Picking the right horse in a string of extremely talented jumpers has been a challenge for Sophie Scott, but on Friday she decided to switch things up a bit and correctly nominated Normandy GHP for the win. Her other mount Benrose Stellar (the winner last weekend) was sixth.
The opening round of the Isabela Rothenberger-designed course produced clears from Sophie and Normandy, Kimberley Carrington (Takapau) on Double J Typhoon, and Makenzie Causer (Christchurch) aboard Dolce Del Colle. Three other combinations were on four faults and the remainder on eight.
Laying down the challenge
Sophie and her warmblood Normandy were first out in the second round and knew they had to lay a decent challenge for the others to chase. A rail at the last saw them finish on four faults in 56.9 seconds.
While those carrying four faults adding nothing to their tallies, they couldn’t match Normandy’s time. Last to go was Makenzie and her imported mare, whose efficient round looked on track until fence five fell leaving them on four faults from their 60.28 second round for runner-up. In third was Julie Davey (Hastings) and LT Holst Freda on four in 61.25 seconds.
“Today I thought I would nominate the one who didn’t go as well last week and it worked,” said a very happy Sophie Scott. “They are all superstars. I am lucky to have the three amazing horses I do have. They all have their own individual quirks, and I love each of them for that.”
Normandy GHP, by Nabab de Reve out of Sundance GHP (Stolzenberg), was bred at Glen Haven Park by Queenslander Olivia Hamood and Sophie purchased the gelding from Oliver and Brooke Edgecombe.
World Championships on the horizon
Sophie’s focus for the season is the World Cup series and now that she has her qualification (FEI MER) making her available for selection for next year’s FEI World Championships, she may look to go further abroad.
She thanked the Plaw family for two “great” weeks of jumping at Takapoto.
The next World Cup Qualifier is at the Taupo World Cup Show (November 29) with Australian Mark Atkins as the designer.
Results – ClipMyHorse.TV FEI World Cup (NZ League), second qualifier:
1. Sophie Scott (Palmerston North) Normandy GHP
2. Makenzie Causer (Christchurch) Dolce Del Colle
3. Julie Davey (Hastings) LT Holst Freda
4. Kimberley Carrington (Takapau) Double J Typhoon
5. Francesca Corich (Wellington) Bannockburn ECPH
6. Sophie Scott (Palmerston North) Benrose Stellar 6
