Aucklander Simon Gordon and Fletch.com, the only combination to showjump clear and
inside the time, improving from ninth place after the dressage to third overnight, have had
the biggest win of their career, taking the Bell Tea CIC3* Eventing title at the Horse of
the Year Show in Hastings over the weekend.
John Nicholson’s cross-country course at the Hawkes Bay Equestrian Park provided high
drama. There were plenty of thrills and a few spills, but no injuries other than pride. The
overnight leaders, Donna Smith, Te Kauwhata, and Balmoral Sensation, pulled up
between the third and fourth fence as the horse was not listening to the rider, and he will
be ridden in a different bit in future.
Second placed Emily Cammock, Christchurch, withdrew Dambala, who is returning after
injury, before the cross-country as she was worried the hard ground, although it had been
watered and aerated, could cause a recurrence of the problem. Gordon produced one of
eleven clear rounds on Fletch.com with 4.8 time penalties to complete on a score of 61.1
penalties.
Young rider Ashleigh McKinstry, Taumarunui, was second on Pioneer Makokomiko with
7.2 time penalties for a final score of 71 penalties, ahead of Bryce Newman, Bulls, on
Bates Trademark who incurred 11.2 time penalties to finish on 77.4..Donna Smith had
some consolation with her younger horse Balmoral Tangolooma taking fourth place
having added 10 time penalties for a final score of 81.7.
Twelve of the eighteen starters completed, with two riders eliminated after falling at the
second last fence, so the big crowd who filled every shady spot on the course were
treated to an exciting spectacle, even though the two leaders were disappointingly
withdrawn.
McKinstry’s second place has elevated her to the top of the Bell Tea Super League,
which means she now leads both the Massey University Young Rider Series, where she
cannot be beaten, as well as the elite series, both of which culminate at the NRM Threeday
Event at Taupo in May.
She is a member of the Trans-Tasman squad, and hoping for selection as she has ridden
in the NZ Young Rider team which has beaten Australia on several occasions. 23 year old
Gordon is also a former Trans-Tasman representative at both Young and Senior rider
level, so is also in the frame for selection.
BELL TEA SUPER LEAGUE
Standings after HOY CIC3* Eventing:
Ashleigh McKinstry, Taumaranui, Pioneer Makokomiko, 205.5 pts; Donna Smith, Te
Kauwhata, Just Chocolate, 188 pts; Simon Gordon, Auckland, Fletch.com, 167.5 pts;
Bryce Newman, Bulls, Bates Trademark, 101.5 pts.
