As a youngster, Charlotte Penny dreamt of the day she would win a title at the Defender Horse of the Year Show . . . well, that day has come and the 22-year-old from Karaka is the newly crowned Eventer of the Year.
“It is a really big deal to me (to win) and means a lot to me,” she says.
Charlotte and Festival led the dressage on 30.4, falling frustratingly just short of a personal best, added nothing in the showjumping and just 5.2 time in the Chris Ross designed cross country to finish on 35.6. Her nearest competition was runner-up Donna Edwards-Smith aboard MSE Mendoza on 50.6 with Bridie Quigley and Oranoa Greyson third on 61.9.
Winning the 4* Eventer of the Year crown also earned her the Sir Mark Todd Trophy.
Charlotte feels a little frustrated to have fallen just short of a dressage PB. “We were on track but both walk pirouettes didn’t go well and we were late behind in a change. I really wanted to get a sub 30!”
Seven of the original 10 starters completed all three tests, and Charlotte’s 5.2 time penalties was the best effort on the cross country. “The ground (for the cross country) did make it feel a lot harder out there. It did slow you down and with the added atmosphere and twists and turns it always feels hectic.”
As last to go in the 4* class, Charlotte says she had no interest in what had gone on before her. “I feel it can put doubt in my mind so I go out with a solid plan and stick to it as much as I can. It keeps me calm and focused. It you listen to outside noise it mucks with your focus. My plan was to go as fast as I could but take time where we needed to nail the combinations. Last year I got too frazzled with everything and tried to rush the important bits.”
She felt she had gone as fast as she could. “Given the conditions you can only push it so much.”
Charlotte is contemplating another Australian campaign to the Melbourne 4* in June.
The combo won the national three day Taupo earlier this year and previously won a CCI3*-L in Australia.
Charlotte bought Festival – or Sparky as she’s known at home – from Paris Olympic Games reserve Monica Spencer with whom she based with after completing school. Monica competed Festival to 3* and the mare brought Charlotte through from 95cm to 4*.
“Sparky is a very sensitive mare so if you do something she gets grumpy but she really has been incredibly patient with me as I have learnt,” said Charlotte.
“Monica has had a huge influence on my riding and having that constant training when I based with her really helped progress me. Her moving to the United States was a big adjustment for me.”
She now trains with Wendi Williamson on the flat, Jeff McVean for showjumping and Heelan Tompkins for cross country and at shows.
Charlotte was hugely grateful for the support of her parents Kellie and John, her groom Jade Urbhan and her coaches.
Her next big step will be to move to the UK in April 2026 to experience as many world class tracks as she can with an eye to making future World Champs and Olympic teams.
Results:
801 DEFENDER CCI4*-S
Charlotte Penny (Auckland) Festival 1; Donna Edwards-Smith (Waerenga) DSE Mendoza 2; Bridie Quigley (Auckland) Oranoa Greyson 3; Scout Lodder (Papakura) Overnight Success 4; Brittany Fowler (Ashburton/Hamilton) Game Keeper 5; Mackenzie Marlo (Auckland) CHS Diplomat 6; Kelli Frewin (Hawke’s Bay) Hidden Gold 7.
802 DEFENDER CCI3*-S
Tessa Bradcock (Piopio) Ceremony 1; Carys McCrory (Hawke’s Bay) Nemesis 2; Codie White (Taupo) Small Talk KSNZ 3; Holly McInnes (Piopio)Pop It 4; Donna Edwards-Smith (Waerenga) DSE Tommy Thomson 5; Mackenzie Marlo (Auckland) DSE Presley 6; Helen McGrath (Whangarei) Woodbine Magic Maze 7.
803 DEFENDER CCI2*-S
Amy Gotts-Wheeler (Australia) Sharvalley Wild Thing 1; Donna Edwards-Smith (Waerenga) DSE Duke of Seville 2; Mia Cadwallader (Coatesville, Auckland) Mirrabella Molly 3; Kate Fleming (Pauatahanui) Chanel Xtreme 4; Charlotte van der Zwan (Whangarei) Conway GNZ 5; Elise Edwards-Smith (Waerenga) DSE Permissive 6; Brittany Fowler (Ashburton/Hamilton) I’m Xtreme 7.
For full results www.evoevents.co.nz
