By Sally Reid
Photography: © Agence Ecary; Kampic

These annual awards were introduced in 2021 and are given by the New Zealand Warmblood Association in recognition of performance excellence at national and international level in jumping, eventing and dressage.

This year more than 40 horses met the Association’s qualifying criteria, and they represented establishments and individuals from one end of the country to the other, ranging from the biggest sport horse studs to the hopeful ‘hobby’ breeders. All received a special plaque, and the winners of the three categories were awarded trophies and cash prizes.
The qualifiers included international and top-level performers as well as youngsters, and this article recognizes all the winning horses in the three disciplines.

Showjumping: Takapoto Gold In

Takapoto Gold In (Check In - Claire x Chasseur I), represents his breeders Takapoto Equestrian. This young horse began his career in New Zealand but is now in Europe and has had two six-year-old wins at CSIYH1* in Oliva. He is ridden by Samantha McIntosh, who has a special connection to the lovely chestnut: she competed both his sire and dam at World Cup level.
His Hanoverian dam, Claire (Chasseur I - Mondolina x Goldstern), was bred in Germany by Fenna Schulte-Landwehr, and born in 2003. Her mare line is MALWE, O 181 Jurgat - Gr. Plauschwarren.
Claire is the dam of several other horses, including Takapoto Tinka (Cassiano) who is a 1m55 jumper; Takapoto Cartier (Cartell GNZ), an eight-year-old mare; the four-year-old gelding Takapoto Hendricks (Hector van d’Abdijhoeve); and a full sister to Gold In – Takapoto Saffron who has a very nice six-year-old season.
Takapoto Gold In’s sire, the excellent Check In 2 (Cordalme Z - Ilonka/Lila x Lord Pezi) is an Oldenburg bred in Germany by Gilbert Böckmann, and was ridden by Sam McIntosh at the highest international levels. The pair won the Abu Dhabi leg of the 2018 Nations Cup for New Zealand.

Check In is from Stamm 2192107, Schridde 381. He has a pedigree full of jumping talent on both sides. His mother Ilonka/Lila competed at 1m45. She is by the influential Lord Pezi, who in turn is by the prolific winner Lacros.
Check In’s sire Cordalmé Z – a son of Cor de la Bryère and an Almé mare – jumped internationally with Gilbert Böckmann. A full brother to Check In, Check Up 3 (a gelding), is competing at 1m55 with Vincent Elbers... To read the complete article you need to be a subscriber
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