunately, was scratched yesterday owing to an injured fetlock. Un the slippery ground Toby would have been seen at his best. Kia Ora cleared each jump smoothly In his particular style of hanging a little in the air and he should give a grand display to-morrow. Beaufort had gained other successes in the earlier jumping events yesterday and while the display in the big event was excellent it was not of the standard of the other two higher placed competitors, whose performances were outstanding from those of the rest of the field which, with only a few exceptions, was fairly uniform and separated by only the slightest of margins. A knowledge of jumping which should make her outstanding in the hunting field was revealed by Big Bertha, who gave a sound performance over the round. The horse placed fifth in the heat, the Whangarei entry Gambler, had very few blemishes over the sticks and will be watched eagerly by the followers of the big jump final to-morrow. Horses Unplaced Among the unplaced competitors in the big field were some fine hunters who would, no doubt, have been seen in better form had the turf been less slippery. Among this number was Brian Banks 1 Penny Plain, which made only one mistake to spoil the round. Miss Paton's Miss Pat displayed excellent form also, while J. R. Townsend’s Monoplane and J. E. Welch’s Lady Carina capably handled the going. Mrs G. C. Merrin’s Two Step is still a good performer but showed its age a little yesterday. R. Hartley’s Snowstorm showed improved form but was not ridden into the jumps as well as it might have been. Other competitors also revealed some great jumping.