Sam Taylor and Leo Degas continue their success in 2014 Photo: Annie Studholme
Eventing Canterbury's autumn season got underway in earnest yesterday at the NZ National Equestrian Centre (NEC) at McLeans Island.
Disappointingly, small classes dominated the higher levels. Swanannoa veterinarian Sam Taylor came through to win the four-strong CNC2* with Leo Degas, adding just 9.2 cross country time penalties to his dressage score to finish on 44 penalties. Giles Gormack and Lucero finished second on 71.9. Of the other starters, Sophie Abbott retired on the cross country after a fall from Time To Tango Too late in the course, while Ellie Braddock and Miss Matilda had a nasty fall in the showjumping while leading the class.
Amberley's Nicole Champan was a runaway victor in the CNC1* aboard Stars Ransom, finishing more than 50 penalties clear of second-placed Stephen Montgomery on Aqua, with the class marred by withdrawals and eliminations.
Meanwhile, the inaugural Thoroughbreds in Equestrian Sport (TiES) South Island qualifier, which was also run at CNC1* level, was won by Cam Robertson on his nine-year-old Sakura Seeking mare Black Ink.
Launched jointly by Equestrian Sports NZ (ESNZ) and New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) to boost second careers for thoroughbreds retiring from racing, six started the TiES class. Lying fourth after dressage, Robertson moved up to take the lead with clear jumping, adding just 2.8 penalties to his score. Claudia Wilson was second on Citadelle with Kirsten Beaven and Rv Dreamcatcher third. The win gives Roberston the chance to compete in the TiES eventing final at the NRM National Three Day Event at Taupo in May.
The cross country weighed heavily on the results of the hotly-contested CNC 105 with no combinations making the time allowed, and more than half eliminated. Stephanie Forsyth (Kaiapoi) was the eventual winner with Duett Diva, with Katie Rankin (Oxford) and Ted E Bare II victorious in the CNC 95. The two CNC 80 divisions were won by Jenny Turner (Christchurch) on Ahuriri Dusk and Kathy Menzies (Hastings) on Simply Gorgeous.
The day also marked the final area trial for pony club riders seeking team nominations for the upcoming NZPCA Horse Trials Championships. Courtney Davis and Dunrobin Sante Fe won the A1 class run over the CNC105 track, with the DC (also over the CNC 105 track) to Amalia Rowley and Starburst, while Alena Reading won the 95 on China Arrow.
Results:
CNC2*- Sam Taylor (Swanannoa) Leo Degas 44, 1; Giles Gormack (Amberley) Lucero, 71.9, 2.
CNC1*- Nicole Chapman (Amberley) Stars Ransom, 40.7, 1; Stephen Montgomery (Christchurch) Aqua, 90.5, 2.
TiES CNC 1*- Cam Robertson (Rangiora) Black Ink, 42.6, 1; Claudia Wilson (Christchurch) Citadelle, 46.3, 2; Kirsten Beaven (West Melton) Rv Dreamcatcher, 47.5, 3; Courtney Davis (Waipara) By Hoki, 43.4, 4.
CNC 105 - Stephanie Forsyth (Kaiapoi) Duett Diva, 53.2, 1; Todd Magner (Hokitika) Kwahaka Concorde, 53.5, 2; Kerry Smith (Abbotsford) My Orlando, 56.2, 3; Brent Jury (Cust) SE Back To Black, 56.4, 4.
CNC 95 - Katie Rankin (Oxford) Ted E Bare II, 24.8, 1; Grace O'Sullivan (Rangiora) Sports Cafe, 24.8, 2; Victoria Levey (Christchurch) Airplay, 29, 3; Ellie Braddock (Rangiora) Braxton Boy, 31.6, 4.
CNC 80a - Jenny Turner (Christchurch) Ahuriri Dusk, 35.3, 1; Emma Simpson (Oamaru) La Bella Vida, 35.8, 2; Rowan Campbell (Christchurch) Redford, 40.5, 3; Larissa Srhoy (Loburn) Rocky, 40.6, 4.
CNC 80b - Kathy Menzies (Hastings) Simply Gorgeous, 27.4, 1; Benjamin Rowley (Timaru) Innocent Eyes, 36.3, 2; Megan Harrison (Ashburton) Fancy Bow And Arrrow, 37.9, 3; Maggie Nicholls (West Melton) Bellwood Raja, 38.4, 4.
PC A1 Area Trialists - Courtney Davis (Waipara) Dunrobin Sante Fe, 38.5, 1; Jessie Fitzjohn (Christchurch) What's The Buzz, 41, 2; Emily Wingham (Ashburton) Queen of Jazz, 88.9, 3.
PC DC Area Trialists - Amalia Rowley (Timaru) Starburst, 28.9, 1; Maria van Kuijk (Clarkville) Antara Whiskey Mac, 39, 2; Grace O'Sullivan (Rangiora) Halcyon Motzart, 40.7, 3; Molli Thacker Banks Peninsula) Happy Go Lucky, 67.5, 4.
PC 95 Area Trialists - Alena Reading (Oamaru) China Arrow, 43, 1; Paige Hardwick (Christchurch) Ivanoff, 46.7, 2; Abriele Morse (Timaru) Wembkeybrook O'Driscoll, 46.9, 3; Stephanie Jasperse (Dunedin) Inspector Gadget, 50.4, 4.
Article by Annie Studholme
