Thompson On His Way to New Zealand HOYS Title after Winning 2017 CDI Hastings Grand Prix

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2017 CDI Hastings

A grey and drizzly afternoon at 2017 New Zealand Horse of the Year show in Hastings, New Zealand, on Friday 10 March 2017, saw the start of the big tour competition with the CDI Grand Prix. Last year's winners, John Thompson and Antonello topped the board and are well on their way to winning the consecutive New Zealand Horse of the Year Show champion's title.

The line-up was somewhat diminished after several withdrawals: Wendi Williamson, who had two entered, flew out earlier in the week to join her horse Dejavu MH in England to begin preparation for their World Cup Final start in Omaha at the end of the month. Other scratchings included Tracy Smith and Don Diego DC, Penny Castle’s BL About Time and Rio Olympian Julie Brougham, her horse Vom Feinsten still recovering from a minor suspensory injury.

This left a field of seven starters, with Kate Tobin and her 10-year old Hanoverian bred I Like It (by Iberio x Wolkenstein II) first up. Tobin was Young Rider champion in 2013 and did a good job on her chestnut gelding, notably her one-time changes and tidy zigzag (61.98). Next in was last year’s winner John Thompson and his 15-year old Hanoverian gelding Antonello (by Anamour x Winnebago), who are currently in 99th place on the FEI rankings. They put up what was to be the winning score of 69.52. Coping well with the untimely and very loud prizegiving in the showjumping ring next door, Penny Castle and the 13-year old Holsteiner bred Magnus Spero (by Lubeck x Rocadero) rode a respectable 65.9% test which would earn them third place.

Castle was followed by Vanessa Way, 14-year old Hanoverian Arawn (by Anamour x Carousel) displaying some powerful passage and much improved piaffe but an expensive error in their two time changes proved costly (65.34). Ever-on-form Abbie Deken chased Thompson into second place on 15-year old Hanoverian bred KH Ambrose (by Anamour x Winterkonig): he looked a little strong and distracted at times with the atmosphere in the Oval, and she managed him well for her 67.42 score. Popular 12-year old Lusitano stallion Ali Baba (by Hostil x Invulgar) put up 64.5 with Jody Hartstone, their consistent test marred only by a miss in their one time changes.

Last was William Millar and 14-year old Hanoverian Raukura Satori MH (by De Niro x Genius) who showed some lovely regular piaffe and passage, and of course their spectacular extended trot, finishing on 64.9. With every competitor scoring above 60% this means they will all go through to tomorrow’s CDI Grand Prix Special.

In the Young Riders division hot favourite Lucarne Dolley had to scratch Devils Chocolate due to lameness and Hannah Van Der Horst and Moby’ll Do were eliminated due to blood in the mouth, the gelding unfortunately biting his tongue. A decision is still pending as to whether she can continue through to tomorrows CDI-Y FEI Young Rider Individual Test. The win went to the only other competitor, Auckland’s Caitlin Benzie on her attractive dapple grey, 14-year old New Zealand bred Rosari Royal Gem (by Royal Diamond x Gymnastic Star), the circumstances in no way detracting from their beautiful 65.605 test.