EVENTING CANTERBURY

SOUTH ISLAND THREE DAY EVENT

Friday, April 22 – Sunday, April 25

Sheds NZ National Equestrian Centre, McLeans Island, Christchurch

   The Australian Young Rider team have arrived safely and are ready to do battle against New Zealand’s leading young eventers for the bi-annual Trans Tasman Young Rider Challenge this weekend in Christchurch.

   Both teams are now based at the Sheds NZ NEC at McLeans in preparation for the competition which gets underway with the dressage phase on Friday as part of the NZCT South Island FEI Three Day Event.

   The pinnacle of the South Island eventing calendar, the Trans Tasman Young Rider Challenge is the highlight of this year’s event. Run in conjunction with the CCI2* class, competition between the two great rivals is expected to be second to none with the Australian’s looking to regain the trophy having lost it on home soil at Camperdown last year.

   Aside from the Trans Tasman Young Rider Challenge, the event has also attracted strong fields vying for top honours and also vital points towards qualifying for the National Three Day Event at Taupo next month. It also marks the finish of the Mitavite Vitamite Cool Performer Challenge for Novice and Pre Novice horses which has been running all season.

   Despite just the four starters, the CIC3* should be a strong competition between the islands with Canterbury’s Emily Butcher and Brent Jury coming up against tough opposition from Olympian Matthew Grayling and Sam Taylor, both who have travelled down to compete from the North Island.

   Outside of the Trans Tasman competitors the Tavern Harewood CCI2* will also include a number of the country’s top eventers. Defending champion Emily Butcher of West Melton has both Benjamin James and My Shout entered but she will face some stiff competition from compatriot Kate Cavanagh on Mendelssohn, who has been in strong form this season.

   The DEVI Heating System CCI1* is also well supported with Kirsty Ogilvie and teenager James Avery joining Butcher and Cavanagh as the main South Island hopes up against a strong field including northern visitors Sam Taylor with the talented youngster Leo Degas. Avery is the current leader of the Mitavite Vitamite Cool Performer Challenge, although Cavanagh is within striking distance, lying second with the consistent Gibraltar Rock.

   Entries across the rest of the classes will be hotly contested with large fields throughout.

   The South Island Three Day Event proper will be officially opened by Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker at 9am on Friday, April 23, just prior to the trot up for the CCI2*, followed by the dressage phase, which is scheduled to start at 11.45am.

   The thrilling cross country phase scheduled to start at 9.30am on Saturday. With the final day of the competition falling on Anzac Day an official service is to be held onsite at McLeans Island on Sunday; starting at 8am, followed by the critical show jumping phase, which will bring the competition to a close.

   Entry is free on all days and the cross country is accessible, providing the public with a perfect opportunity to see some of the South Island’s leading eventers and Australasia’s future champions in action without having to travel far from the centre of the city.

*The South Island Three Day Event and Trans Tasman Challenge competition got underway today (Thursday, April 22) with the prestigious Saddlery Barn South Island Young Eventer, taken out by Canterbury’s Emily Butcher with the five-year-old Littorio gelding Lewis bred and owned by Neil Sword.

Aimed at finding the eventing stars of the future the class was judged over dressage, show jumping, movement and conformation, and gallop suitable for cross country. Australian Clare Lewin and Col. Fuangvich Aniruth-Deva Sam of Thailand judged the dressage phase, with head of the ground jury Bill Phiskie the show jumping; Olympian and World Champion Blyth Tait was responsible for judging the confirmation and movement.

Despite being extremely green, the big gelding impressed the judges with Butcher leading throughout the competition after a strong dressage performance.

Wellington visitor Douglas Thomson, who is part of the Trans Tasman Young Rider team, finished runner-up with his second horse Grand Jury, who is by Merlin Masterpiece, with a consistent performance across all phases including the gallop.

Eve Hawes and Hurlingham Lansong finished third, and also took out the Best Placed Mare award.

The Best Placed Four-Year-Old went to Brent Jury on Astek Gazeni, who is part-owned by Canterbury’s Astek Stud by the stud’s resident sire Kinnordy Gym Bello.

RESULTS: Saddlery Barn SI Young Event Horse Championship – Emily Butcher (Canterbury), Lewis, 1; Douglas Thomson (Wellington), Grand Jury, 2; Eve Hawes (West Coast), Hurlingham Lansong, 3; Emily Butcher (Canterbury), Shaw Thing, 4; Brent Jury (Canterbury), Astek Gazeni, 5; William Bragg (South Canterbury), Pintado Pretty Boy, 6.

Results will be sent out each day at the conclusion of the day’s competition and at the close of the event.

For further information:

Eventing Canterbury Media Liaison – Annie Studholme

   P: 03 3037379

   M: 021 0407620

   E:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

   Or

   Sarah Bromley

   P: 03 325 5837

   M: 027 292 6161

   E:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Annie Studholme

Equine Photographer & Journalist

Coldstream, RD 3, Ashburton

www.anniestudholme.com

P 03 3037379

F 03 3037016

M 021 0407620