Kimberley Bird and Cera Cassina after winning a round of the FEI World Cup in Taupo. Photo supplied.Kimberley Bird returned home recently from a five-week trip in the North Island where she’s been mixing it with some of the big names in the equestrian world. One golden result in Taupo though has elevated her into the spotlight to join those she’s been competing against. Matt Markham caught up with the Ashburton rider to discuss her success.

She’s a tough old game the equestrian world.

Hours spent on the road, travelling from one show to the next tacking up horse after horse all the while dreaming of getting that clear round that brings you to the judges’ attention.

For many, it’s a pipe-dream – there might be visions of one day riding at Badminton, or wearing the Silver Fern of New Zealand, but it’s a brutal sport which can spit you out as quickly as it swallowed you up.

So success, wherever it might come is important. And needs to be celebrated.

But when you succeed on the biggest of stages, it’s even more important as it’s something which very few get the opportunity to achieve and for Ashburton rider, Kimberley Bird, December has been one of those months.

Bird returned to her Mid Canterbury home just prior to Christmas having ticked off the biggest moment of her still very young career in the saddle when she claimed victory in the fourth round of the FEI World Cup at the Taupo Christmas Classic.

But for the 23-year-old it wasn’t just a moment where years of experience in New Zealand’s most elite and toughest show jumping series came to fruition.

Instead, she was having just her second start in the series and emerged on top of 12 of New Zealand’s best riders, jumping at heights of between 1.4 metres and 1.6 metres.

“It was pretty amazing,” Bird said.

“Even just to be competing at that level, let alone winning, it was a surreal feeling and one which probably still hasn’t really sunk in.

“I went into it with no real expectations, I just wanted to enjoy it and see what happened but it unfolded pretty quickly and all of a sudden I was the winner.”

Riding her 10-year-old Holsteiner mare, Cera Cassina, or Beezie as she’s known around home, Bird was one of four riders to receive a fault for knocking off a rail in the first round of the competition.

That put her in the box seat if she was able to produce a clear jump in the second round and as the second last rider in the competition, she headed out into the arena with it all to play for.

“She (Beezie) jumped like an absolute superstar.

“I couldn’t believe how well she handled it.

“She knew exactly what she was doing and went out there and did it like an old pro and we got the clear round and there was only one rider left after me, so we didn’t have to wait too long.”

When that rider, Briar Burnett-Grant of Taupo, collected a rail at the last fence, Bird was declared the winner – much to her delight.

“That initial feeling, that was pretty special and it’s something I hope I get to feel a few more times yet too.”

The win while a surprise, probably shouldn’t have been.

Cera Cassina had been in hot form winning the 1.45 metre class the day before the World Cup event and then had also been victorious the week prior at the National Young Horse Show winning the one star 1.4 metre FEI class.

“She’s a real pro.

“She’s got a bit of mind of her own at times and can be a bit of a hot head, but she’s got a beautiful action and knows what she’s doing.”

The World Cup Series now moves to Dannevirke early January for the grand final where there are points-and-a-half on offer.

However, just the best four scores count for riders, and each of the four in contention for the series crown carry a drop score.

The winner of the league has the opportunity to represent New Zealand at the World Cup Final in Las Vegas next year.

Back in Ashburton for the festive season, Bird was looking back at a strong 2019 calendar year but also had a casual eye on what lies ahead in 2020 where she will now be known as a force to be reckoned with on the annual circuit.

With no real major competitions at the ultimate heights in the South Island, she’s forced to travel a lot to compete if she wants to hone her craft and that means a massive undertaking from not only herself, but also her family.

“I’ve got some pretty amazing support around me, Mum (Kate) and Dad (Alan) are incredible and then there’s the wider network of people who all step up and make sure things are ticking over at home for me.”

A noted breeder of her own stock, Bird likes to produce and develop her own horses for the ring.

While it might be easier in some instances to purchase ready-made show horses, the satisfaction of achieving huge results on a horse you’ve moulded and grown yourself far outweighs everything else.

“I’m a bit of a breeder.

“I had one born on Christmas Eve while we were crossing the Cook Strait, but doing the job on a horse that you’ve bred and raised yourself is extremely satisfying and a really special part of it all.”

In between the riding and schooling, Bird doesn’t have much time for anything else, but is currently working while doing a little bit of study on the side, but she would probably admit that her full attention is more on the remaining events of the showing season.

Upcoming features include the National Championships in Christchurch, a trip to Marlborough among other events and everything culminating in the annual Horse of the Year competition.

And after the result in Taupo, the name Kimberley Bird won’t just be another on the entry sheet, but instead one which everyone will be out to keep an eye on.

© The Ashburton Guardian - 31 December 2019