Quirky Character Takes Express Eventing Crown

Cambridge solicitor Nick Brooks was “surprised and thrilled” to win the inaugural Kubota EQUITANA Auckland New Zealand Open Express Eventing crown.

He was the first out in the 15-strong field, but says today it certainly played to his advantage.

Riders did a dressage test, before heading to the warm-up arena for a set time, then on to a cross country course followed by the showjumping. They could gain extra points in that final stage by jumping a joker fence, which if cleared could take faults off their tallies, however, a dropped rail came at a hefty price.

Brooks was unsure how his 10-year-old horse For Fame would cope with the atmosphere.

“We have never done anything like this before, so it was a bit of an unknown,” he said. “He can be quite a hot horse but he was super focused out there. It was just amazing – and a fantastic showcase for our sport.”

The cross country component of the class was designed by John Nicholson – brother of world class eventer Andrew, who is a star presenter at EQUITANA Auckland. “It was a very smart course but was safe but still asked good questions.”

The cross country took combinations up a small bank and along in front of hospitality marquees before heading back down into the sandy arena.

“It was cool he ran us up along the grass. There was a lot going on in the ring.”

Brooks has had For Fame since he was a three-year-old.

“He is a very quirky little character. He has all the talent in the world but getting the balance between the brain and that talent has been a long term project. He is very affected by everything but a real worker. Now he is older and a bit more mature, he is coming into his own. It’s nice to come out and be competitive in a class like this.”

Brooks and For Fame finished on 36.3 penalty points, with Samantha Felton (Matangi) and Ricker Ridge Divine Right was second on 41.94, with Emily Cammock (Christchurch) and Shaw Lee third on 42.17.

Results –

Kubota EQUITANA New Zealand Open Express Eventing: Nick Brooks (Cambridge) For Fame 36.3 penalty points 1, Samantha Felton (Matangi) Ricker Ridge Divine Right 41.94 2, Emily Cammock (Christchurch) Shaw Lee 42.17 3, Holly Morrell (Taupo) Pampero 43.61 4, Christen Lane (Auckland) Kinnordy Rhani 48.56 5, Abby Lawrence (Te Puke) Indy RE 48.74 6.