Sophie Scott and Wendi Williamson are adding more booty to their trophy cabinets after winning the Nationwide Cup and Lowry Medallion.
Sophie, who took the quinella in both the Olympic Cup and Silver Fern Stakes with her horses Waitangi Skynet and Benrose Stellar, was a clear winner of the Nationwide Cup, finishing nine points ahead of Vicki Wilson, with Emily Oliver a further 15 back.
There was also a nine-point differential between first and second in the Lowry Medallion with Wendi, who won the Dressage Horse of the Year with Don Vito MH among other titles and placings, first, Ellie McDonald second and Piper Crake in third, four points further back.
The Nationwide Trophy was donated by Maurice Beatson and named for his horse of the same name who twice won the Olympic Cup (1983 and 1984). It is awarded to the rider gaining the most points in open jumping competitions across the show with double points from the Defender Arena.
Legend has it Nationwide, who was previously owned by the Hansen brothers, dropped his rider Kevin Hansen three times at the Taihape Show and was offered for sale to anyone who was handy as he came out of the ring – that person happened to be Maurice who went on to enjoy a lot of success with the rather headstrong horse. Vicki Wilson has won the Nationwide Trophy seven times in its 26-year history.
The Lowry Medallion was donated by Mr JN Lowry and was first awarded as the President’s Spurs Trophy before becoming what it is known as today. Merran Hain has won the medallion an impressive nine times, including six on the trot between 1981 and 1986.
It is presented to the rider gaining the most points at the show across all ESNZ disciplines – jumping, dressage, eventing, show hunter and para-equestrian.