Standardbreds on Show

Rochelle Groufsky – A Patchie Native (owned by Natasha Bol)

5th December saw the running of the Annual Standardbred Show run by the New Zealand Standardbred Riding Assn Inc.

Held at Courtney Show Grounds 35 Standardbreds competed for top honours in five different sections. The two in-hand rings had 25 compete and the ridden had 22 compete across the three rings (beginner, novice and open)

With over 50% of the entries having raced in their former life 10 were winners on the track winning just under 30 races between them. The youngest horse to compete on the day Melissa Whyte’s ‘Native’s Raging Beauty’ (Raging Bull x Native’s Snow Beauty) took home Youngstock Champion, whilst the oldest Natasha Bol’s ‘Dancing Jonty’ (Dancing Master x Jonty Jo) took home Champion Led Adult 158cm & under.

Presentation and the quality of the standardbreds competing was high and the 3 judges had a hard task picking out overall Champion Best Presented In-hand – Rochelle Groufsky with Alzair Razzo (Pacific Rocket x Motoring Away) and Ridden Best Presented the DeFilippi Family with ‘Nucleus VC’ (Washington VC x Smart Atom)

Up and Coming Champion was contested between the two lower level Ridden Ring Champions – Beginner Ridden Champion Imogen Masters riding ‘Unico Pocket Rocket’ (Monkey Bones x Brite Autumn) and Novice Ring Champion Haylee Horton riding ‘Little Mo’ (Courage Under Fire x Kahlum) with Haylee Horton taking out the sash

Haylee was also the overall Champion Ridden Novice.

Rochelle Groufsky rode A Patchie Native to Champion Open Ridden 158cm and under.

Top honours of the day went to the DeFilippi Family taking home In-hand Champion Adult over 158cm and Supreme In-hand Champion with ‘Eagles Nest’ (Christian Cullen x Ascot Cam).

Further success came with Open Ridden Champion over 158cm, Ridden Paced & Mannered Champion and Supreme Champion Ridden with ‘Nucleus VC’ (Washington VC x Smart Atom)

DeFilippi Family – Nucleus VC

The New Zealand Standardbred Riding Assn Inc. would like to thank the sponsors for this show, their on-going support of the show is invaluable:

  • The Mad Acre – Fresh Fruit & Vegetables, 314 Prestons Rd.
  • Colin & Julie DeFilippi Harness Racing Stables
  • Jaimee & Natalie Gameson Racing Stables
  • Burwood Produce – Horse & Pony Supplies, 172 Mairehau Rd
  • Paula Doherty – Pure Equine
  • Nevele R StudArticle | Miranda Trezise | Photo credit K Wallis-Dunne (K A Photography)