Spectators
News
Article Search
On The Point Right On The Money
Back to Article Search
CAPTION:
Phillip Steiner and On the Point Bijoux. Photo: Cheleken Photography
On The Point Right On The Money
Phillip Steiner rode On The Point Bijoux to a brilliant double clear to take the NRM Premier Stakes but also the very special Tom Gadsby Memorial Trophy.
The trophy was first presented in 2014 by his family in honour of the 26-year-old who was fatally injured in a fall during the cross country phase of an event in the UK in August 2013.
While Steiner didn’t know Gadsby well, he says as a father, the tragedy hits close to home.
“I feel for his family.”
Twenty started the class, with six coming through to the jump-off, and only three of those sitting on zero faults.
Steiner and his beautiful nine-year-old grey mare, who is owned by Jaime Main, were the last to go.
The first round he had just focused on leaving everything up.
“It was a really tough track and very technical.”
On The Point Bijoux only landed in New Zealand at Labour Weekend, and since then Steiner has worked closely with Greg Best schooling and training the horse.
“I had Greg help me all week and when it comes to technical, he is the person,” says Steiner. “It was just super – he warmed us up and walked the courses with me. A lot of this success is thanks to him.”
In the jump-off, newly-crowned Lady Rider of the Year Lisa Cubitt and Bates Amaretto MVNZ dropped two rails to finish on eight faults in 43.37 seconds. Next out was Bridget Hansen (Ocean Beach) and Toulon NZPH who went clear to finish with just their four faults from the first round in 49.81.
Claire Wilson (Waipukurau) and McMillans Tipsey added another four to their tally to sit on eight in 46.78, while Ella Varcoe (Auckland) and Astek Incahoots added five to finish on 13.
It came down to the last two riders – Mathew Gilmour (Matangi) and Cuba D Esquelmes Z took a rail to sit on four faults in 44.83. Steiner had to go clear to take the class.
“I went as quick as I could go without knocking a rail – it all went so quickly!”
He finished with a clean slate, and in 48.49 seconds.
It is the first time Steiner has even placed in the Premier Stakes, and was his only win of the show.
“It was a good show but that was the only thing I won all weekend. My horses, for their experience, were jumping at their highest heights. I could have dropped down, but instead pushed them for bigger and brighter things next season.”
And he’s hopeful On The Point Bijoux will be doing World Cup classes in future.
“It’s about getting to know her and learning what I can and can’t do with her really.”
On The Point Bijoux was ‘found’ by his wife Sally for the owner. The mare, by Indorado, was bred in Holland, and it just worked out that Phillip ended up riding her.
“We have been on a bit of a rebuild in recent seasons,” he says.
The couple are known for their careful preparation and training of their horses. Sally won two show hunter classes and was runner-up in the Show Hunter of the Year class, as well as placing fourth in the 1.4m class early in the show.
“It rounds out a pretty nice season for us,” says Steiner. “This win is one I didn’t see coming!”
ends
