The Bell Tea Super League will start to take shape following events in both the North and South Islands this coming weekend. The Advanced class at the South Island Eventing Championships at McLeans Island, Christchurch, has been added to the series after adjustments were made to comply with Super League conditions, giving “mainlanders” their first opportunity to earn series points.
However the Fiber Fresh CIC3* class at Woodhill Sands, Helensville, will have the most influence in the series so far, being the third series event in the North Island, and run under FEI rules, which earn 50% higher points.
There are three entries for the McLeans Island event, meaning all must start as the minimum number of starters for a Super League class is three. It will be a “winner takes all” situation, with only the first place earning major points, although there are minimal points for a qualifying completion.
Two of the entrants are Annabel Wigley’s well performed horses, NRM Frog Rock and NRM Enzo, both of whom had top placings in the North Island during the autumn. Frog Rock won the Horse of the Year title at Hastings in March, and Wigley, from Amberley, placed second and third with them at the NRM Three-day Event at Taupo in May.
The third is young rider Katie Rankin, Ohoka, who had her first advanced start on Time To Tango Too earlier this season. She will be hoping to increase her Massey University Young Rider series points as well as break into the Super League, to join other NZ Young Rider team members, Ashleigh McKinstry, Owhango, on Pioneer Makokomiko, and Jessica Woods, Ohaupo, on Too Predictable, neither of whom is competing at Woodhill Sands.
There are eight entries in the CIC3* class at Woodhill Sands, including the winner of the Bell Tea Super League last year, Christen Hayde, Pukekohe, and Tandarra Sweet As. Former internationals Donna Smith, Waerenga, has three horses entered, Just Chocolate, Henton Executive, and Balmoral Sensation, while Heelan Tompkins, New Plymouth, has two, Cortaflex Up N Go and Cortaflex Ski Whistler.
- Virginia Caro
