Sophie Scott is hoping she hasn’t peaked too early after scooping up the Norwood Gold Cup at the first ‘biggie’ of the Defender Horse of the Year Show.
Ten of the original 37 starters came back for the jump-off – eight on zero faults and two on a single time fault apiece. The dark skies opened for the jump-off but it didn’t seem to slow anyone down. Maurice Beatson and Starlight Django were the first to go double clear, stopping the clock at 56.55.
Sophie and her ever-consistent 12-year-old mare Benrose Stellar were next out and zipped around with some very slick turns to come home clear in 48.12 seconds. Makenzie Causer and Dolce Del Colle was the next to leave everything in place with so fantastic lines in their 50.96-second effort.
Laura Inkster and Rodrigo MVNZ stepped things up a notch with their clean 49.04-second round, with Julie Davey and LT Holst Freda giving it their all to nudge the leaders but coming up just short for third.
It is the first time Sophie has won the Norwood Gold Cup and it could have been thanks to her Christchurch based grandparents Gaye and Des Skine being ringside at their first-ever HOY, bringing her that little extra luck.
“It was a great class,” said Sophie. “It’s a great start to the show for us. I just hope I haven’t peaked too early.”
She had plenty of praise for Aussie Mark Atkins’ courses saying they had jumped really well. “I always ride to win, especially when there is a competitive bunch behind me. It was a good class. I love it when they are competitive like that.”
Super groom Jenni Calver donated a prize for the winning groom, which was shared between her behind the scenes team Charlotte Miles, Chloe Armstrong and Ana McVerry.
Sophie Scott (Palmerston North) Benrose Stellar 1; Laura Inkster (Clevedon)Rodrigo MVNZ 2; Julie Davey (Hastings) LT Holst Freda 3; Makenzie Causer (Christchurch) Dolce Del Colle 4; Maurice Beatson (Dannevirke) Starlight Django 5; Emma Gillies (Oamaru) Lafayet Ego Z 6; Tyla Hackett (Cambridge) Global PH Cocofino 7; Heloise Tolo (Wellington) Cant Touch This NZPH 8; Logan Massie (Dannevirke) Bravado Ego Z 9; Sophie Scott (Palmerston North) Normandy GHP 10.
For full results
