Samantha Felton riding Ricker Ridge Escada Photo courtesy Barbara Thomson Photography (Trewey Black)
The autumn portion of the year long ESNZ Eventing Super League kicks off at Puhinui (Auckland) this weekend, with a field of up-and-comers hoping to catch the selectors’ attention as they look for a squad to prepare for the Oceania Championship at the NRM Three-day Event at Taupo in May.
The field of seven in the Honda CIC3* (short format) class does not include the three combinations at the top of the Super League table, so this is a chance to close the gap on the leaders before the Land Rover Eventing at the Farmlands Horse of the Year a fortnight later.
Super League leader Fraser King has suffered a broken foot so is unlikely to compete in the immediate future, and Donna Smith’s Tangolooma is rehabilitating after a minor injury in the Honda CCI3* (long format) at Puhinui in December. Rumour has it that Fraser may also be heading to Germany to compete in the CCI4* at Luhmuhlen in May
Similarly NZ High Performance squad members Clarke Johnstone and Balmoral Sensation will start in the HOY Eventing, but with an overseas trip on the agenda this year they are targeting a limited number of high profile events.
Development squad members Samantha Felton, Matangi, on Ricker Ridge Escada, and Virginia Thompson, Kaukapakapa, on Star Nouveau, will want to impress, as will Young Rider Francesca Silver, Martinborough, on Case In Point, tackling her first CIC3* competition.
Diane Gilder, Hamilton, on Your Attorney, is also stepping up after consistently successful 2* performances, while Monica Oakley, Waipukurau, on Fontain, is returning after time out for injury. Shelley Ross, Helensville, on Coleraine Coaltown, has good form from limited outings, while Glenda Thomson, Auckland, on Private Benjamin, could spring a surprise.
Super League standings after Puhinui CCI3*:
Fraser King, Nadal, 141 pts; Donna Smith, Tangolooma, 105 pts; Clarke Johnstone, Balmoral Sensation, 96 pts; Samantha Felton, Ricker Ridge Escada, 51 pts; Emily Cammock, Dambala, 48 pts; Matthew Grayling, NRM Lowenberg, 48 pts.
