The ESNZ leading mare series for elite competition mares is decided on points gained in the Premier League and Grand Prix series and, for the second year running, it was won by one of the jump circuit’s most reliable performers, the Holsteiner LT Holst Andrea (Casall - Palaune x Lavaletto, Stam 2067). This very impressive mare was bred by Hans-Joachim Gerken of Hammoor, and is jointly owned by her rider Brooke Edgecombe, and Lake Taupo Holsteiner’s Ewen MacIntosh.

Andrea, now 10, began her NZ career in 2015, winning her first Grand Prix the following year, and showing massive potential by 2017. Since then, she has seldom been far from the winners’ circle. Edgecombe describes her as ‘very laid-back’ and a straightforward ride. “She’s been super all season; really consolidated at that (Grand Prix) height now.” And, keep an eye out for LT Holst Andrea’s progeny: Two Colman daughters, LT Holst Freda and LT Holst Francis, both born in 2014, plus LT Holst Elizabeth (Clinton) born in 2013 – a young mare who is already a winner.

Freda and Francis were a double flush – and probably a very lucky one: Freda proven her ability by winning the four-year-old championship at the young horse show earlier this season – the only horse out of 28 to complete three days of jumping without a single fault. LT Holst Francis was broken in by the Edgecombes, but has since had a filly by the fabulous Emerald. Once this foal is weaned, the mare will return to the Edgecombes and resume her education.

Another couple of beautiful LT Holst mares attracting very favourable attention are the six-year-olds LT Holst Teacher’s Pet (Centrico - River x Senator VDL) and LT Holst Elsbeth (Cascadello - Beryl x Corrado). Both with some great wins,  Teacher’s Pet is, in fact, the leading six-year-old of the season (see below), while Elsbeth shares 19th place in the big field with Andrea’s Clinton daughter, LT Holst Elizabeth.

“Ewen [MacIntosh] has invested a lot of time and money into breeding top-quality horses for New Zealand riders,” Brooke Edgecombe says. “It’s a real passion.” Ewen MacIntosh himself says “I’m extremely proud of what LT Holst Andrea has achieved under the guidance of Brooke Edgecombe. They’re a fantastic combination, which is shown in their results this season, including winning the leading mare series for the second year in a row. A big shout out to VDL and Equibreed for sponsoring the prize. We use Dr. Lee Morris’s expertise in our breeding programme and very much consider her an important part of the team”. LT Holst Andrea finished second in this year’s World Cup (NZ), second in the ESNZ Grand Prix series, third in the ESNZ Premier League and won the leading mare series on 187 points – a long way clear of her rivals...To read the complete article you need to be a subscriber

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