EVENTING CANTERBURY

SOUTH ISLAND THREE DAY EVENT

Friday, April 22 – Sunday, April 25

Sheds NZ National Equestrian Centre, McLeans Island, Christchurch

The New Zealand Young Rider eventing team has pulled back to lead the Trans Tasman Young Rider Challenge going into the penultimate show jumping phase tomorrow.

Coming from a 1.9 down after the dressage, the Kiwi team produced some top performances across country in the trying wet conditions, which forced the Tavern Harewood CCI 2* class to be brought forward.

Ashburton’s Larissa Srhoy on Starburst leads the way for the New Zealanders, leading the Tavern Harewood CCI2* competition with 50 penalty points, having jumped clear and adding just two time penalties. Taumaruni’s AshleighMcKinstry on Poineer Makokomiko were first out for the New Zealanders and produced a smart clear round inside the time; they now lie second in the CCI2* competition. Wellington’s Douglas Thomson on Marksman Arrow also finished on their dressage score.

The Australian team didn’t have the best of starts on the cross country when their first team rider Tegan Lush and Tempus Fugit  had a fall at fence six to be eliminated. Later in the class overnight leader Lauren Balcomb onKootamooto also came to grief, crashing out at fence 20. The remaining three team members went clear with Elizabeth Moore and Sebastian Bach collecting 12.4 time penalties to add to their dressage score. Jessica Manson on Legal Star and Crystal Conning on Marcus Aurelius now hold third and four respectively in the CCI2*.

Going in to tomorrow’s show jumping phase New Zealand will have a five rail advantage.

“I am absolutely delighted with all of them. It looks promising for the future,” said New Zealand team coach Tinks Pottinger.

Pottinger gave credit to the course designer, Nick Pyke, for producing a course that forced the riders to think, know their lines and ride boldly.

“We said before it started we didn’t want it to be a dressage competition and it hasn’t.”

While Pottinger was pleased to be going in to the show jumping with an advantage, it was only five rails and anything was possible. The team also had to get through the trot up (vet inspection) tomorrow morning.

In the NZCT CIC3*, which concluded today, Matamata’s Sam Taylor took the honours on DV8 after producing a strong cross country performance, followed by a fault-free show jumping. West Melton’s Emily Butcher finished second with Transcend, with Brent Jury and SE Big, third.

Taylor’s good run continued in the Devi Heating Systems CCI1* with youngster Leo Degas to be in pole position heading into tomorrow’s show jumping with just a rail in hand over Emily Butcher on Dambala. Palmerston North’s Katherine Gillaly is sitting third with Brogan.

Queenstown’s Ellie Braddock on Order of the Phoenix and Courtney Melhopt on Willie Doo II lead the two Training divisions, while Ashburton’s Monica Archibald on Spectacular Trio heads the hotly contested PacificVet Pre Training.

RESULTS AFTER CROSS COUNTRY – Trans Tasman Young Rider Challenge (top 3 scores count) – New Zealand, 165.4, 1; Australia, 187.8, 2.

Tavern Harewood CCI2* - Larissa Srhoy (Ashburton), 50, 1; Ashleigh McKinstry (Taumaruni), Pioneer Makokomiko, 55.4, 2; Jessica Manson (Australia), Legal Star, 56.1, 3; Crsytal Conning (Australia), Marcus Aurelius, 4.

Devi Heating System CC11* - Sam Taylor (Waikato), Leo Degas, 53.3, 1; Emily Butcher (Canterbury), Dambala, 60.1, 2; Katherine Gillaly (Palmertson North), Brogan, 66.4, 3; Susie Stewart (Canterbury), Cowboy, 67.1, 4.

Striding Edge Horse Shoeing Pre Novice – Amanda Brown (Cantebury), Chinwag, 30.8, 1; James Avery (Canterbury), Amarillo, 35.5, 2; Eve Hawes (West Coast), Hurlingham Lansong, 35.5, 3; Lauren Enright (Canterbury), Tokyo Road, 36.3, 4.

FINAL RESULTS:

NZ Community Trust CIC3* - Sam Taylor (Matamata), DV8, 66.4, 1; Emily Butcher (Canterbury), Transcend, 83, 2; Brent Jury (Canterbury), SE Big, 99.6, 3.

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