Emily Cammock is bringing two horses to Kihikihi
The cream of New Zealand’s elite eventers head to the Kihikihi International Horse Trials this weekend, with thirteen to contest the Waipa Home of Champions CIC3* class, seeking to test themselves over John Nicholson’s highly regarded cross-country course as well as collect ESNZ Eventing Super League points.
Such is the attraction of Kihikihi, Cantabrian Emily Cammock is bringing two horses up from the South Island. One of the country’s most experienced eventers, having competed in Australia, England, and America, Cammock is keen to test her current crop of top horses over Nicholson’s challenging track, and measure them against the stronger competition in the North Island.
Katharine Van Tuyl and Double J Sunshine can be expected to produce another consistent performance as they take on the 3* track at Kihikihi for the first time, while Andy Daines will be hoping for another performance like his Farmlands Horse of the Year outing, where he placed second on Spring Panorama in the Land Rover CIC3* behind Clarke Johnstone and Balmoral Sensation.
Last year’s winners, Abby Lawrence and Pseudonym, will not be defending their title, but Diane Gilder and Your Attorney, who were second last year, will be hoping for better luck than they had at the Farmlands HOY, where they exited the dressage arena backwards after the horse was spooked by a camera.
Talent Development squad member Amanda Pottinger can be expected to set the standard in Friday’s dressage with Just Kidding. The horse will face his biggest test yet over the internationally renowned cross-country track on Saturday, but they are still sorting out their showjumping, so Sunday could be the real challenge.
With just two events left in the year long Super League series following Kihikihi, and all the minor placings within striking distance of the major money, their is sure to be keen competition for series points, as well as the satisfaction of meeting the challenges provided by one of the world’s leading course designers.
Article by Virginia Caro
